بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

When was busy for the second time writing Introduction to the Holy Qur’an translated by my friend, Mr. Mir Ahmed Ali, the Late Mr. Mohammad Ali Khurasani, an internal auditor of P.IA., suggested to me that I dictate to him a brief outline of the fundamentals of Islam according to the Shi’a faith. Every now and then, whenever he had the opportunity, he took dictation from me.

Hardly had we finished the work, God deprived me of this sincere and zealous friend whose ambition was to introduce the teachings of the Shi’a school of thought in the English language. The religious zeal of Mr. Khurasani was not confined to him alone, his wife equally shared his love and devotion for the propagation of truth.

The mutual zeal of both husband and wife in achieving this holy aim was an important asset for our mission. Unfortunately, for some time, the shock of her husband's death brought the work to a standstill. However, the whole work is the result of initiation of the interest of the husband and wife, and I have no option but to dedicate this work to them and pray to God to bless them both for the services rendered by them for this cause.

Here I need to mention another friend of mine, Mr. Syed Mohammad Murtaza who has been assisting me ever since my undertaking to produce a new introduction to the Qur'an. Besides noting down my dictation, he has translated into Urdu this treatise, which is the first part of my religious work. I thank him for his sincere devotion, which was an encouragement for me to carry out the work, despite my indisposition.

I request my readers to go through this work with critical insight and inform me of any shortcoming whatsoever.

I must also thank my young typist, Mr. Mushtaq Ali. K. Laddhani, who performed his duties devotedly like the other members of our team for this holy cause. His services were placed with me by Messrs. Habib Esmail Benevolent Trust. The Trust is entirely responsible for this publication and is also well-known for its constant publication of religious literature, enlightening the faithful and others. The manifold services of this benevolent Trust in the propagation of the teachings of Ahl Al-Bayt need no introduction. As such, I have nothing to say but pray to God to bless them and all those philanthropists who are serving the sacred cause of Islam.

To me, the best rewards that devotees of Muhammad and Aali Muhammad (peace be on them) are enjoying now and shall continue to enjoy forever is the love of Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) and the infallible members of his house.

I am indebted to Pakistan Herlad Press (Job Section) for their close cooperation during the printing of this work.

Let me conclude with the couplet of Sa'adi:

سعدی اگر عاشقی کنی و جوانی

عشق محمد کیس است و آل محمد

Sa’adi, if you wish to enjoy the pleasures of love and evergreen blossom of life,

it is enough to absorb the love of Muhammad and Aali Muhammad.

No reward and pleasure of this life and hereafter are greater than this sublime and sacred love.

Haji Mirza Mehdi Pooya

Karachi - Pakistan

August 1971.