Part One
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
[Publisher's Introduction]
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, the unlettered Arab Prophet from Makkah, the guide and the trustworthy, and upon his family, his companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. To proceed: Allah the Exalted says: "Praise be to Allah, who has sent down upon His Servant the Book and has not made therein any deviance. [He has made it] straight, to warn of a severe punishment from Him and to give good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a good reward in which they will remain forever." (Surat al-Kahf: 1-3). To Him belongs praise in the first and the last. O Allah, our Lord, to You belongs praise, filling the heavens, filling the earth, and filling whatever You will besides them.
Praise be to Allah who sent His messengers "as bringers of good tidings and warners so that mankind will have no argument against Allah after the messengers." (Surat al-Nisa': 165).
Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was sent to all of the two weighted beings (al-thaqalayn), mankind and the jinn, to convey to them from Allah (the Exalted and Majestic) what He revealed to him of this noble Book, "which falsehood cannot approach from before it or from behind it; [it is] a revelation from a [Lord who is] Wise and Praiseworthy." (Surat Fussilat: 42). He has informed them in it, from Allah the Exalted, that He has encouraged them to understand it, as He the Exalted says: "Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction." (Surat al-Nisa': 82). And He the Exalted says: "[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded." (Surat Sad: 29). Therefore, it is incumbent upon the scholars to uncover the meanings of the words of Allah, to interpret them, to seek them from their proper sources, and to learn and teach them.
It is upon us, O Muslims, to comply with what Allah has commanded us regarding learning the Book of Allah that was sent down to us, teaching it, understanding it, and helping others understand it. Upon Allah the Exalted rests the softening of hearts, their guidance through faith, and their cleansing from sins and transgressions. Allah is the One who interprets and the One who is asked to do this for us; He is indeed Generous and Kind.
