The thoughts of Mr. Jamal al-Din al-Afghani

These "memoirs" do not address a single topic that organizes issues and matters, some of which lead to others, but are rather scattered chapters that cover a variety of subjects in religion, history, politics, ethics, philosophy, speech, and education. You see the gentleman moving in them from talking about the differences among the people of religions, to discussing parties and politics in the East, and from the virtue of patience and steadfastness to the struggle of annihilation and human savagery, and from the teachings of the Quran and the principles of shura government to the theory of evolution and progress, and from Sunnism and Shiism to socialism, justice, and social issues. All of this is presented in a style that overflows with sincerity, and a clarity that embodies sincerity and detachment. Al-Makhzumi Pasha had turned his attention to recording the sayings of Sayyid Jamal al-Din, and documenting what he discussed in terms of topics, and the opinions and perspectives he presented; a faithful documentation in which he adhered to the exact wording of the Sayyid without addition or reduction. Over the course of five years (1892-1897), he gathered with him the material that composes this book, which he began to compile during the Sayyid’s lifetime, and he named it: "Jamal al-Din al-Afghani in the Ottoman Court." However, the Sayyid was very repelled by this title, saying: "This title is not appropriate; just say: Memoirs, and do not add anything else."