Socio Political Thought Of Shah WaliAllah Rahmatullahi Alaihi

SECTION XVIII
The Establishment of IrtgGqGt and the
Reformation of Customs
150. In the preceding chapters, we have made explicit or implicit reference
to the fact that the second and the third stages of irtqiiq (social
development) are an inseparable part of the instinctive nature of human
beings whereby they are distinguished from the rest of animal
species. It is impossible that human beings should eschew them, or
disregard them altogether. For the attainments of these stages of irtijiiq,
in many respects, they are in need of a wise man, who is fully
aware of human needs and the manner of serving those needs, on a
collective scale. Such a wise man is always strongly motivated by
the considerations of the universal weal. Either he infers his ideas
through contemplation and observation; or by virtue of instinctive
possession of an angelic force he becomes receptive to the communication
of a definite knowledge from the higher assembly. The
latter constitutes more complete and authentic source of acquiring
this knowledge.
151. It should also be borne in mind that social conventions have the same
relation to the irtqiiqiit as the heart to the body. Sometimes evil elements
dominate these conventions through the ascendancy of a group
of people who, being impervious to universal intelligence, are apt to
go for savage, perverted and diabolical pursuits, and popularize them
in the society. The result is that most people start following them.
Moreover, evil elements infiltrate into the conventions from other
sources also. Therefore, the need arises for a strong personality who
is supported by the unseen world is motivated by the dictates of universal
weal, and can set the pattern of these conventions on the right
course through sagacious measures. Most often only those individuals
who are supported by the holy spirit are guided to these wise
measures