(Hakimul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)

“All praises are for Allah, the Bestower of bounties and the Limitless in grace and kindness. Peace and blessings on His Rasool, Muhammad who was given the best of laws, (and peace and blessings) on his family and his companions who were the fountains of wisdom.

Subhaanallah! The love and concern of the accepted servants of Allah are indeed wonderful. Night and day they think of ways to deliver benefit to the servants of Allah. In fact, these are the illustrious souls to whom reference is made in the aayat:

"You are the best of nations, having been raised for mankind...”

These noble men in fact represent the tafseer of this aayat. One of these illustrious and august souls is our Hadhrat and Murshid, Maulana Sayyiduna Al-Haj Al-Hafiz Shah Muhammad Imdadullah. One of the effects of his love and concern (for the Ummah) is the publication of beneficial kitaabs. He was responsible for the translation, writing and publication of such kitaabs.

Among these beneficial and essential books, is a book known by the designation: Hikam-e-Jaami Irshaadaat-e-Qutbul Waqt Hujjatullah Hadhrat Ibn Ata Iskandari who is the author of Tanweer Fi Isqaatillah. Truly, the spiritual effect and roohaani style of tarbiyat (moral training) which exude from the words of this buzrug are seldom to be found in the words of others. Regarding its exotic beauty and esoteric excellence, it needs no description.

However, on account of the subject matter being scattered, a reader would find it difficult as a reference. Thus, Shaikh Ali Muttaqi arranged the topics of this work in a very beautiful and systematic order. This systematic arrangement became known by the name: An-Nahjul Atam Fi Tabweebil Hikam. For the benefit of the people of Hind ( India ), Hadhrat Sayyiduna Haji Imdadullah (rahmatullah alayh) instructed Hadhrat Maulana Khalil Ahmad Sahib, former mudarris at Darul Uloom Deoband and presently a mudarris at Madrasah Islaamiyah, to translate this kitaab. Subsequently, Maulana Khalil Ahmad translated it in very simple language and in elaborate form full of meaning. In accordance with his instructions, he handed the translation to me for printing.

Purely out of supreme humility the honourable translator did not give a name to his translation, leave alone mentioning his name. I have, therefore, named it, Itmamun Ni'am – Tarjumah Tabweebul Hikam. My beloved and honourable benefactor who is an embodiment of virtue and grace, Hafiz Muhammad Abu Sa-eed Khan Sahib, the muhtamim of Nizami Printers, voluntarily, enthusiastically and with utmost sincerity arranged for the printing which was beautifully executed. Thus, by having the book printed, he bestowed spiritual light to the eyes and pleasure to the hearts of the devotees.

After numerous dives into the depths of the ocean, this priceless pearl was finally brought to the surface.