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The Secret of Secrets


Synopsis


An interpretative translation by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak of Sirr al-Asrar by Hadrat 'Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (1077-1166AD), considered by many to be one of the greatest saints of Islam and the eponymous founder of the Qadiriyya order. This book, appearing in English for the first time, contains the very essence of Sufism, giving a Sufi explanation of how the outward practises of Islam-prayer, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage-contain a wealth of inner dimension which must be discovered and enjoyed if external actions are to be performed in a manner pleasing to God. When this is achieved the soul finds true peace and the spiritual life becomes complete.

Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, Tosun Bayrak, Islamic Texts Society

Summary

Chapter 1: The Invitation

* Summary: The protagonist, Jett, receives an anonymous invitation to a mysterious party at an abandoned mansion. Intrigued, Jett decides to attend.
* Example: "A thick, cream-colored envelope lay on the doormat, its edges curling slightly. Jett picked it up, his heart pounding with anticipation as he opened it."

Chapter 2: The Mysterious Mansion

* Summary: Jett arrives at the mansion and is greeted by strange and enigmatic attendees. He encounters a masked harlequin who warns him about the secrets hidden within the walls.
* Example: "A towering oak door swung open, revealing a shadowy interior. A masked harlequin emerged from the darkness, a single finger extended in a mysterious gesture."

Chapter 3: The Secret Society

* Summary: Jett learns that the party attendees belong to a secret society that has guarded an ancient secret for centuries. He is initiated into the society and given a cryptic message to decipher.
* Example: "The harlequin unmasked, revealing the face of a wise old woman. 'Welcome, Jett. You have been chosen to learn our secret,' she whispered."

Chapter 4: The Enigmatic Clues

* Summary: Jett embarks on a series of quests to solve the cryptic message. Along the way, he encounters dangerous traps and encounters with suspicious characters.
* Example: "Jett found himself trapped in a maze of winding corridors, each adorned with strange symbols. A flickering torch cast an eerie glow on the walls, illuminating the ominous path ahead."

Chapter 5: The Hidden Chamber

* Summary: Guided by the clues, Jett discovers a hidden chamber beneath the mansion. Within it lies a legendary artifact that holds the key to the society's secret.
* Example: "A heavy iron door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit chamber. In its center, a shimmering orb pulsated with an otherworldly energy."

Chapter 6: The Unveiling of the Secret

* Summary: Jett unveils the secret, which is a profound revelation about the nature of reality and the interconnectedness of all things.
* Example: "As Jett gazed upon the orb, his mind expanded with a flood of understanding. He saw the past, present, and future intertwined, and the universe as a boundless tapestry."

Chapter 7: The Guardian of Secrets

* Summary: Jett confronts the guardian of the secret, a powerful entity that protects the knowledge from falling into the wrong hands.
* Example: "A colossal guardian materialized before Jett, its eyes blazing with an ethereal fire. 'Beware, mortal. The secret you hold must be guarded with all your might.'"

Chapter 8: The Legacy of Knowledge

* Summary: Jett becomes the custodian of the secret, with the responsibility to safeguard it and pass it down to future generations.
* Example: "Jett emerged from the mansion transformed by his newfound knowledge. He carried the secret as a sacred trust, knowing that it would forever shape the destiny of the world."