If I have succeeded in my aim...

If I have succeeded in my aim, all praise is due to Allah; and if I have not, it is sufficient that I have tried "and my success is not but from Allah, and in Him I place my trust and to Him I turn." I had the privilege of reading some chapters of this book to my respected father (may Allah prolong his life) during his stay with me in London when he came for treatment. His guidance has indeed enriched this book.

I pray to the Almighty Allah that He may accept this work with a good acceptance I am grateful to those who helped me in completing this book. I would like to especially thank His Eminence the Grand Ayatullah as-Sayyid 'Ali al-Hussaini as-Seestani (may Allah prolong his blessed presence) who took upon himself the trouble to provide the answers to the questions.

I am also grateful to the offices of the Grand Ayatullah in Najaf [Iraq], Qum [Iran], and London for helping me in ensuring the accuracy of what I have written and in ensuring that it is in accordance with the views of the Ayatullah. "Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord! Do not lay on us a burden as Thou did lay on those before us. Our Lord!

Do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us. Thou are our Master, so help us against the unbelieving people." 'Abdul Hadi as-Sayyid Muhammad Taqi al-Hakim 27 Ramadhan 1418 / 26 January 1998 Previous…