[Pub.] [3] The abbreviation...

[Pub.] [3] The abbreviation, “ ‘a ” stands for the Arabic invocative phrase, ‘alayhis-salām , ‘alayhimus-salām , or ‘alayhās-salām [may peace be upon him/them/her], which is used after the names of the prophets, angels, Imāms from the Prophet’s progeny, and saints ( ‘a ). [Pub.] [4] Imām Khomeinī, Sharh-e Chehel Hadīth (Tehran: The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imām Khomeinī’s Works, 1376 AHS), p. 511.

[5] Ma‘sūmīn : those possessing the quality of ‘ismah (divinely bestowed freedom from error and sin) such as the prophets and Imāms from the Prophet’s Progeny ( ‘a ). [Pub.] [6] The original work in Persian, Sharh-e Chehel Hadīth was written by Imām Khomeinī sixty-four years ago and was completed in the month of Muharram 1358 AH (April-May 1939). Under the title, Forty Hadīths: An Exposition of Mystical and Ethical Traditions , its English translation is recently published by the Institute.

The manuscript of this work, together with that of two other then unpublished works of the author, Sharh-e Du‘ā’-e Sahar , and Ādāb as-Salāt , were recovered from the library of the late Āyatullāh Ākhūnd al-Hamedānī. All the three works have been published by the Institute. [Pub.] [7] “So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators!” Sūrah al-Mu’minūn 23:14.

Unless stated otherwise, all the Qur’anic quotations throughout this volume are based on Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall’s translation of the Glorious Qur’an. Pickthall’s translation as well as others such as those of ‘Abdullāh Yūsuf ‘Alī, Mīr Ahmad ‘Alī and Muhammad Shākir, are accessible online at http://www.al-islam.org/quran . [Trans.] [8] “And man assumed it. Lo! He hath proved a tyrant and a fool.” Sūrah al-Ahzāb 33:72.

[9] Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-80): French philosopher, novelist, playwright, and exponent of existentialism. His writings reflect his vision of the human being as master of his or her own fate, with each life defined by a person’s actions: “Existence precedes essence.” His works include Being and Nothingness (1943); the novels Nausea (1938) and The Roads to Freedom , a trilogy (1945-49); and the plays The Flies (1943) and No Exit (1944). Sartre founded the review Les Temps Modernes in 1945.

[Trans.] [10] Jean-Paul Sartre, Existentialism va Isālat-e Bashar [ Existentialism and Human Nature ], trans. Mustafā Rahīmī (Tehran: Marvārīd, 1358 AHS), p. 24.