ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Shi'a The Publishers In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful This is one of the valueable works of 'Allamah Tabataba'i which is being printed and presented to its admirers, by the help of Allah, for the fifth time. The fifth edition is being published at the time when 'Allamah Tabataba'i has accepted the call of Allah and is no more among us, and no doubt his death has grieved everyone.

'Allamah Tabataba'i was a great and unique person, free from want, fefined and a commentator of the !ur'an. He was one of the shinning stars of the Islamic world, a man whose profound and gnostical ideas and valueable works had a deep influence in clearifying the Islamic teachings. In the Islamic world in general and among the Muslim scholars in particular he was known as 'Allamah (the most learned), Philsuf (philosopher), Mufassir (the interpretor of the Qur'an), Ayatullah (the sing of Allah).

But as the days pass it is becoming more manifest that these words of respect are not able to reflect the great persona lity of the 'Allamah in all of its dimen sions. If someone studies his behaviours, his way of life, his scientific works, his profound ideas, his sincerity and his unprecedent knowledge, he will surely come to the conclusion that without real connection with the al-Mighty Allah, His Pro phet and the Ahlu'l Bayt no one can have such a grace and favour.

"He (Allah) gives the Wisdom to whomsoever He will, and who so is given the Wisdom has been given much good." (Qui'an 2:269) Imam Khomayni mourned the 'Allamah in the following words: "I express my sorrow at the loss which occured for the Hauza-e Ilmia (the centre of Islamic Studies, Qum) and the Muslims by the death of the late 'Allamah Tabataba'i9 I pay my condelences to you the nation of Iran and the Hauza-e Ilmia.

May Allah rise him (on the day of Resurrection) among the servants and help ers of Islam, and may He bestow patience to his family and his students." 'Allamah Tabataba'i had trained many students each of whom is an Islamic think er and an able writer.

To have a deeper insight of the 'Allamah's personality, we shall present the views of a number of his students: al-Ustad ash-Shahid Murtaza Nutahhari says: "'Allamah Tabataba'i is a man whose exalted thoughts deserve to be studied, analysed and evaluated for the next hundred years. Really he is one of the great servants of Islam. He is truelly a symbol of piety and spirituality.