Preface
Moral Lessons From The Past Of Others
The Holy Qur’an reads:
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
"In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding." (Surah Yusuf, 12:111).
It is a well-known fact that human nature is attracted to the stories of others and what all has passed on the former people. Everyone is interested in stories from History. That is why story-telling has always been a popular profession. In this period also, majority of publications are in fact exciting and romantic stories, which are completely fabricated or fictional tales translated from foreign books. It is amazing that although everyone is aware that all these are fictional, they are still read and heard with deep eagerness and interest; and it is only due to the fact that human nature is basically inclined to stories and past histories. However, this inclination can be employed in the right way and excessive benefit can be derived from it.
Moral lessons can be obtained to awaken the consciences from sleep of unawareness and maximum advantage can be gained in this regard without resorting to fictional stories. Lessons can be learnt from the past of others. The Holy Qur’an has often mentioned stories and incidents of the bygone age. People of Aad and Thamud, Nuh, Firon and Lut are mentioned in many places and their evil consequences are discussed and others are advised to be apprehensive of such circumstances. It is said again and again:
وَلَقَدْ تَرَكْنَاهَا آيَةً فَهَلْ مِنْ مُدَّكِرٍ
According to Qur’an, the history of Prophet Yusuf ('a) and his brothers is the best of the stories:
نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ الْقَصَصِ
It says at the end of this Surah:
لَقَدْ كَانَ فِي قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
"In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding." (Surah Yusuf 12:111)
That is every intelligent being takes lesson from their past, and learns about the consequences of deeds and rewards and punishment of their acts in this world, so that he may himself steer clear from the path of mistakes.
There are many instances of how the prophets displayed forbearance in hardships and difficulties and how their sincerity and steadfastness helped in achieving their aims.
Every story in Qur’an is having a moral. For example: advices of Hakim Luqman to his son.2
Or the secrets of creation and hidden wisdoms mentioned in the story of Prophet Musa ('a) and Khizr ('a).3 In the same way, good effects of charity and alms for the sake of Almighty are also explained in the best way in different stories.
In this book, every story is having an extraordinary benefit and a moral; as human nature is attracted to that which has passed on others, especially when the stories are true.
Belief In The Unseen
Another subject worthy of attention is that the foundation of Islam is based on creation and resurrection and other issues beyond human perception, which in terminology are called as 'unseen', although majority of people believe in matters beyond human perception - a stronger faith is more proximate to God.
One of the ways of increasing faith in unseen is through true dream, which is a medium connecting human soul to the world beyond perception. Thus, those who have true dreams develop more faith in the unseen and those who hear and believe them also develop more faith in the unseen.
Since many stories of this book are based on true dreams supported by external testimonies, they are more noteworthy and beneficial, since readers know that they are related by persons of the present age and are not lies or fiction.
On the basis of this, the reader better understands the world beyond the world of matter and nature and his belief in resurrection etc. becomes stronger. Therefore, this book helps in strengthening Islamic beliefs and faith in the unseen.
Miracles Of The Holy Imams ('A) In The Present Age - Stronger Belief And Connection With The Imams
Among the specialties of this book is that most of its stories are regarding miracles of Ahl ul-Bayt ('a), which occurred in the present age and the reader will strengthen his belief and reliance on this family, as a result of which he would not be affected by negative propaganda of impostors and will not stray from the right path and religion of truth.
As a result of their blessings, he would become more connected to them and get sufficient benefits, since he realizes how they fulfill the needs of all and also their love, which is the basis of religion, would increase among readers.
Refraining From Despair
Among the benefits of this book is that a person who is fed up of life and has despaired of success or has fallen into extraordinary hardships, by reading these stories, his hopes in his Lord will increase and he would become eager to join divine mercy. He will prepare the provisions for future journey and make up for his past deeds; thus disagreeable matters would not trouble him.
Lastly it is hoped that this book would be beneficial for all and that readers would gain sufficient benefit for it and we would get divine opportunity (Tawfiq) to make future editions also available for all.
Sayyid Muhammad Hashim Dastghaib
Shiraz, 18th Ramadhan – 18/9/47
