They summon each other to goodness and beneficence...

They summon each other to goodness and beneficence; they advise each other to follow the truth; they counsel each other to persevere in truth's way. They take care of each other. Just like the example we gave earlier of ten mountain climbers who are busy in climbing a mountain. They are scaling treacherous mountain tops. If any of them loses a rock under his feet, it would be enough to toss him head first down deep in the crevice.

In such circumstances there is only one way of surviving for all of them. They tie their waists securely with one rope; hold each other's hands and keep calling from time to time, "are you OK; you are not lost, are you? Have you fallen back? Are you hungry". Similarly the members of Islamic society stay fully aware of each other. They stay vigilant to ensure that none of their members is weak ideologically, materially and in recognizing the truth.

If they find someone like that among themselves, they try to guide him and put him back on the right track. In short, put together a household where everyone is totally sincere to the other person. This was one of the manifestations of Wilayat found in an Islamic society. Need for a Wali (Guardian) in an Islamic Society Another manifestation of Wilayat that is the most important and that ensures the existence of Wilayat itself, is the presence of a strong central leadership in the society.

The rationale is that the Islamic society should be like a single body whose different organs are connected and bonded to each other and act like a closed fist against external elements. Such unity and focus cannot be achieved without a central force that organizes them. So if different segments of the Islamic society are governed by different and independent forces, the organs of this body will be separated from each other and will cease to stay focused on one path.

It will be as if the nervous system of a human body is controlled by two centers - one for the right side and the other for the left side. In this situation to achieve anything the right and left sides will not work together. As an example, to lift a weight, right hand will be ready but left hand may not be ready and it may clench its fist.

Hence, if the human nervous system receives commands from two separate controls, the body will be disturbed and to do anything or to survive an enemy's attack, it will acquire a humorous posture and will not be able to stay safe from an enemy's wickedness.