AL-KHISĀL

Sheikh-e Sadūq, Abū Ja''far Muhammad
son of Ali son of Husain son of Bāb-e Weyh-e Qummī (305-381 H.), one of the
great Shiite Jurisprudents (Faqīhs) and Narrators (Muhaddethīn) of
the fourth century Hegira.

SUBJECT:

Riwāyāt
(Narrations/Traditions) concerning moralities, principles of Islamic belief, and
other issues of Islamic and human interest are quoted in this book. Their
treatment is unique, in that they are categorized and numbered according to the
numerics associated with specific ethical qualities. The Traditions are arranged
numerically based on numbers, from one to one thousand.

MOTIVATION:

Sheikhe Sadūq says about his motivation in this
regard, as follows: "The works of the great learned men I studied showed the
need to quantify and juxtapose specific human traits, as there was no book or
writing on the correlation between numbers and good/evil qualities. Considering
the immense usefulness of this approach to a seeker after knowledge, I decided
to write such a book. This I did with the intention of seeking closeness to God
and achieving deliverance and God''s recompense and mercy; and I do pray to the
Almighty that He fulfils my hope, as verily He is Omnipotent."

VALUE OF THE BOOK:

Al-Khisāl'' is not voluminous; yet, it is encyclopedic
in significance. It introduces Islamic concepts, such as Halāl'' (lawfulness)
and Harām'' (unlawfulness), to the extent that every Islamic Jurisprudent
(Faqīh) or literary man would need to refer to this book. Furthermore, this book
discusses historical topics, Qur''anic exegesis, philosophical points and
political matters. The contents are very useful and the discussions
enlightening. It is actually a precious collection of narrations form the Ahl-ul
Bayt (the Household of the Holy prophet S.A.).

AUTHENTICITY:

The
credibility of the book is indicated by the fact that the Shiite
Ulamā/Jurisprudents have treasured Sheikh Sadūq''s books. The Traditions in the
book are quoted in other Shiite books like Kutub-e Arba-ah'' (the four reference
books of Shi''a sect) and Bihār-ul Anwār''; and Al-Khisāl has served to enhance
the value of the latter books.

TRADITIONS AND TEHIR TOPICS:

The
book contains 1255 Hadīths (Traditions) in 26 distinct chapters with specific
headings arranged serially and numbered according to the qualities and
characteristics of a homogenous nature and content. Where a single trait is
indicated, it is grouped in one chapter; if two qualities are signified, they
are placed in the following chapters; if more than two qualities are involved,
they are dealt with in the subsequent chapters.

Contents
(Topics):

The ethical qualities and principles
of Islamic belief are supported by the relevant Traditions, which are somehow
correlated with numbers, such as:

-
Love of
the world'' is assigned to the chapter consisting of the single
attributes

-
Two attributes of Shi''a.''

-
One
cannot be a Mu''min without having three
attributes'';

-
Four things are not accepted in four
cases''

-
Five things (attributes) denote one''s
faith.''

-
Anyone
performing six acts deserves to go to
Heaven.''

-
The Holy prophet (S.A.) has forbidden
seven things''.

-
Prayers
by eight groups of people are not accepted (by
God).''

-
Hazrat-e
Fātimah (S.A.) bears nine names in Divine
Proximity.''

-
An
(Infallible) Imam(A.S.) has ten attributes.''; and

-
One hundred and twenty groups of people can be vouchsafed
to dwell in Heaven.''