The relaters have likewise reported many short words of...

The relaters have likewise reported many short words of unparalleled references to these meanings and advantageous significances. I have not received any book that our Shiite scholars have authored regarding these meanings so that I might pursue its way of compilation and with which I might satisfy myself.

Thus, I compiled the words of such meanings and added to them their likes and matches from the fascinating reports and the good indications, seeking the favor of God, the Worthy of exalted praise, and asking for His rewards. I applied these words of wisdom, maxims, and instructions to myself first. This is because I hope for obtaining the rewards and I fear the penalty. Likewise, these words and maxims would alert me in the times of inadvertence and remind me in the times of oblivion.

I also expected that a faithful believer would look in them -after I would compile them in this book- and learn lessons from the maxims that he would understand and benefit by what he does not understand exactly. Hence, I will have a share in the rewards that he will get for his applying what he has learnt, since these words and maxims contain the principals as well as the secondary pillars of the religion in addition to the chapters and the general affairs of the right.

They also comprise the general ethics of the Sunna, the words of wisdom and deeds of the Imams (peace be upon them), the admirable advantages, and the excellent reports. I arranged the book according to the succession of the Imams (peace be upon them) before I moved to mention four commandments that conform to the book. I neglected the series of relations for simplification and brief.

However, most of the reports have been received directly because they are words of ethics and wisdom that they themselves witness their veracity. I did not compile this work for the dissidents and those who deny (the divine ranks of the Imams, peace be upon them), but I compile it for the use of the believers, who succumb to the Imams (peace be upon them), confess of their (supreme) standings, accede to their sayings, and refer to them in questions.

These meanings are too many to be counted and too wide to be banned. What we have previously mentioned is completely persuasive for those who have a heart or listen carefully. It is also sufficient for those who have minds. O followers of the Imams, Look deeply in what your Imams (peace be upon them) said and what they recommended and advised.