The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page xxi
Preface - Volume I xxi William Muir and “Muḥammad (sa) ” by Professor Margolius as well as various other books. For insight into Arabian geography I have found Mu‘jamul-Buldān to be a helpful and reliable companion. In their comprehensiveness I have found no match to Tārikhul-Khamīs and Sīratul-Ḥalb i yyah, but alas, they are empty of any real research. In short, as per my capacity, I have conducted my work through full research and scrutiny, however: َأن ْ یُّسَامِحَنِی ْ ٳِذَا ا اَلْٳِنْسَان ُ مُرَكَّب ٌ مِّن َ الْخَطَاء ٍ وَالنِّسْیَان ِ فَارْجُو ْ مِمَّن ْ طَالَع َ كِتَابِی ْ ھٰذَا َأن ْ یَّھْدِیَنِی ْ ٳِلی ٰ الصِّرَاط ِ الْمُسْتَقِیْم ِ فَٳِنَّه ُ لَا ا َ وَقَف َ عَلی ٰ خَطَاء ٍ اَو ْ سَھْو ٍ فِیْه ِ و َ یَدْعُوْا اللّٰه 1 َأضِلَّه ُ بِیَدِہ ِ الْخَیْر ُ كُلُّه ُ وَھُو الْمُسْتَعَانُ. ا ْ مُضِل ٌّ لِمَن ْ ھَدَاہ ُ وَلَا ھَادِی َ لِمَن I offer a gesture of heart-felt gratitude to all those dear friends through whom I may have received any kind of assistance in the preparation of this book. Namely, my honourable professor, Ḥaḍrat Maulawī Sher ‘Alī Ṣāḥib B. A. (the editor of The Review of Religions – Qadian), whose constructive criticism benefitted me tremendously. Moreover, my honourable Sir Maulawī Faḍl Dīn Ṣāḥib (Barrister, Qadian), who, in addition to reviewing the manuscripts, also assisted me significantly in the acquisition of references as required. Then, my honourable Master Aḥmad Ḥusain Ṣāḥib of Farīdabād (then Qādiān), who improved this work from a literary standpoint as necessary. This humble one, Mirzā Bashīr Aḥmad 14 th of Shawwāl , 1338 Hijrī (1 st of July 1920) 1 Man is one to commit mistakes and is negligent. I request he who studies this book of mine, that if he comes across a mistake or omission herein, he is generous enough to pray to Allāh, that He may guide me unto the right path. Indeed, there is no misguidance for the one whom He guides, and there is no guidance for the one whom He lets go astray. All good is by His hand, and He is the Helper. (Publishers)