Here’s the English translation:


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*Tazkira Sufiya-e-Kiram Series*

*3) Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Kharraz, author of _Kitab al-Sidq*_


Hazrat Abu Sa‘id Ahmad bin Isa al-Kharraz is counted among the illustrious Sufis of the third century AH. It is regrettable that we know very little about the circumstances of his life. As usual, biographers have attributed many miracles to him, but none of those miracles can reach the level of proof; therefore, we refrain from including them. Although there is also disagreement about his date of death, the prevailing view is that he passed away in 286 AH.


From the biographies it is known that al-Kharraz used to meet from time to time with Dhul-Nun al-Misri, Bishr ibn al-Harith, Sirri al-Saqati, and al-Nabaji, and all these elders greatly respected him.


It is possible that he wrote several books, but to date only _Kitab al-Sidq_ has come to light as attributed to him. After Harith al-Muhasibi’s _Kitab al-Ri‘aya_, this is the oldest book on Tasawwuf that is available in printed form.


Maulana Jami wrote in _Nafahat al-Uns_ that al-Kharraz’s name was Ahmad ibn Isa; al-Kharraz was a title. His homeland was Baghdad. For some time he resided in Mecca Mukarrama as a custodian of the Ka‘ba, and he passed away in 286 AH.


The summary of the circumstances Sheikh Fariduddin Attar recorded about him in _Tadhkirat al-Awliya_ is this: al-Kharraz’s title was _Sidq_. In the Path he attained the rank of _ijtihad_. It is also narrated from him that he saw in a dream that two angels came to him and asked, “What is _sidq_?” I replied, “_Al-wafa’ bil-‘ahd_,” meaning fulfilling the promise. They said, “_Sadaqta_,” meaning “You have spoken the truth.” After that they ascended to the sky.[truthfulness]


*Introduction to _Kitab al-Sidq_ —*

The Sheikh began his book in the form of questions and answers. Accordingly, he first posed the question: “What is _sidq_?” He himself answered: “_Sidq_ is that essence which encompasses all meanings.” After that he first gave a brief explanation, then elaborated in detail. In brief, he stated that whoever seeks salvation in the Hereafter should first acquire the knowledge of these three principles.[truthfulness]

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