PUBLISHER'S PREFACE

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Man performs material deeds. We can evaluate such deeds. Man sometimes performs immaterial deeds. We cannot evaluate them. Rather, it is Allah, the Exalted, Who evaluates them and rewards man according to them. The deeds of the pure Imams, peace be upon them, were immaterial. Hence, we have no right to evaluate them, for they are far above evaluation. We only publish and submit them to people to make use of them.

Gentle reader, the book before you has been written by Sheikh Baqir Sharif al- Qarashi, who spared no effort to report the history of the members of the House (ahl-al-Bayt), peace be upon them. Mr. Jasim al-Rasheed has honestly translated the book from Arabic in to English.

The book is not a mere writting about the life of one of the Imams, peace be upon them. Rather, it has skillfully been written about the history of Islam. So, we thank Allah for granting us success to translate and print and publish this valuable book.

We hope that the book will intercede with Allah for us on the Day of Judgment, The day on which property will not avail, nor sons except him who comes to Allah with a heart free (from evil).

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Surely Allah chose Adam and Noah and the descendants of Abraham and the descendants of Amran above the nations. Offspring, one of the other, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it except love for my near relatives. And whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.

Dedication

I dedicate (this book) to you .... oh you who spread knowledge and light in the earth.

To you, oh Apostle of Allah
To you, oh you who were the Last of the Prophets.

This humble book is about the life of your grandson, Imam Mohammed al-Baqir. You called him Mohammed and gave him the nick-name as Baqir al-Ilm (the one who splits open knowledge).
Thus, he renewed your religion and enlivened your practices (sunna).

Therefore, no one is worthier of this dedication than you.
Accept this and be kind to me through your pleasure. So, it will be my provision on the day when I meet Allah.