The successors of the prophets (a.s.) should continue the programme of teachings and self-purification. During the ghaibat (occultation) of Imam-e-Zamana (a.s.) this important duty rests on the independent Mujtahids and just jurists. Quranic ayats and traditions inform us that education and self-purification required two necessary conditions. First of them is Ijtehad and the other is justice. The concerned ayat says,
وَمَا كَانَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لِيَنفِرُواْ كَآفَّةً فَلَوْلاَ نَفَرَ مِن كُلِّ فِرْقَةٍ مِّنْهُمْ طَآئِفَةٌ لِّيَتَفَقَّهُواْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلِيُنذِرُواْ قَوْمَهُمْ إِذَا رَجَعُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَحْذَرُونَ
“And it does not beseem the believers that they should go forth all together; why should not then a company from every party from among them go forth that they may apply themselves to obtain understanding in religion, and that they may warn their people when they come back to them that they may be cautious?”
(Surah Taubah 9:122)
In the same way a tradition says,
“It is incumbent for the people to obey the Mujtahid, who controls his self, who guards his religion, opposes his carnal desires and obeys the commands of his master.”
On the basis of this, the leader and guide must have achieved the limits of belief in foundations of faith and should have reached perfection on it. So that he makes the people gain recognition (marefat) and make their beliefs firms. In the same way he should be well grounded with the laws of religion so that he can advise the people of their duties and prohibitions. He must also be purified of immoral qualities so that he can serve as an example of perfect morals. Also that people may benefit from hi words and behaviour.
Compilation of Gunahane Kabeera (Greater sins) – An important step
Thus the first duty of the scholars is to make people aware of halaal and haraam. This is a very important task. But so far we don’t have any comprehensive book in Persion that deals with the Greater sins in detail, so that the general public may have access to it. This great tawfeeq had been in the fortune of Ayatuallah Dastghaib Shirazi. After devoting a number of years the Ayatullah has completed the magnum opus named Gunahane Kabira (Greater sins). Eager and truth perceiving public has accorded a great welcome to this book. Thousands of copies of this book have been published in two editions. A new deluxe edition is planned for the future.
Qalbe Saleem and Gunahane Kabira
Fortunately the aim of the respected author is to guide the people and to help in the purification of their souls. After the completion of Gunahane Kabira he was busy in writing a book that deals with the sins of the heart, that being the second important stage of religious guidance. Actually the book, Qalbe Saleem is the sequel to Gunahane Kabira. The correction of topics and arrangement of the subject matter has been entrusted to me. By the Grace of Allah, the book has been completed and published in a good format.
Responsibility of the Respected Readers
I consider it my duty to remind that those who are interested in such material have an important responsibility. They must propagate this book among their family and friend circles and help in propagation of religion. They can fulfill the duty that is made obligatory on them by religion and conscience. It is the best method of Amr bil maroof and Nahy Anil Munkar. I also thank all those who have cooperated in preparation and publication of these books. I hope they will continue to extend their help and encourage writers and publishers.
Sayyid Muhammad Hashim Dastghaib.Tehran 1st Zilqaad 1392 A.H. 8 December 1972 A.D.
source : QALBE SALEEM/Shaheede Mehraab Ayatullah-ul-Uzma Al-Haaj Sayed Abdul Husain Dastghaib Shirazi (r.a.)
