Sayyid Muḥammad Ḥusayn Ṭabāṭabā'ī is the author of many studies in Islamic philosophy. His book Shi'ite Islam, edited by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, was also published by the State University of New York Press. William Chittick is a Professor of Religious Studies at State University of New York, Stony Brook. He is author of The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi and nine other books.

"This volume is particularly pertinent at the present moment, when volcanic eruptions and powerful waves of a political nature associated with the name of Islam in general and Shi'ism in particular have made an authentic knowledge of things Islamic imperative, lest ignorance destroy the very foundations of human society and the relations which make discourse between various nations and religious communities possible." — Seyyed Hossein Nasr

• Introduction: Seyyed Hossein Nasr Translator's Introduction Foreword:Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabataba'i Part I: On the Unity of God A. The Prophet 1. Profession of Faith2. God's AttributesB. cAli, the First Imam 1. The Transcendent Lord2. Via negativa3. Firm Rooting in Knowledge4. The Fairest of Creators5. Oneness6. Discernment7. The Vision of the HeartC. al-Baqir, the Fifth Imam: The Incomparable Lord D. Jac far al-Sadiq, the Sixth Imam 1. Seeing God2. The name that can be named...E. Musa, the Seventh Imam: The Mighty and Majestic F. the Eighth Imam 1. Profession of Unity2. The VeilNotes: Pan I Part II: The Ruler and Society Instruction to Malik al-Ashtar Notes: Pan II Part III: The Spiritual Life: Prayer and Supplication A. al-Husayn, the Third Imam: Prayer for the Day of c Arafah B.the Fourth Imam 1. In Praise of God2. Prayer for the Morning and EveningC. Muhammad al-Mahdi, the Twelfth Imam: Prayer for the Month of Rajab Notes: Part III Appendix: The Twelve Imams Bibliography Index