DISCOURSES & TALKS BY MEHER BABA

TRANSFERRING POWER BETWEEN SADGURUS

Early February, 1923

Ghani then asked why an authorization in writing — known as sanad-e-vilayat — is required prior to a saint's being put in charge of a spiritual jurisdiction. He cited the incident of the Mohammedan saint, Ali Ahmed Sabir, who was ordered by his Master to obtain the authority of his sainthood signed and have it endorsed by another Master, Hazrat Jamal Hansvi, prior to assuming his duty as the chargeman of the town of Kalyar (near Roorkee). 

Baba gave this explanation:

A signed letter or document is one of the ways of transferring the spiritual charge externally. During my last four months in Sakori, I myself had to take the charge from Upasni Maharaj in writing. The [government] stamped paper and other agreements I have dictated and had executed from the mandali, although not as important as the sanad-e-vilayat, still are not without deep meaning and spiritual significance.

The spiritual transfer of power and authority that takes place between a Master and disciple must always be symbolized by giving it a concrete external form. Among Mohammedan walis and pirs, such saints invariably give their chosen chargemen the "robe" of chargemanship in the form of some wearing apparel, like a cap, a turban, an apron, or some other such tangible token.

Lord Meher On-line page 385

Lord Meher Vol.2 p.480