Cognitional gnosis is the foundation of all blessings in this world and in the next, for the most important thing for a man at all times and under all circumstances is knowledge of Allah, Blessed He in Whose hands is Dominion, and He hath power over all things. He Who created Death and Life that He may try mankind that who is the best in deeds. He is the Creator of Heavens and invites to ponder on His signs and see if they are able to find any flaw in His creation. Allah Almighty hath said, “I have only created Jinee and men, that they may serve Me,” and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If you knew Allah as He ought to be known, you would walk on the seas, and the mountains would move at your supplication.” Allah has promised rewards for the pious that follows His commands and punishment for the transgressors. His reward is everlasting and so His punishment. The reality of his reward really cannot be ascertained by the intellect. It is eternal life in the next world in His proximity where one won’t find any anguish or grief. This life is a momentary, rather a testing and trial phase, as He said, who is in doubt concerning it: (Q 34:21), and do you think that you shall enter the Garden without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? (Q 2:154).

In the prevailing era majority of the mankind has been led astray from the righteous path and have become captivated of their sensual desires. They have not only forgotten that for what purpose they were created but have lowered themselves worse than the level of beasts. This world is a heap of rubbish and a place of dogs and one who lingers there is worse than a dog, for a dog takes what he wants from it and goes, but the lover of the world never gets satisfied and neither he likes leaving it at any time. They always remain in the process of accumulating worldly gains and keep on sitting over them like a snake and remain dipped in its love. Their whole activities are more in resemblance to heedlessness and have forgotten their exalted highest state among the creation. Allah gave him the status of His Deputy on earth and commanded that they should worship Him only. Kashf al-Mahjub is in circulation for the last over ten centuries and its reading has caused millions of hearts to find their way to the Truth. It provides ample opportunity to the seeker of the Truth and guides him to his goal even without any inter mediatory. Its teaching is simple and heart throbbing.

The original book is in Persian and is dominated by Persian spoken in Afghanistan and Central Asia. The old hand written scripts of the book are preserved in many European and Asian libraries. For this translation help has been taken from the scripts as mentioned in the note below[1].Though no translation can match the original text, particularly when the use of technical terms encompass the meanings and feelings of the trade holder, it becomes more difficult to translate the expressions in their true sense. However, earnest efforts have been made to produce the work as near to the original as possible. The verses of Quran and sayings of the eminent Sufis has been added in Arabic and their closest possible vocabulary in English has been used in translation. The translation of verses of Quran has been selected from the work of Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Since in Islamic culture the Arabic vocabulary is much in use and understood by all the folks, therefore, such phrases and words which are in common use among Muslim community are made part of the translation along with their English translation. For the benefit of common readers I have tried the keep the language as simple as possible. It is hoped that all those hearts who are desirous of acquiring the knowledge of the Truth and eager of following the righteous path would overcome their thirst by studying this book and Allah willing would achieve their goal of attaining His proximity. As the author says that he has composed this book to polish the hearts of those who are subject to temporary veiling but in whom the substance of light of the Truth is existent, in order that the veil may be lifted from them by the blessing of reading it, and that they may find their way to spiritual reality. May Allah Almighty bless all of us with His Mercies and Bounties both in this world as well as Hereafter.

Lieutenant Colonel (R)

Muhammad Ashraf Javed

[1] Kashf al-Mahjub in Persian (Nuskha Tehran), Printed by Tasawwuf Foundation, Lahore, Kashf al-Mahjub English Translation by Reynold A. Nicholson, Kashf al-Mahjub Urdu Translation by Sayd Muhammad Farooq al-Qadri, and Kashf al-Mahjub Urdu translation and commentary by Captain Wajid Baksh Syal Chishti Sabri.

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