Preface
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By the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
By the grace and generosity of the Sustainer of the world, and the charity of knowledge and recognition of the Holy Prophet Muḥammad, the Chosen, the Seal of the Prophets(ṣ), which is received from the Imām of the time, this book called "Gift of Knowledge" (Sawġāt-i Dānis̲h̲) is presented to the esteemed readers. On this blessed occasion of joy and happiness, the heart of this humble servant yearns to shed abundant tears of gratitude like the showers of spring and to prostrate continuously in gratitude. However, it is not easy for this insignificant servant to recognize and appreciate such a bounty.
Sawġāt is originally a Turkish word which means a nice and incomparable thing, a gift, a present and a souvenir. This word is used in the Persian language and also in Urdu literature. In the context of these meanings this beloved book is called "Gift of Knowledge" so that it may prove itself to be the best gift of knowledge for cazīzān (students), friends, jamācat, and the nation. God willing!
"Gift of Knowledge" consists of some different topics, whose nature and extent will become known during its study. This book also includes some topics, which although they are in the form of letters, are purely related to knowledge and thus they are extremely necessary and useful. This wisdom-filled command is mentioned in the holy farmān of Ḥaz̤rat Mawlānā Imām Sulṭān Muḥammad S̲h̲āh, the gist of which is to exchange religious knowledge through correspondence.
As a whole, the fundamental and most important topics which are discussed in the series of books and writings of K̲h̲ānah-yi Ḥikmat and Idārah-yi cĀrif include: knowledge of oneness, monoreality, the
concept of creation, Prophethood, Imāmat (recognition of Imām), Islām and faith, soul and spirituality, Qiyāmat and other relevant matters, the Qur'ān and its ta'wīlī wisdom, religion and science, concept of man, remembrance and worship, service of knowledge, true knowledge, righteousness, paradise and its bounties, etc. Additionally, there is a very important topic of questions and answers.
It is our intention and purpose to render some service for our beloved and great jamācat to avoid being ashamed on the Day of Resurrection in the presence of God, the most Beneficent, that we did not benefit others from the numerous bounties of knowledge which He bestowed upon us, as the wise Qur'ān says: "Then you shall be questioned on that day about the bounties (102:8)". The explanation of this is that those who are granted knowledge and material wealth but do not serve in the path of God will be questioned sternly on the Day of Resurrection.
Another verse in this connection is: "Those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend in the way of God, announce to them the news of painful punishment (9:34-35)." The external and internal wealth is mentioned in this Qur'ānic teaching, and as you are aware, internal wealth is knowledge, spending which in the path of God is far more important.
The third command is "Who is more unjust than the man who hides a testimony which he has received from Allāh (2:140)?" That is to say, every word of true knowledge amounts to testifying to the truth and its veracity. Therefore, if someone has necessary and useful knowledge which only benefits the people of faith, such knowledge should not be concealed. However, the principle of taqiyyah (precautionary secrecy) will indeed remain in its place.
The unprecedented feats rendered by our great Pīrs and dignitaries of religion in the past in connection with the Divine mission and the knowledge of Imāmat, are in the heaven of grandeur. We must duly express our gratitude to Almighty God, salute the honor of our Pīrs lovingly. Our personality is created from the dust under their
feet. That is, the leaven of our faith is created from the soil of the farm and garden of religion, in which they used to walk and work day and night. Then, how is it possible [for us] to claim any kind of greatness? And why should we?
This cherished book with the lovely name "Gift of Knowledge" before you is a collection of topics prepared before writing "Precious Treasure" in 1984. Therefore, there is a closer relationship between the "Gift of Knowledge" and "Precious Treasure" as they are both on the same rung of the evolutionary ladder.
When a good deed is accomplished according to the procedures of an organization, the rule is that it is attributed to the organization. This has three aspects: To thank the President of the organization, to mention the organization, or to thank all those people attached to it. This is the rule of a general organization. However, by Divine grace, as far as K̲h̲ānah-yi Ḥikmat and Idārah-yi cĀrif are concerned, a special miracle of unity and oneness is found. An excellent example of this is the Gilgit branch of K̲h̲ānah-yi Ḥikmat, which is progressing under the successful leadership of our very dear, wise President Ġulām Qādir. May God save him from evil eyes. The rays of light of the Imām of the time's love are pouring on him externally and internally.
It will be a great ingratitude and disloyalty on the part of this most humble servant if he does not acknowledge the two Presidents of K̲h̲ānah-yi Ḥikmat and Idārah-yi cĀrif, Fatḥ `Alī Ḥabīb and Muḥammad cAbdu'l-cAzīz, and not appreciate the golden feats of the volunteers and members in the east and west of both institutions. Future historians will misunderstand that this entire service of knowledge was rendered by Naṣīr Hunzai alone. Therefore, how can I forget to remember all those angels who are the treasures of manifold powers for me, who are working day and night in the service of knowledge. Both are Presidents, indeed, therefore in the sense of honor and eminence they deserve the highest place in our esteem, but their humility and modesty are such that they set the chair of presidency aside and participate in ordinary services. This attitude is a prerequisite for humility (kasr-i nafsī).
O Lord, through Your infinite mercy, enrich our cazīzān of the east and the west with the wealth of true knowledge, so that together we may better serve the exalted Imām of the time and the beloved jamācat with sincerity and well-wishing. Āmīn! O Lord of the worlds!
Humble servant Naṣīr al-Dīn Naṣīr Hunzai Thursday, 16th Ẕu'l-Ḥajj, 1304 13th September, 1984 Year of the Mouse
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