(2.) Maktûbât-i-Bist-o-hasht, a 'Series of 28 Letters', being replies to the correspondence of his senior disciple, Mozaffar, the prince of Balkh.

(3.) Fawâed-i-Ruknî, a number of brief Notes prepared for the use of his disciple Rukn-ud-dîn.

The present booklet consists of the translation of copious extracts from Maktûbât-i-Sadî, the most elaborate and comprehensive of the three published works, with Notes occasionally added from the other two with a view to elucidate or complete the subject in hand. These extracts, it is hoped, will cover the greater part of, if not all, the principles inculcated in these books, and are expected to give the reader a fair knowledge of the Teaching of the Author in all its phases. Matters relating to mere exoteric rites, legends and traditions have been omitted. The translation does not pretend to be always very literal, but an honest attempt has been made to present a faithful rendering of the original to the English-knowing public, that they may be able to better appreciate the Teachings of Islâm, and that the Brotherhood of Creeds may have one more advocate to plead its cause before the tribunal of the human intellect.

Gayâ, (Behâr.)

BAIJNÂTH SINGH.

1908.


CONTENTS.

Page.
[Foreword][i]
[On Monotheism][1]
[Turning to God, or Conversion][5]
[On Seeking the Teacher][8]
[On the Qualifications of a Teacher][12]
[On Discipleship][15]
[On Discipleship (Continued)][16]
[The Friend of God][19]
[The Brotherhood of Friends][20]
[Polytheism, and the Friendship of God][22]
[Lights][23]
[The Unveiling of the Supersensuous][25]
[On the Same][28]
[Illumination][29]
[Dreams][30]
[On Misconceptions][32]
[The Outer and Inner Ailments][34]
[The Origin of Theosophy][36]
[Seeking the Path][37]
[The Pillars of the Path][39]
[Religion, the Path and Truth][39]
[Accessory to Prayers][41]
[Purification][42]
[The Motive][44]
[Prayer][45]
[Invoking the Divine Help][46]
[The Divine Allegiance][47]
[The Sacred Formula][48]
[The Naked Faith][49]
[The Inner Polytheism][51]
[The Divine Knowledge][52]
[Love and Devotion][55]
[Seeking God][58]
[The Way to God][60]
[Speech and Conduct][62]
[Magnanimity][64]
[Knowledge][65]
[The Steps of a Disciple][67]
[Islâm][71]
[The Noble Qualities][73]
[Contemplation][76]
[Renunciation][78]
[On the Same][80]
[The Clearing of the Path][81]
[Self-Control][83]
[Truth][84]
[The Descent from Adam][87]
[Confidence][91]
[Pursuit and Renunciation][92]
[The Company of the Saints][93]
[Service][97]
[The Transmutation of Evil Qualities][99]
[Avarice][101]
[The Evil of the World][103]
[Renunciation of the World][104]
[The Final Doom][106]
[The Soul][108]
[The Heart][109]
[The Desire-Nature (Nafs)][110]
[Desire][112]
[Discipline of the Desire-Nature][114]
[Discipline of the Desire-Nature (Continued)][115]
[Alienation from the Desire-Nature][117]
[Self-Toleration][118]
[Hidden Differences of Stages][118]
[Heedlessness][120]
[Sorrow][121]
[Conduct][122]
[Seclusion][124]
[Death][126]
[Hell][128]
[Heaven][129]