Chain of the Light of Imamat - An Apology and Expression of Gratitude
An Apology and Expression of Gratitude
Tags: Isma`ili terminology, Tawfiq
I would like to apologize to the esteemed readers of this book for, compared to the skilled horsemen of the race-course of eloquence and literary expertise, I am a mere pedestrian. Two things prevent me from remaining in the seclusion of silence and obscurity. First, is the hope of this humble and insignificant slave in the court of the Majestic and Benevolent Lord, that through His gracious habit of cherishing the indigent, He will accept this trifling gift and grant to the soul and intellect that which suits His dignity and self- sufficiency. Secondly, it is my aim to serve my spiritual brethren, friends, community, and nation by imparting knowledge to them, so that they, as true mu'mins and true spiritual brethren, may also benefit me spiritually from their enlivening prayers. I saw that many of the works of the dignitaries of religion are in Persian and that very few people can benefit from such works, as they cannot understand the symbolism and difficult meanings in them. Since most of our youths read Urdu, I felt it incumbent upon me to serve the Jamacat by writing this book according to my capacity. For, everyone can serve the Jama`at according to his skill and capacity. With this intention, I compiled this book in Urdu from what I had studied of the books of the dignitaries of religion, so that the knowledge of the seekers of truth may increase and they can take more interest in philosophy and wisdom. The precious pearl of wisdom deserves an oyster shell of flawless words so that it pleases the eyes of the seekers of realities and ma`rifats (recognitions), but I must confess that for certain reasons, I have unfortunately been unable to fulfil this condition. Firstly, I did not have the requisite proficiency in Urdu; secondly, there was a limited amount of time to complete this work before the blessed and auspicious celebration of the coronation of the Imam of the time; thirdly, due to distance and the lack of time, I could not submit the manuscript of this book for review to scholars whose knowledge is far greater and higher than mine.
"And over every possessor of knowledge there is one more knowing." (12:76).
An important point for students of religion, is that every sect and every community has its own technical terms which have specific meanings. According to Isma`ili terminology, the Universal Intellect (`Aql-i kull) and the Universal Soul (Nafs-i kull) are two great angels. Therefore, although `aql and nafs are feminine nouns in Urdu, they cannot be used as feminine. Similarly, usul which is also a technical term, when used in the context of hudud, cannot be used as a plural of a plural, i.e. "usulun". Similarly, it is not permissible to substitute other technical terms, except as an explanation, by their synonyms, such as "amr" by "hukm" and "ta'yid" by "madad", which mean command and help, respectively. The wise know that these terms correspond to the wisdom of the Qur'an, and have a specific and fixed meaning....
In short, the compilation of the knowledge of realities in the form of a book is the result of a state which consists of many things both externally and internally, which should be called success (tawfiq) granted by God. For tawfiq, which stems from "wafq", means success which God grants to someone by external and internal means, in order to achieve something. Thus when we mention the means of success granted by Him in this wisdom-filled way, on our part this will, in reality, be an expression of gratitude to Him. For we have recognised that whatever exists is for His servants and that every servant exists for two purposes. One is for himself and the other is for the benefit of others, whether this is in a physical or spiritual sense. As God says: "It is He Who created for you all that is in the earth" (2:29). In this verse, God has addressed all His servants.
Thus He has told every servant individually that all things on earth are created for him. It is also evident that these servants are also created for one another, as mentioned above. Having understood this reality, I would now like to record my gratitude to His Highness Ghaziyu'l-millat, the President of the Isma`ili Jama`at of Central Asia, the illustrious and affable ruler, during whose rule and presidentship the doors of knowledge and ma`rifat were opened. The favours of this fortunate king for the country and nation are more than can be described with a pen. And I thank my revered teachers that the foundation stone of my beliefs was laid by their guidance, and that they were always ready to serve religion. I thank the whole nation because this book has been written as a result of their prayers, encouragement and with the hope that they may appreciate knowledge, for if there is no appreciation of knowledge and wisdom in a nation, the means of knowledge do not come into existence. Finally, I would like to express my special gratitude to the esteemed Messrs Fath `Ali Khan Sahib, Munshi Ghulam Muhammad Khan Sahib and Jam`-dar Qurban `Ali Khan Sahib, who in order to assist the spread of religious knowledge in the nation and community, helped to bear the expenses of the publication of this book. I am also grateful for the religious zeal of my compatriots living in Chilas, who helped in the expenses of this book through the spiritual brother Palishar Beg. May the Benevolent Lord make all the mu'mins prosperous and happy in both the worlds. Amin and a hundred times again amin!
Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai
Karachi
10 Jumada I, 1377 / 3rd December, 1957.
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