The Preamble (al-Tamhid)

It was narrated by the trustworthy youth, Abu Sa'id Maymun ibn al-Qasim al-Tabarani (may God be pleased with him), who said:

"Abu al-Hasan Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Ishaq al-Jahmidi narrated to me in the city of Tripoli, Syria, on Sunday, with two nights remaining in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, in the year three hundred and ninety-eight (398 AH). He said: Abu ‘Abdullah al-Husayn bin Hamdan al-Khasibi (may God brighten his face) narrated to me, saying: Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali bin al-Qasim al-Ahwazi narrated to us, saying: ‘Abdullah bin Muhammad narrated to us, saying: Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah bin Mihran narrated to me, saying: Muhammad bin Sinan (peace be upon him) narrated to me, saying:

I entered upon my Master, the Knower (al-‘Alim)—mighty is His glory—and with him was a group of the Gnostics (al-‘Arifin) who had attained Monotheism (al-Tawhid) outwardly and inwardly, in secret and in public. I greeted them, and they returned my greeting. Then my Master (mighty is His glory) said to me: 'What is your need?'

I said: 'O my Master, the knowledge of the Arab and non-Arab (Persian) festivals has become difficult for me, as well as the days mentioned by God—exalted be His Name—in His Book. So, bestow upon me the favor of knowing that.