A few words with the dear readers

I cannot precisely recall when, nor on which page of which work, nor by which author I encountered the notion that an individual's life incessantly transforms into memories of the past, while connections with others manifest themselves as invaluable lessons. I contemplate the moments I have yet to archive in the annals of my past, acutely aware that, sooner or later, they too will dissipate, leaving an indelible mark on my memory as cherished recollections, and reflecting on the individuals who failed to impart significant teachings.

Sweet teachings, profound lessons, insights that elucidate the essence of life, revelations that illuminate the existential void, lessons that enable one to appreciate the significance of fleeting moments, teachings that foster the recognition of the ephemeral and transient, lessons that nurture benevolence and fortify the resolve to resist the allure of malevolence, insights that encourage the embrace of inner truths, and ultimately, lessons that inspire the sharing of this truth with others.

My father undoubtedly played a pivotal role in assimilating these diverse spiritual lessons. Following my marriage, this responsibility was entrusted to my husband, with whom I meticulously preserved the wisdom gleaned from the myriad encounters of my life, whether under the sun or amidst the rain, during moments of joy or sorrow.

Indeed, at times, these lessons epitomized a step upon the Ladder of Jacob.

In 1935, Clarence Day, an eminent American author of the Twentieth century, penned a volume entitled "Life with My Father." In 1957, the illustrious French writer Marcel Pagnol birthed "The Glory of My Father." Moreover, during the early decades of the Twentieth century, another illustrious French author, also named Marcel, meticulously crafted the timeless magnum opus "In Search of Lost Time," who was none other than the eminent Marcel Proust.

Each of these literary masterpieces occupies a cherished space within my heart, soul, and intellect. They have left a profound imprint, rich in sentiment, upon my consciousness since childhood, leading me to muse that nearly half a century after first encountering them, on a tranquil night, I felt compelled to share fragments of my childhood memories, as they did, to articulate the profound sorrow I endured in the aftermath of my dear father's passing. Not merely for the sake of my own soul, but in recognition of the invaluable, delicate, and often imperceptible yet simultaneously vivid and vibrant lessons that my father imparted to me, as his youngest child.

Many individuals, when inquiring about my father's moral and familial attributes, hold the misguided notion that he was perpetually grave, austere, or even solemn and that he was a pious thinker who regarded the world through a somber or melancholic lens, devoid of humor or joy. In such moments, I find myself astounded by how little they truly knew my father, having approached him only in the twilight of his life, when he was perceived as a very elderly man.

In truth, my father was an extraordinarily exuberant and vivacious individual, brimming with vitality and an abundance of positive, productive, and energetic emotion! This was, in part, attributable to the fact that from his early years, he was nurtured by two formidable pillars.

One of these foundational supports, was his proximity to the city housing the Sacred Sanctuary of Imam Ali Ibn-e Mussa Ar-Reza (May the Divine Peace and Blessings be upon him), revered as the esteemed and unquestionable "Sovereign Lord of the Province of Khorassan" among all Iranians, owing to the affection and veneration that we collectively hold in our hearts.

This fortuitous circumstance enabled my father to regularly visit this hallowed Sanctuary and to metaphorically and perpetually: "respectfully kiss the feet of this benevolent Imam," as we Iranians express, when visiting the holy Sepulcher of this illustrious Islamic figure, throughout his life, thereby finding the opportunity to convey his love and devotion to the Imam fervently and sincerely.

His second pillar, stemmed from the religious and moral Teachings imparted by his illustrious father (my late grandfather), the honorable Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammad Kazem Mahdavi-Damghani (May Eternal Peace be upon him).1

If one seeks a tertiary source of support, it is imperative to consider scholars, educators, ecclesiastics, mystics, poets, intellectuals, and cherished friends, who have perpetually enriched my father's existence with their blessings and presence, akin to a genuine Celestial Gift. This connection profoundly intertwined my father with the faith of his ancestors, and through the Islamic Texts, Persian Literature, and Mysticism, as well as Arab Literary Works, he discerned with even greater clarity the intrinsic significance of his beliefs. This innate awareness compelled him daily to stand with dignity at the threshold of his abode, situated in the historic city of Philadelphia, where he resided for over forty years.

He metaphorically directed his gaze towards the sacred and illuminated Sanctuary of the "Sovereign Lord of Khorassan" : Hazrat 2 Imam Ali Ibn-e Mussa Ar-Reza (May the Divine Peace and Blessings be upon him), to pay homage from a distance, reminiscent of his morning rituals in Iran, and a practice he had maintained since his childhood through adolescence, youth, and ultimately into old age, while non-Iranian passersby walked past him.

Even in the most arduous situations, he steadfastly refused to compromise his convictions in pursuit of alternative objectives, nor did he harbor any analogous desires within his heart. He consistently upheld his beliefs, whether in the presence of Iranians or non-Iranians, in the face of the East and the West, and among both Muslims and non-Muslims, with a resplendent love and unwavering stability, remaining loyal and resolute in his principles and spiritual tenets.

Had his religious and spiritual endeavors lacked authenticity, and not been undertaken with the utmost sincerity, devotion, genuine respect, and, above all, with profound love and affection, he would not stand today before the pure and luminous Sanctuary of his Spiritual Master, nor would he find Eternal Peace within its embrace. With his distinctive personality, he remained perpetually eager to acquire new life lessons. His insatiable thirst for knowledge, both idealistic and pragmatic, knew no bounds. Possessing a mind that was consistently open, clear, respectful, and devoid of prejudice, he was relentlessly enthusiastic about deepening his comprehension of topics pertaining to the Almighty, Faith, Mysticism, and the diverse religious knowledge encompassing all the world's Religions. He continually exhibited remarkable traits that he had meticulously cultivated throughout his life, diligently striving to eschew any manifestations of conflict, violence, or malevolence towards anyone or anything.

His insatiable curiosity for acquiring new concepts and delving into increasingly intricate information regarding the themes that captivated him, compelled him to perpetually broaden his intellectual horizons. This endeavor led him to embrace the use of a computer in his advanced years, allowing him to compose his correspondence independently. At the venerable age of ninety-two, he mastered the intricacies of "WhatsApp," and by ninety-five, -in the final year of his existence-, he embarked on the ambitious project of translating one of the most complex religious texts within the rich tapestry of Islamic literature.

According to his own testimony, this endeavor represented his ultimate homage to the esteemed Prophet of Islam (May Divine Peace and Blessings be upon him and his Family). Such a formidable task drained him of his remaining vitality; yet, how remarkable it is that the essence of a translator, could transcend into a spiritual endeavor of immeasurable worth, thus culminating the life of this devoted servant in such a noble manner, dedicated to the service of humanity!

I am profoundly grateful to Divine Providence for bestowing upon me, with the invaluable assistance of the esteemed Publishing House "Ettela'at" (Information in Farsi), the extraordinary opportunity to present my beloved father with an excerpt from his final translation, just three days before his passing, which brought him immeasurable joy. Conversely, I never envisioned that one day, I would yearn to express myself differently. This time, instead of translating Classic or Contemporary Works from the West and the Far East, or Religious Texts, I would intend to recount a particularly significant chapter from my childhood. The memory of my cherished father, who departed from us on June 17th 2022, is forever etched in my mind. On that fateful day, as my father drew his last breath, I realized that after half a century of existence in this earthly realm, I had become an orphan, bereft of the paternal figure who had illuminated my path for nearly six decades on this terrestrial...