Owing to the two above-mentioned points...

Owing to the two above-mentioned points, we have decided to summarize the Islamic principles and commandments with our stress on some specialties on the Shia sect; to provide writing with the following objectives: That it may consist of a concise of the whole, so as to save readers from being forced to read voluminous books; The discussions be clear cut, and void of difficult technical words used by the experts without diminishing the main subjects; Our main object is to mention the beliefs but not to ignore providing reasons where necessary; Our proofs are taken from the Holy Qur’an, traditions and logical reasoning; The book may be free of concealments, flattery courtesies and pre-judgments; Modesty and the rules of etiquette be observed in relation to all religions and sects.

I wrote this text during my pilgrimage to Mecca, in which the spirit has more purity and pleasantness. It was discussed in several meetings with the scholars and learned and after much investigation it was finalized for publication. We hope to reach the goals mentioned above and have this book a protection on the day of resurrection. "Our lord! We have heard the call of one calling us to faith 'Believe you in the lord' and we have believed. Our lord! Forgive us our sins.

Blot out from us our iniquities, and take to yourself our souls in the company of the righteous." (Holy Qur’an, 3:193). Qum, School of Imam ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib Nasir Makarim Shirazi…