To translate a Sufi text well into English, or for that matter into any other language, requires not only mastery of the languages involved and familiarity with Sufi teachings, but also spiritual affinity and intimacy with the reality of Sufism if something of the spiritual perfume of the original text is to be present in the translation. Fortunately, the translator of the present book combines all these qualities within himself. Not only does Mohammad Faghfoory possess mastery of Arabic and Persian and of course English, but he was brought up in a Sufi family and is himself immersed in the life of Sufism and engaged in its practices. Moreover, he has had experience in the translation of Sufi writings and has already produced English translations of other important Sufi works. The result of the conjunction of these diverse qualities in him has enabled him to produce a fine translation which is an important addition to the corpus of Sufi literature in English.

Seyyed Hossein Nasr, University Professor of Islamic Studies, George Washington University, From The Foreword