In His Most Exalted Name
Alas life rolled in vain \ it rolled with burden of sin, with disobedience
Tomorrow when I go to venue of punishment \ I am told that time for repentance is over
The book "Adab as-Salah", which I donate to my dear daughter (in-law) Fati- whom may God include among the righteous ones- is 40 years old. I had already completed the book" Sir as-Salah" (Secret of Prayers). Over 40 years have elapsed since those years. I neither comprehended the secret of prayers nor performed its etiquette, as discovering differs from composing and making is different from dallying. These books are proofs of the Lord to this unlearned servant. I seek refuge in God Almighty if the back-breaking holy verse: "O ye who believe! why say ye that which ye do not? It is most hateful in the sight of Allah that ye say that which ye do not" applies to me, I have no haven except His bountiful mercy.
O, my daughter (in-law) I hope you will succeed in applying the rituals of this great spiritual ascension and migrate from the gloomy house of body towards God riding on this divinely buraq (a mythological steed that took the Prophet to the area of heavens on the night of mi`raj or ascension). I hope by reading this book will not strengthen your attachment to egoist desires and not be a plaything of Satan, as did the writer.
My daughter! Although I found spiritual elegance in you, I hope you will undergo divine guidance and get rid of the deep well of nature with His grace, the glorified, the majestic, finding your way into the straight path of humanity. Nevertheless, you should watch out for the trick of Satan and those of the more dangerous souls than Satan and seek refuge in God. "Verily, He is kind to His servants."
My daughter! If by reading this book no result is obtained, but ostentation, conspicuous show to impress others and become prominent, you had better abstain from its study lest you should be entangled and regret. If you prepare yourself to benefit from the book, the sunnah (tradition) and narrations of the Immaculate Imams and the graces obtained by the men of knowledge heartily and put to motion the talent and elegance of verve God has bestowed you, get the ball rolling. Here is a good chance for a trial.
It is hoped that in this human ascension and prayers you will empty your heart from other than Him and purify the heart with water of life, saying four takbir (pronouncing Allahu Akbar or God is the Greatest), release the self from itself so as to reach the Friend." Whoso migrateth for the cause of Allah will find much refuge and abundance in the earth, and whoso forsaketh his home, a refugee unto Allah and His messenger, and death overtaketh him, his reward is then incumbent on Allah. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful."
O God! Make us migrant towards God and the Messenger and elevate us to the status of self annihilation in Thy and grant success to Fati and Ahmad to serve and attain happiness. May God's peace be upon you!
Rouhullah al-Mousawi al-Khomeini
Jamaran, Tehran
October 72, 4891 [Aban 5, 3631 AHS/ Safar 2, 5041 [
Sahifeh-ye Imam, vol. 19, pp. 81-3