Praise be to Allāh for His inspiration of knowledge of Himself and of guidance towards Himself through obedience to Him. Blessings and salvation be upon the best of His creatures, Muḥammad,
Lord of the Prophets and His sincere friend, and upon the rightly-guided Imams from his progeny. I am recording - Allāh grant me help and success - what you have asked for, of the names of the
Imams of guidance and the dates of their lives; as well as mentioning the places of their tombs and the names of their children and some of their stories which will be useful for knowledge of
their circumstances, so that you may become as thoroughly acquainted (with them) as one who knows them and so that the difference between (various) claims and beliefs about them is clear. Thus
through considering (this account) you may distinguish between obscure errors and proved facts and you may rely on the truth in it with the sureness of one who has justice and the true beliefs of
religion. I am answering what you have asked for, while taking care to be concise and brief in my answer as you have urged and requested that to be. I put my trust in Allāh and seek His guidance
along the path of righteousness.
