Then I returned to the text itself, applied full vocalization, and broke it down into coherent paragraphs, taking special care with punctuation so that it would read clearly and intelligibly for contemporary audiences.

After that, I annotated the work by locating every Qur’an verse, verifying the ḥadiths, reports, and other citations with their sources, and tracing the poems and assigning them to their respective authors. I did not, however, provide biographical sketches, glosses of difficult words and phrases, or descriptions of places; in my view, such matters properly belong to a commentator, not to the editor of the base text.

I also compiled a range of indices to help the reader reach whatever he seeks in the shortest possible time.

So here you have before you, dear reader, a book made up entirely of gems and benefits—of insight, admonition, guidance, and direction. You may well find nothing like it among the books you have read. I ask Allah to grant both you and me success in pondering it and drawing profit from it; He is the One who disposes of all affairs and is fully capable. May blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions.

Written by
Muḥammad ʿAzīr Shams