A description of the collection (Mawsu’ah/Encyclopedia):

Kalimah al-Imam al-Mahdi al-Hujjat ibn al-Hassan al-‘Askari (‘Alayhima al-Salaam)

Words of Imam Mahdi, Hujjat son of ‘Askari (Salaam Be Upon Them, SBUT)

[7 volumes in Arabic and Persian, 640 pages per volume]

Part 3

1-The first volume (Introductions and list of contents) begins with a word from the publisher with the title “Anguish of Separation”. “Process of Composition” is a prologue by the Corrector so that the readers, beforehand, may realize the worthiness of the words and teachings of the Prophet (SBUH & HP)’s ‘Itrat in comprehension of the Religion. In this section the account of the arranging process and the report of what has been done for this Mawsu’ah, from beginning to the end, are reviewed. The next two parts of the first volume are the introduction of the translators and the introduction of the compiler too. The section “Images and Documents” comprises pictures of the compiler of the Arabic book and teachers and activities and speeches and cultural services and travels and burial ceremony and his gravesite. For reference and research convenience, the list of all proper names, in an amalgamated form, and the sources and subject matters of all volumes are presented in this volume. “Introductions and list of contents” comes to an end with a brief description of the contents of the seven volumes in English.

2-The second volume (Tawqi’at and written communications) contains the written correspondences of Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman (SBUH) which have been for causing awareness in regard to religious principles and Ma’arif, and for giving necessary warnings, and protecting against dangers threatening the Shi'a and that Hazrat's deputies, or to answer the questions and wishes of the followers which through the Nuwwab and deputies were delivered to the Shi’a.

“Tawqi’” means to sign or to stamp a writing such as: letter, edict, document, charter, covenant, plan and correspondence; whether the responder himself writes the text of the Tawqi’ or he commands the secretaries and trusted individuals to write then he puts his stamp and signature at the end of the response as the indication of approval.

The contents of the Tawqi’at are the best and most reliable factor which confirms its genuineness and shows that it comprises truths and matters which have been written based upon the Allah-Bestowed Knowledge of the Imam (SBUH). The letter-writing procedures of the Shi’a, such as writing with a pen without ink or moving fingers on the paper so as not to leave any trace on the whiteness of the paper, not only established the mechanism of the institution of deputies and ambassadors of the Occultation Era, rather it also assayed the truthfulness and rightfulness of deputies and representatives, and assured and warmed the hearts of receivers that their Imam was alive; for they were realizing that the Lord’s Hujjat was giving information regarding their sealed secrets which no one but he whom the letter belonged to knew of.

The topic range of the Mahdawi Tawqi’at and writings which have become available to documents and history, are extensive and as broad as those times’ questions and needs and events, and the following titles are a sample of those topics:

1-Doctrinal Ma’arif and beliefs

2-Religious and jurisprudential precepts

3-Political, social and economic guidances

4-Duties and obligations of the Shi’a, and warnings to protect them from falling into Shaitan’s trap

5-Educational and ethical discussions

6-Introducing and confirming true ambassadors and deputies, and management of the affairs of the institution of deputies

7-Refuting and exposing false claimants and the exaggerators and the deviated

8-Sent written prayers for followers

9-Miracles and solving problems and assistances and granting requests and needs of those who Tawassul to the Imam (SBUH) (Tawassul: Seeking the Imam as means of nearness to Allah)

10-Revealing inner intentions, giving the news of future happenings: Death of persons, healing of the sick, children being born or not, and the gender of the child, helping to find lost things, naming the children, consulting regarding marriage, requesting shroud, permitting or not permitting to travel, choosing travel companion, praying for freedom of prisoner, freeing of slaves, issuing orders for protecting the life of deputies and the Shi’a and …

11-Necessity of keeping and protecting the Tawqi’at, and their propagation or concealment

And these are all indications of the continuance of the Imamate Positions of the Imam (SBUH) who is the Leader of the Path, Guide of the bewildered, Observer of creations and the Door of Guidance for the Ummah, and he has not, even for a second, been neglectful of assisting.

3-The third volume (Prayers and pilgrimage supplications) comprises the most limpid truths and purest Ma’arif in topics of Allahology, Prophetology, Imamology, Ma’adology, Selfology and … and the most excellent exalted ethics and the loftiest educational, instructional, edificational, social, historical and political teachings and policies, with the most beautiful and superb words and the most eloquent statements  and the most delicate analogies, which the celestial Teacher- in the Last Days of the world, with the help of the two schools of prayers and pilgrimage supplications, for making relations and actions of human life healthy and Divine- has employed human spirits, hearts, souls, feelings, affections, intellects and thoughts in the cause of improvement; and with all limitations and deprivations of the Occultation Era, he (SBUH) shows the way to Servitude of Allah and to human perfection and to lift cognitional intellect, and  sets the open table of Divine Mercy before humankind so that they may sit on this table and have a share of all its blessings in order to achieve the desired destination and spiritual perfection.

Worshipping of one God and humbleness before the one and only Creator, unconditionally obeying Divine commands and forbiddances, endeavoring to maintain Religion and Taqwa (Divine Piety …), paying attention to the reckoning of the Judgment Day, believing in Divine punishment and reward, reviving the spirit of self-building and struggling and self-sacrificing in the cause of Allah and exalting the Word of Allah, avoiding slips and sins, becoming familiar with the mode of conduct and behavior punctilio of celestial Chosen Ones, disliking adversaries of the Religion and the Usurpers of the Position of Wilayat and … are a part of the values and topics opened before and taught to those who pray or the pilgrims through prayers and pilgrimage supplications, and inform and support them in walking in the Straight Path of Guidance and achieving Bliss.

To be continued …