The Holy Ahl-i Bayt in the Prophetic Traditions - Introduction
Introduction
The paramount importance of the recognition of the position of the holy ahl-i bayt in Islam is well-known. They are one of the two weighty things (thaqalayn) left by the holy Prophet for the sake of guidance. He also compared them with the Ark of Hazrat Nuh as the means of salvation. An attempt has been made in this collection to gather certain unanimously accepted Ahadith about their position, love for and devotion to them. The collection is mainly based on the Kanzu'l-`ummal of `Allamah `Ali al-Muttaqi (Beirut, 1399/1979) and Mishkatu'l-masabih of `Allamah Waliyyu'd-Din Abu `Abd Allah Mahmud (Lahore, n.d.), the two important comprehensive sources of Ahadith of Sunni Islam. These sources in their turn are based on the six canonical collections and other sources. The Ahadith numbers of the Kanzu'l-`ummal and the volume and page number of Mishkatu'l-masabih are given in this collection to enable the readers to refer to the original sources easily.
The Ahadith have been organised under several sub-titles (see contents page) in order to facilitate the readers.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Hazrat `Allamah Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai Sahib for his guidance in the preparation of this collection of Ahadith and for writing an extremely gracious, encouraging and unique foreword in both prose and poetry. He has also graciously called this collection "Ganjinah-yi Jawahir-i Ahadith (A Treasure of Gems of Ahadith)". We would like to record our gratitude also for his permission to use the diagram on the resemblance of Hazrat `Ali to Hazrat Harun from his book "Diagrams of Wisdom".
We would also like to express our appreciation and gratitude to ex-Mukhi Nizar Ali and his family for supporting the cause of spreading true knowledge and sponsoring the publication of this work. Hazrat `Allamah Sahib has kindly written the following wisdom-filled words in the language of Monoreality, which show his utmost devotion and love for the Imam of the time and his dedication to the cause of real knowledge.
`Allamah Sahib writes: "We are extremely fortunate that we are a reputed army among the armies of the Imam of the progeny of the holy Prophet to spread the true knowledge. Al-hamdu li'llah! We are spreading the light of Islam by eradicating the darkness of ignorance.
Enraptured by the paradisiacal wine of Monoreality, I say: The voices of all my `azizan are encompassed in my speech, as are their hands in my writings. Can such a unitary miracle be impossible in the Paradise of Monoreality? In fact, all those accomplishments which are to spread true knowledge are the result of their collective efforts. Millions of thanks to Allah for His favours!
A bright example of golden services: One of the centres of our organisation is in Atlanta, U.S.A. The President of this centre is ex-Mukhi Nizar Ali and his begum, Vice-President ex-Mukhiani Almas. The two of them and their three beloved daughters Nayab, LAS, Hina, LAS, and Saba, LAS are all International Life Governors of our organisation. Mukhi Nizar Ali's late father is Alibhai, son of Wali Muhammad and his mother is Mrs. Ratanbai Alibhai. Mukhiani Almas' father is Noormohamed, son of Aliji and her mother is Mrs. Rahmatbai Noormohamed." (8th December, 1999)
May Khudawand grant them all barakah and success both in this world and the next. We are also grateful for the prayers of our spiritual brothers, sisters and friends in the east and the west. May Khudawand bless them all in both the worlds. Amin!
Wa's-salam!
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