If there were not to remain after the occultation of your Qa’im from among the scholars, a person from among the proofs of Allah who would call [others] towards him (the Imam); represent him (the Imam); defend his (the Imam’s) religion; grant safety to the downtrodden servants of Allah from the evils of Iblis and the wickedness of the enemies [of the Ahlul Bayt], then there would not remain a single person [on Earth] except that he would have left the religion of Allah. But rather, these people (the Ulama) take it upon themselves to be the protectors of the hearts of our downtrodden Shi’a, just as the captain of a boat takes control of the lives and safety of those on his ship. Thus, these (the Ulama) are the people who are the best in the sight of Allah, the Noble and Great.