The book, compiled by Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, translated by William Chittick, and with an introduction by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, is a collection of sayings, sermons, prayers and writings that cover the three basic dimensions of Shi'ite tradition: 1. The Unity of God 2. The Ruler and Society, and 3. The Spiritual Life. The book is a part of a series (along with “Shia” and “The Quran in Islam”) aimed at presenting Shi'ism through writings of authetic shia representatives.

Part 1: The Unity of God ( Tawhid ) consists of expositions by the Prophet Mohammad and the Imams (may peace be upon them all) concerning the principle of Tawhid as the fundamental basis of all Islamic sciences, how Islamic sciences are organized around this concept, how the moral virtues are based upon it, and how the practical aspect of Islam are founded upon and derived from these virtues.

Part 2: The Ruler and Society is composed of Imam Ali (pbuh)'s Instructions to Malik al-Ashtar concerning government and its role in society.

Part 3: The Spiritual Life consists of the famous supplication of Imam Hussain on the Day of Arafat.

Adopted from the Introduction by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the author's foreword and www.al-islam.org

Available Online: http://al-islam.org/anthology/index.htm and available through SIA.