Eight Questions Answered - Preface
Preface
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds: and the End belongs to the righteous; and blessing and peace be upon His Messenger and his pure progeny.
For sensible and wise people it is as clear as broad daylight that with regards to knowledge, all subjects are contained in the gnosis or understanding of religion (din-shinasi) and in the gnosis or recognition of Imam (imam-shinasi). Hence in Isma`ilism the gnosis of religion and Imam is extremely necessary, without which no Isma`ili can attain real satisfaction. It is through knowledge and gnosis (`ilm-u ma`rifat) that problems are solved, doubts and uncertainties are removed, the illumination of faith (iman ki roshni) is increased, and the heart and soul attain satisfaction. It is knowledge and gnosis which generate qualities of ambition and high-aspiration in true believers (mu'min). In short, everything is contained in knowledge and gnosis.
When does a question arise? A question arises at a time when there is no mutual acquaintance, when there is no knowledge and understanding (gnosis) of religion and when there is no literature available and no attention is given to understanding the religion.
However, if there are questions, it does not mean that answers to them are not possible. In fact an answer for every question can be availed. But the important thing is that the answer should be based on reality and truthfulness, for otherwise no benefit will be availed from the answer.
Thus an attempt is made within this book to answer eight such questions which were posed by one of our students. Since the student has placed his confidence in us, it is our duty to try and solve them and to ask Allah, the Most High, for success and help in this task.
According to me it is not difficult to reply any question with regard to the truthfulness of Isma`ilism. In fact it is very easy, to the extent that even if there are thousands of questions it is not a problem, for we can prove and show that whatever questions arise pertaining to Isma`ilism, they all together take the form of a huge tree; thus by discussing the trunk and bigger branches of the tree we can reply to all the questions relating to the tree. In the same way, by discussing the fundamentals of Isma`ilism, we can reply all questions pertaining to Isma`ilism and show that Isma`ilism and the Imam of the age are indeed the real truth. That is to say, for those who are able to understand, this fundamental question alone is sufficient to their enquiry: "What proof is there of the Imam being the real truth?" For, all other relevant questions come under this focal question. But have the common people ever kept this in mind? They ask whatever questions they like and whatever question that occurs to their minds.
It is without any doubt that Isma`ilis should look to their true Imam; to know what is his implicit guidance (mansha') or what is his explicit guidance, for in establishing this principle (of looking to the true Imam for guidance) religious knowledge can be disseminated.
It should be kept in mind that a question can be answered directly or indirectly, and it is important to reply in the way the question has been asked, for otherwise in some circles of the jama`at (community) there may spread doubt about their faith and furthermore, this may affect the belief particularly of the new generation. If God will grant us help and success in this task, we will continue our efforts in the future and try to remove doubts (concerning Isma`ilism) in one way or another.
For Knowledge,
The servant of the Jama`at
Nasīr al-Dīn Nasīr Hunzai, 24 December 1976
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