—by Allah’s grace, in any other treatise. This is the humble effort of one with little to offer, undertaken in defense of the religion of Allah Most High and as sincere counsel to Him, His Book, His Messenger, and the leaders and common folk of the Muslims. May Allah Most High make it beneficial. I ask Allah Most High for guidance, sound judgment, and acceptance. He alone—glorified is He—is the Guardian of that and has power over it. Amen.

Written by
Muhammad ibn Abd al-Mu‘tī ibn Alī ibn Ahmad ibn Sinjāb al-Atharī
Upper Egypt. Abū Tisht. Al-Sulaymāt. Naj‘ Bakkār.
The month of Safar, 1423 AH,
corresponding to 14 May (Ayyār) 2002 CE.