I would like to acknowledge the debt I owe to my parents and their spiritual ancestors whose blessings and guidance helped me produce this volume. Foremost among whom is my illustrious ancestor Sheikh Abdullah Ansari of Herat, whose spirit guided me through the writing of this book.
I especially wish to celebrate the inspiration that I received from my grandfather Maulana Abdul Bari and my maternal grandfather Shah Hayat Ahmad of Dargah Sharif, Rudauli, and my father Maulana Jamal Mian, whose spiritual intensity, humanism and oceanic knowledge and love of poetry greatly influenced me, and I shall forever lament that I was not able to sit at his feet more often than I did. This is also the moment to thank my cousin Maulana Matin Mian of Firangi Mahal, who epitomizes the enlightened spirit of my ancestors for me.
I would also like to acknowledge a deep debt to my brother Ahmad Abdul Bari or Bari Mian, whose help, support and advice with the translations made this book possible. I must also mention my sisters Farida, for her relentless support, and Amina, who helped me with the editing, as well as my niece Mariam Khan for her diligent biographical research; also Reza Ale Mohammad, who assisted with some of the translations of Sanai Ghaznavi.
I am indebted to the distinguished scholars without whose pioneering work my book would not have been possible. Foremost among these renowned personalities are Professor E. G. Browne, Professor E. J. W. Gibb, E. H. Whinfield and, last but not least, R. A. Nicholson, from whose monumental achievements I have had the good fortune to benefit.
I would also like to thank Professor Francis Robinson, who, though not directly involved in this work, has been the spark that lit the flame of discovery in me to look into my own history and inheritance and shed light on many things I was unaware of about myself and my ancestors. Mention must also be made of Murli, that great qawwali singer whose magic cast its spell on me and infused my being with joy and whose renderings of Hafiz and Rumi are my constant companions. Finally, I would like to thank all my friends and well-wishers who gave me constant support and encouragement; and last but not least, my editor Mariateresa Boffo, whose patience I must have tested.