Translator's Preface

Thanks to the Almighty God, who gave me success toaccomplish translation of this book.

Allah may send blessings on our Prophet, Mohammad S. A., who guided us to His Straight Path, and illuminated our heart ofHis guidance.

I offer the reward of this book to the spirit of my lategrandmother, May God have mercy on her, and beseech Allah tomake it, for me and her, a means of attainment to His rewardand pleasures on the Day of Judgement.

I shall acknowledge that my reference books have been: AGlossary of Islamic Technical Terms'', Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi, Holy Quran'', Arthur J. Arberry, and Nahjul Balagha'', S. Ali Reza.

Dear readers are requested to send their views, suggestions, comments, questions, problems, ... to my emailaddress: monirshafiei

Yahoo. com.

Monir ShafieiTehran, Iran 01. 01. 2002