With the passing of each day a new golden page prepared by the powerful and competent hand of Sayyid Radi was being added to the luminous Islamic History. With this fluent pen and profound knowledge, he offered outstanding and valuable services such as: wrote Commentary of the Holy Qur’an, prepared a Jurisprudence book regarding Divine commands by quoting many authentic narrations, introduced hidden treasures of Islamic learning through his poetic verses and lofty elegiac poems, and accepted heavy religious, political, and social responsi- bilities.

But in spite of doing all the above he still felt a sort of incompleteness within his existence as though he has been created by the Creator for undertaking a great mission. He must utilize the existing opportunities with best of his abilities for introducing the authenticity of Shi’i School of thought or in other words the real Islam to the mankind.

Sayyid Radi knew it very well that Resalat (Prophetic mission or message) without Imamat (the Divine successorship of Prophet Muhammad S. by the twelve sinless Imams) is not complete; the city of knowledge of Prophet (S) without the existence of Imam Ali (‘a), remains a city without a gate, and without the existence of an impeccable personality (assigned by God) the Heavenly Book remains without an interpreter.

Therefore, he must move forward by taking the giant steps for completing the task, which earlier could not be accomplished by his predecessors because of lack of proper opportunities.

With the above Divinely motivation Sharif Radi started the great historical task, by utilizing his unique natural talents and acquired knowledge of various religious disciplines; took his enlightened pen for completing the famous book “Commentary of the Sun” Tafseer Aftab.1

He himself writes:

“Since my, youth when the life was at the peak freshness and valor, I started writing the book titled: “the Special Characteristics of sinless Imams (‘a)” (Khasayas vizqehai Imeh A.S.) which contained interesting and important narrations from them. After collecting the special characteristics of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (‘a) the prevailing conditions and difficulties of life prevented me completion. That book was divided into various chapters and sections and also, the short sayings of Imam Ali (‘a), especially regarding admonition, wisdom, ethics, and analogies were included in the end of the book.

Some of my friend found it interesting and exciting from various dimensions and requested me to complete a book containing important sermons of Imam Ali (‘a) delivered at different occasions as well as his letters written about various matters. Since they knew that such a book, if compiled would be containing the richest examples of eloquence of literary Arabic lectures as well as the most luminous points of religious and worldly sermons, which so far had not been compiled in any other book. Because Imam Ali (‘a) is the source and fountainhead of eloquence, a perfect manifestation of its mysteries, and the creator of its principles and Grammar.

All the announcers and speakers follow him, and all the orators narrate from his sermons, because his words are accompanied with Divine and prophetic knowledge and wisdom.

I accepted their request and started the collection of this great book, while remaining confident that very soon, everything will be overshadowed by its brilliance; it would become a thing of spiritual advantage and gains for others, and its reward (from God) will become the next world's treasure for me."2

• 1. Commentary by Professor Muhammad Rida Hakim.
• 2. Sayyid Radi’s preface of Nahj al-Balaghah.