Praise be to God who is high, above all things (lit. those which are unlike, and those which are like to each other), and blessing be on Muḥammad, the elected, the best of all created beings, and on his family, the guides of righteousness and truth.
One of the exquisite plans in God's management of the affairs of his creation, one of the glorious benefits which he has bestowed upon the entirety of his creatures, is that categorical decree of his, not to leave in in his world any period without a just guide, whom he constitutes as a protector for his creatures, with whom to take refuge in unfortunate and sorrowful cases and accidents, and upon whom to devolve their affairs, when they seem indissolubly perplexed, so that the order of the world should rest upon—and its existence be supported by—his genius. And this decree (that the affairs of mankind should be governed by a prophet) has been settled upon them as a religious duty, and has been linked together with the obedience towards God, and the obedience towards his Prophet, through which alone a reward in future life may be obtained—in accordance with the word of him, who is the truth and justice—and his word is judgment and decree, "O ye believers, obey God, and obey the prophets, and those among yourselves who are invested with the command." (Sûra iv. 62.)
Therefore, thanks be to God for those blessings, which he has bestowed upon his servants, by exalting our master, the commander, the prince, the glorious and victorious, the benefactor, Shams-alma'âlî, may God
