One of the most essential Muslim beliefs is that Islam is a permanent and an everlasting religion as mentioned clearly in a number of verses of the Holy Quran. It is mentioned that:

وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ

And so also:

مَا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِنْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ

The Arabic word of 'Lan ' ‘ﻟﻦ’ (never) in the first verse implies that other than Islam, nothing ever would be accepted and in the second verse since Prophet Muhammad is mentioned to be the last (seal) prophet, it shows that no other religion is to come after Islam and that Islam is a religion forever.

If Islam is a lasting religion, it implies that it must be perfect. Regarding this, the Quran says:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِإِثْمٍ ۙ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

According to this holy verse, Islam is complete and is without any defect, not only with regard to the day this verse was revealed, as popularly known, during the Farewell Hajj during the last days of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), on the contrary it is complete and defectless for all times; therefore it deserves to endure forever and that its lawful and prohibited would remain in force till Judgment Day, that which is declared as lawful by Muhammad would remain lawful till Judgment Day and that it does not require any other prophet or religion to make it perfect.

The perfection of Islam pertains to all its aspects: like beliefs, ethics, political, social, worship and economic laws. All its rules and regulations are perfect. This miraculous aspect of Islam is concealed in the Holy Quran and manifested through the words and actions of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) who themselves are defectless and pure.

God is the protector of Islam

Almighty Allah has protected this noble religion of Islam in every age; as He says:

إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ لَحَافِظُونَ

Thus after the passing of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), Allah protected it through the Twelve Holy Imams (a.s.) whenever unbelievers and atheists tried to harm it and created trouble by means of intrigues, plots and doubts to weaken the belief of people. The Almighty Allah rebutted them through the words and writings of Imams; and mischief-makers were always defeated. This can be known clearly from books like Ihtijaaj of Shaykh Tabarsi etc.

During the occultation of His Eminence, the Master of the Age (a.t.f.s.) the divine religion is supported through practicing scholars and supporters of faith. Whenever an atheist tries to create misguidance, providence brings out one or more scholars of Islam and helps Islam through them.

Shameless Pahalavi Regime and encouragement to irreligiosity

Simultaneous with establishment of the disgraceful Pahalavi regime in Iran, rule of Kamal Pasha in Turkey and Saud family in Hijaz etc. through colonialism, a devastating flood of irreligiosity in the name of communism and materialism or at least, disbelief overtook the entire area, polluting the pure and noble natures of inexperienced teenagers by insinuating delusive doubts by some selfish persons who were apparently highly learned.

These antique doubts, which were already replied to years ago in books, were again put to the uninformed youth and they, instead of referri ng to reliable religious scholars, turned to some false groups having religious titles, such as Bahai, Wahabi and Kisravi etc. invented and nourished by colonialist powers.

Khaalisee was an enlightened and learned man

In these sensitive circumstances, the late Muhammad Khaalisee, who died nearly fifteen years ago in Tehran, was an intelligent and a studious man; he had benefited to great extent from the company of scholars, some of whom were in the forefront in their struggle against other sects. As can be seen from question 30 (in this book) in which he has hinted about his debates against Christians.

A few years before his death, he sent his booklet to us for correction and printing. It was about some objections raised by false and misguided groups. But I, on the basis of the saying that "falsehood is wiped out by discarding it", did not approve its printing. This upright gentleman, under the impact of his own studies and also due to his association with some other people, approached the divine scholar, His Eminence Ayatullah Haaj Sayyid Abdul Husain Dastghaib (r.a.) in whom he had much faith and behind whom he had prayed, and requested for written replies to the said questions. He was very much impressed by the replies of the great scholar. The grand scholar was also pleased and he granted him permission to print that book. Subsequent editions of it also thereafter were sold out soon.

Ayatullah Dastghaib was highly concerned about revising some replies and also a number of activities delayed the publication of this book. But now, by the grace of Allah, it is being presented to the readers in a much attractive style and in enough number of copies. It is in many ways, better than the earlier editions.

Distinction of this edition

Formerly this book was divided into seven parts containing questions about Monotheism, Divine Justice, Prophethood, Imamate, Resurrection, Islamic law and Miscellany. There were in all 82 questions, which became the title of this book. In this edition:

1. A supplement is added comprising of two important questions on current topics: Governance of the Jurist and the preamble to reappearance of Imam Mahdi (a.s.).

2. More explanation is added to almost all replies.

3. Regarding question 57 about prayers in Polar Regions, benefit is obtained from the writings of the respected Agha Nasir Makarim and while replying to question 58 about slavery in Islam, we have benefited from the writings of Sayyid Qutub. These two articles are given at the end and they are satisfactory replies to today's most debated topics.

Sayyid Muhammad Hashim Dastghaib