And even if I am not like the scholars who preceded me, I have looked into their compositions, pondered their interpretations, and traced their footsteps until I became like one of them in belief, even if I am not like one of them in the vastness of knowledge and striving (Ijtihad). Therefore, I desired to author from their compilations...

what I knew of their belief in the esoteric aspects of acts of worship (Bawatin al-'Ibadat) and the negation of belief in their exoteric aspects (Zawahirha). And that is for the sake of clarifying the truth and extinguishing falsehood, and to remove ambiguity from those among the believers who do not know their truths. Also, in response to the question of the asker—may God pardon him—and acting upon His Almighty's saying: {But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it]}. (Ad-Duha: 11), and by his (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever is called, let him answer."

And it has been narrated from the Master (al-Mawla) al-Sadiq, from him is peace, that he said: "If your believing brother asks you for a need, hasten to fulfill it before he dispenses with it, for in that is your salvation." And I believe that the religious need is better than the worldly need by many folds, because the worldly need is only for the physical bodies (Ajsam), while the religious need is specifically for the spirits (Arwah).

And I hope from my believing masters who review what I have authored, explained, and clarified, that they have mercy upon me for