The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page xviii
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II xviii control in writing briefly. In this respect, I fear that I have not been able to fully abide by the instructions of Ḥaḍrat Khalīfatul-Masīḥ, may Allah be his helper. I need not say anything in respect to the research and analysis presented herein. This field is so vast that if it were referred to as infinite, this would not be out of order. My own feelings are that whenever I have reviewed this manuscript of Sīrat, I have almost always found a new gate for research. Undoubtedly, there are certain parts where it is evident that more research is required. However, whatever has been completed thus far is being presented to our readers. It is my prayer, that by his grace and mercy, God honours this work with acceptance and He fulfills the actual purpose for which this book was written. Allāhumma Āmīn. A study of volume two reveals that it contains four salient features in addition to volume one: firstly, more extensive research and analysis; secondly, more detail and elaboration; discussions on other topics of relevence and fourthly, the citing of references. Due to these features, it has become necessary that when and if it is felt that a second edition of volume one be published, it should be revised in light of the aforementioned points; otherwise, both these volumes will seem completely disjointed. The books which I have benefited from for the preparation of volume two cannot be fully realised by only those names which are recorded as references in footnotes. Generally, references of the books of contemporaries have not been recorded, because whenever I have found something new or beneficial from these books, instead of citing them, I have consulted the original sources and recorded the references of these early books instead. However, it is obvious that I am still equally indebted to the books written by our contemporaries as well. It is possible that the question may arise in the minds of some that in the presence of Maulānā Shiblī’s Sīrat, what is the use of this book? The answer to this question can only be ascertained by a study of both these works. However, I feel that it is necessary to submit that I fully accept the qualities of Sīratun-Nabī sa [written by Maulānā Shiblī] and in certain instances, I have even benefited from this book and other books published by Dārul-Muṣannifīn.