Hundred Questions - Introduction (Part 2)
Introduction (Part 2)
By the blessed and holy supreme Name of the Sustainer of the world, which is living and speaking and which is the fountainhead of knowledge and wisdom and rectitude and guidance and is the source of success and help, by duly remembering which one attains the tranquillity of heart and peace of soul and in which is hidden the light of the certainty of the eye and the rank of the certainty of truth.
Manifold feelings of pleasure and gratitude are arising in my heart while writing the introduction to the second part of the Hundred Questions. This is perhaps because of the fact that our humble endeavour [in comparison to His favours], is next to nothing, whereas the favours and gifts of the true Lord are stupendous.
By the favour and grace of God, may He be exalted, the book Hundred Questions will prove to be of immense importance and benefit, for in it we have given satisfactory answers to the important questions of the great jama`at of the great country of Canada.
Obviously an individual question may be easy as well as difficult, but a collective question is always difficult. For, it comes forth after having passed through many stages of thinking and reflection. Nevertheless, the success and help that are received from the Lord of the worlds through the true Imam, are extremely great.
Here one needs to ask: When and on what occasion does a question arise? Or why does a question arise? A question arises when we encounter an obstacle while walking on the path of knowledge and wisdom, or when a doubt occurs in connection with the recognition of the Imam and religion, or its necessity is felt as a result of some discussion. In any case, wisdom necessitates that the question be answered, otherwise neither can there be proof of knowledge and wisdom, nor can someone be helped in knowledge.
There are various ways of presenting knowledge to one's own people and to others, but the most systematic one is to employ the principles of question and answer so that the important aspects of knowledge may be discussed and the desired objectives understood easily.
How excellent is the method of discussing problems of knowledge among ourselves in the form of questions and answers and solving them, instead of being asked the same questions by others with whom we are then entangled in discussions.
God willing, the book Hundred Questions, which is being prepared in four separate parts, will prove to be very useful and beneficial, particularly when it will be translated into other languages.
On this occasion, it will be ingratitude on my part to neglect the honourable mention of the intelligent staff and diligent members of Khanah-yi Hikmat. It is obvious that in presenting knowledge to the public in the form of a book, numerous difficulties are confronted and in order to overcome which, an organization is needed, whose members are endowed with manifold faculties and multiple capacities. Praise belongs to God that these qualities are found par excellence in the members of Khanah-yi Hikmat.
It is an undeniable fact that in order to disseminate knowledge, the organization of our students is working quite tirelessly. This has produced satisfactory results and God willing, we expect much more progress in it.
Whenever service of knowledge is mentioned, it is appropriate to make the pleasant mention of Jan-i `Aziz Faquir Muhammad, without which neither my students nor I, are happy. When I mention his name, by it I mean a world of knowledge, in which in addition to there being everything of knowledge and wisdom, there are also numerous individuals of the East and West who yearn for knowledge. Thus, through Jan-i `Aziz I remember all of them together.
Here I also remember all those dignitaries, friends and `azizan (i.e. students) who live in various cities and Northern Areas of Pakistan, who are interested in my books. Looking at their taste and enthusiasm for knowledge, I am encouraged to work [more]. They are indeed endowed with the attributes of yearning and appreciation for knowledge, and are earnestly desirous and zealous to spread its light.
I wish I could have duly expressed my sincere gratitude to the virtuous Jama`at of Canada, who trusting me for the spiritual knowledge of the exalted Imam, asked me these important questions. Otherwise, an important book such as Hundred Questions would not have come into existence. Not only this, but also through this great Jama`at our domain of activity has extended from East to West; for which I am particularly indebted and grateful to the friends and `azizan (students) of Canada.
Finally, I pray humbly that may the Lord of the worlds grant peace and success in both worlds to those who serve spiritual knowledge and those who take interest in it. May the Lord of honour always be pleased with these devoted mu'mins who continue to offer all kinds of sacrifices for the glory and advancement of religious knowledge! Amin, O the Lord of the worlds!
A humble servant,
Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai
Friday, 28th Sha`ban 1398/4th August 1978 / Year of Horse.
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