In the Name of Allah, the All-beneficent, the All-merciful

The legacy of the Household [Ahl al-Bayt ] of the Prophet (saws) stored in their school of thought and preserved by their followers, is comprehensive and embraces all branches of Islamic knowledge. This school has been able to produce brilliant scholars who have drawn inspiration from this rich and pure resource.

It has presented to the Muslimummah many scholars who, following in the footsteps of Imāms (as) who belong to the Prophet’s Household (Peace be upon them), have provided convincing answers to the questions and doubts raised by various schools and intellectual friends within and outside the Muslim nation. Throughout the past centuries, these scholars have given well reasoned answers and clarifications to these questions and doubts.

To meet the responsibilities assigned to it, theAhl al-Bayt World Assembly (ABWA) has undertaken to defend the Islamic message and its verities, often obscured by the followers of various sects and by the proponents of the trends which show hostility to Islam. The Assembly follows in the footsteps ofAhl al-Bayt (as) and the followers of their rightly guided school of thought which has been ready to confront these challenges and be in the frontline in consonance with the demands of every age.

The arguments contained in the works of the scholars belonging to the School of theAhl al-Bayt (as) are of unique significance because they are based on genuine knowledge, appeal to reason, and avoid prejudice and bias. These arguments address scholars and thinkers in a manner that appeals to minds and wholesome human nature.

To assist the seekers of truth, theAhl al-Bayt World Assembly has endeavoured to present a new phase of these rich arguments through the studies and translations of contemporary Shia writers and of those who have embraced this sublime school of thought through divine blessing.

The Assembly is also engaged in the edition and publication of the valuable works of the leading Shia scholars of earlier ages to assist the seekers of the truth to discover the truths which the School of the Prophet’s Household (P.b.u.th) has offered to the entire world.

TheAhl al-Bayt World Assembly looks forward to benefitting from the opinions suggestions and constructive criticism of the readers in this area.

We beseech God, the Most High, to accept our humble efforts and enable us to enhance them under the auspices of Imām al-Mahdī, His vicegerent on the earth (may Allah expedite his advent).

We express our gratitude to Mr. Rida Kardan the author of the present book, and Sayyid Iraj Razzaqi, its translator. We also thank our colleagues who have participated in producing this work, especially the staff of the Translation Office.

Cultural Affairs Department

The Ahl al-Bayt (as) World Assembly