This volume of the Islamic Reference Series, "Spiritual Message of Islam," edited by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, explores various aspects of Islamic spirituality, aiming to provide readers with theoretical and practical knowledge for their spiritual journey. The book emphasizes the profound significance of knowing God and the path to Him, stating that proper knowledge clarifies the path and eases the journey. It encourages deliberate attempts to gain knowledge about one's origin, present, and future, and how they interact.
The book features six papers:
* "Spiritual Direction: An Islamic Perspective on Self-purification" by Dr. Mohammad Ali Shomali, which examines the importance of self-purification in Islam and outlines practical instructions from Muslim spiritual masters.
* "Invocation of God: The Only Way to Human Salvation and Prosperity" by Ayatollah Muhsin Araki, who argues that remembrance of God is central to Islamic spirituality and leads humanity from darkness to light, achieving peace and righteousness.
* "The Principle and Practice of the Remembrance of God: An Islamic Perspective" by Dr. Reza Shah-Kazemi, continuing the discussion on remembrance of God as the essence of religious devotion and a contemplative practice.
* "Contemplation in Islamic Spirituality" by Mrs. Mahnaz Heydarpoor, studying the meaning and significance of contemplation, arguing that an hour of contemplative worship is more valuable than a year without it.
* "Reflections on Prayer: A Muslim Perspective" by Dr. Mohammad Fanaei Eshkevari, analyzing prayer as a form of remembrance of God, including its aspects of praise, thanksgiving, asking forgiveness, and petition, and comparing examples from the Bible and Qur'an.
* "Religion and Mysticism" by Dr. Abolfazl Sajedi, which defines religion and mysticism, and explores the position of mysticism in divine religions, particularly Islam, and the advantages of religious mysticism.
