and comprehensive indices combining what I set aside as individual indices with each volume. This is an indispensable matter, in order to organize the various fields of knowledge contained in the Tafsir, and to make it easy for the student to find his objective wherever he wishes in al-Ṭabarī's book, because he frequently cross-references in his book to what has preceded in it.

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To proceed, I have exerted my utmost effort and sought what is correct as far as I was able, intending to make the publication of this monumental book in Tafsir a sincere means of drawing near to Allah. Yet how can any work in our time remain entirely free from a defect that taints it! So I ask Allah to accept from me that in which I was sincere, to forgive me for whatever of worldly matters became mixed with it, and to encompass me with His mercy on the Day when neither wealth nor sons will avail, except for him who comes to Allah with a sound heart. And I beseech Him to forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith; and our final supplication is that praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

Maḥmūd Muḥammad Shākir