Contents Page number (in the original Arabic text) 2. Preface. 5. Sections of the book and their subjects.

6. Introductory account of the beginning of creation. 11. The seven meanings of "child." 13. First section: The return of the human being to his original home, by three stages. 16. The real human being, the saint [wali], and those endowed with charismatic t alents [karamat]. 17. Second section: The reduction of the human being to the lowest of the low. The meaning of contemplation and acts of worshipful service. 18. The tree of the affirmation of Oneness [tawhid] and its fruit. 19. Third section: The shops of the spirit in the body. Division of knowledge in to knowledge on the tongue and knowledge in the inner core.

24. Fourth section: The number of the sciences [ ulum]. Explanation of the Sacred La w [Shari a], the Spiritual Path [Tariqa], Direct Knowledge [Ma rifa] and Reality [Haqiq ]. 28. Fifth section: Repentance [tawba] and verbal instruction [talqin]. 29. Occurrences of the affirmation of Oneness [tawhid] in the Qur'an. How Gabriel (peace be upon him) instructed the Prophet (peace be upon him) in remembrance and the profession of faith. 33. Inner knowledge [ ces. ilm batin], all forms of direct experience, and exoteric scien

36. Sixth section: Concerning the people of spiritual culture [tasawwuf]. The di fference between the ascetics and the people of intimate knowledge. 38. Meanings of the term tasawwuf. 40. Seventh section: Practices of remembrance [adhkar]. 41. The child of inner m eanings, and the perfection of its spirit. 42. Eighth section: Prerequisites of remembrance [dhikr].