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Introduction And Foreword

The Qur′an says,

"And cling firmly together by means of Allah's Strong Rope and be not divided among yourselves." (Qur′an; 3:103)

The verse instead of telling us to hold fast to Allah, it enjoins to hold fast to the cord of Allah. It shows that the cord of Allah is the Book revealed by Allah; it is the cord that joins the creature to his Lord. The aim of this verse is unity of the society. The words "all together" and "be not divided" point to this fact. The verse therefore orders the Muslim society to be united by holding fast to the Book and the true Sunnah.

Muslims must terminate their chaos and lift the veil from their vision so that they might go back to the roots of their religion as they are enjoined to do. It is only then that they will be able to make their strides to uphold the Rope of Allah all together under the banner, which calls unto them to educate themselves and behave as dutiful Brethren strengthening each other.

In order to be united, we must first know each other, because people are enemies of their ignorance. The Qur′an says,

"Most of them just follow conjecture; indeed conjecture is no substitute for the truth… Rather, they deny that whose knowledge they do not comprehend, and whose explanation has not yet come to them. Those who were before them denied likewise." (Qur′an; 10: 36-39)

Therefore, the Book of Allah invites to research, and this is its slogan. The Qur′an says,

"Give the glad news to those of Our servants who listen to the words and follow the best ones. Tell them that they are those whom God has guided. They are the people of understanding." (Qur′an; 39:18)

Then as a research method, the Qur'an states that there must be evidence for every claim,

"Say, Produce your evidence, should you be truthful." (Qur′an; 2:111)

However, what is seen at this time among believers is hatred and hostility due to lack of knowledge about each other. This, indeed, is enough reason for worry, which calls for contemplation.

For this reason, in all these years, I have been trying to introduce God's religion correctly and in a simple and concise manner (in my writings). Even the present book is a brief account of a detailed book1, which is the result of a correspondence between two Shi′a and Sunni scholars. The purpose of this book is to introduce Shi′a based on Sunni sources.

It has been tried to deal with the issue by looking into the arguments of both groups in order to comprehend them, without being motivated by personal inclinations derived from environment, habit, or custom. The aim of the book is to reach the truth from its generally acclaimed route, and touch upon it. This may attract the attention of Muslims; bring tranquility of mind with its decided facts.

This is a book for those who are eager to sift Shi′as' trends and attempt to know their inclinations. This book will quench their thirst (God willing) and they will found the Shi′a a pleasant fragrance to sit with.

This is a book for those who really search for the truth, and I hope dear readers swim in it and dive deeply in pursuit of its jewels, so that the truth be manifest and deserve to be followed.

The end of my words is,

"All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds." (Qur'an, 10:10)