RAWDAT-UL WĀEŻEEN
Abū Ali Muhammad son of Hasan Fattāl-e Neyshābūrī
(Martyred in the year 508 Hejira)
Subject:
Motivation of Writing:
The author says in the introduction of his book: “As a young preacher, I addressed religious gatherings and answered questions about different topics, to the extent that I was asked to give a gist of my own to explain about exhortation, piety, good manners and the like. After going through the contents of the reference material, I did not find sufficient information on the topics. Therefore, I decided to write a book which encompasses not only the Qur’ānic verses and quotations of Traditions (Hadiths) but also elaborates on them, so as to cover the aforementioned topics.”
Methodology:
The author’s writing evidences a comprehensive methodology of his own. In the beginning of every sermon, he quotes the Qur’ānic verses relevant to that particular topic. This is supplemented by the relevant sayings of the Holy Prophet (S.A.) and the Immaculate Imams (A.S.). Then he proceeds to elucidate as far as possible their meanings and significance. He offers rational arguments on topics such as Tawhīd (the one and only God) and ‘Adl (Justice), Jabr (Predestination) and Ikhtiyār (Free will) by making use of Traditions. He cites Traditions to support and supplement his own rational arguments and does not follow a mere rational argument.
The author acknowledges in the book’s introduction that all documentations of the Traditions are omitted. His reasons for the omission are two-fold. Firstly, he says that the Traditions quoted by him are famous and well authenticated in the books of Traditions. Secondly, he says that he intended to write a book of ethics, and not to collect Traditions. The book of ethics is meant to refine and enhance individual character and conduct. If he had given references concerning sources of Traditions, the readers might have found it rather voluminous and cumbersome.
Two Parts Of The Book:
The first part contains thirty sermons and includes discussion on the intellectuality and epistemology, as well as the religious principles and the life story of the Holy Prophet (S.A.) and the Immaculate Imams up to the time of Imam Askari (A.S.).
The second part contains over seventy sermons. It begins with the biography of Imam-e Asr (May Allah hasten his reappearance). This is followed by the excellent character and conduct of the Holy Prophet (S.A.) and His Household (A.S.). Then several moral issues and exhortations and philosophies are discussed. The discussion includes concepts of Qabr (grave), Barzakh (a transitional stage between death and resurrection), Qiyāmat (resurrection), Tahārat (state of personal cleanliness and ablution), Izdewāj (marriage) and Hoqūq wa Fadāyel Māh-hā(privileges and virtues associated with the Islamic Lunar Months).
Authenticity Of Traditions
With regard to authenticity of the quotations two points are notable:
1) The first point is that the Traditions in this book are not accompanied by the supporting documentary references. However, this does not necessarily mean that their credibility is doubtful, especially since the author has explained that just for the sake of brevity he has omitted the references, while the narrations together with their full documentations have remained in his possession. Moreover, he points out that all the Traditions are famous ones, and not uncommon and untraceable.
2) The other point is that some of the Traditions are ostensibly against the Shiites, while remaining marginally conformable to Shiite beliefs. This calls for diligent attention to assure oneself of their correct meaning, or to question them. This is necessary, since the author has insisted – in the beginning and at the end of the book – that the Traditions included in his book carry meanings, which are correct and conformable to the Shiite position.
Printing:
With regard to the print of the book under review, the introduction and the research on the book had been a responsibility assigned to Muhammad Mahdi Sayyid Hasan Khorsān. The contents and the Sermons discussed are listed at the end of the book.