INSAF NAMA is one of the most important books in Mahdavia religious literature. Its author, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Vali Yusuf (RZ) has collected hundreds of the narrations of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Muhammad Mahdi al-Mau'ood, Alaihis Salam, his Caliphs and his migrant-companions. He is a taba'i (a second-generation follower) and was fortunate enough to live in the company and dairas of all the five Caliphs (RZ) of the Imam (AS). He has seen them and heard from them what the Imam (AS) had said. He quotes the Imam (AS) as reported by only one intermediate narrator and this narrator was essentially the Imam's Caliph or migrant-companion, who had observed the Imam (AS) at close quarters. As such, the narrations in his two books, INSAF NAMA and HASHIA INSAF NAMA, are most authentic. The third book of narrations is NAQLIAT of Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed (RZ), who had pledged fealty (tasdiq or bai'at) on the pious hands of Imam Mahdi (AS) and lived with him and in the company of his Caliphs (RZ) and migrant-companions (RZ).

As stated earlier, INSAF NAMA contains a large number of narrations that give the reader a picture of the life, teachings, commandments and practice of the Imam (AS) and his Caliphs (RZ). They speak of the obligations of Islam (both in Shariat and Vilayat), and show how strictly they were followed by the people then. They present a vivid picture of the life in the daira and how the leader (murshid) wielded his authority and power for the good of the inmates. We feel thoroughly ashamed of ourselves when we look at the lives, we are leading today, and compare them with the lives of the companions of the Imam (AS) and his Caliphs (RZ), the narrations depict. Yet we have the temerity to call ourselves Mahdavis despite our despicable neglect of the Imam's teachings.

Hazrat Vali Yusuf (RA) wrote the INSAF NAMA originally in Persian. Hazrat Syed Dilawar Goray Miyan (RA) translated it into Urdu and published it with the original Persian text in 1368 AH. The Mahdavia community is greatly indebted to him for his services in translating a large number of our Persian books into Urdu. Some more Urdu prints of this book have come out afterwards.
Today's need for an English translation of INSAF NAMA was keenly felt as many of the Mahdavi students are opting for English medium education in schools and colleges. We are, therefore, immensely thankful to MAHDAVIA FOUNDATION for getting this book translated and published in English.

Hazrat Syed Ziaullah Miyan of Channapatna (Karnataka State in India) has translated INSAF NAMA into English. He has good and long experience of translating books into English and has already translated some Mahdavia books, such as AQIDA SHARIFA, Al-QAUL AL-MAHMOOD, et cetra. INSAF NAMA is a sizeable book with a large number of Quranic Verses, Prophetical Traditions (Ahadiths) and the Imam's narrations (Naqliat). Its translation into English is a difficult job. But Ziaullah Sahib has done it in an easy-to-read style. The reader may feel that he is reading an English book, not a translation. His work needs to be praised.
Now, a word about MAHDAVIA FOUNDATION. It is a society of enthusiastic Mahdavi young men and women, whose main objective is to disseminate the message of Mahdaviat far and wide, in various languages, including English, Urdu and Hindi, to benefit the community.

I hope that this translation will be appreciated by the readers and encourage the MAHDAVIA FOUNDATION to intensify their praise-worthy efforts to spread the Imam's message in the future as well.
Hyderabad, A.P., March 11, 2001.

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