Nasir al-Din Tusi, the renowned Shi'i scholar of the 13th century, produced a range of writings in different fields of learning under Ismaili patronage and later under the Mongols. This is a new English translation of his Rawda-yi taslim - the single most important Ismaili text from the Alamut period. Here the Persian and English texts are published together for the first time to produce a work of enormous value to students of Islamic theology and philosophy. The book contains an introduction by Professor Hermann Landolt and philosophical commentary by Professor Christian Jambet, who has produced a French translation of this text.

Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, the 13th-century Shi'i philosopher and scholar, is one of the most controversial Muslim personalities of his time. His contributions to different fields of learning, including astronomy, theology and philosophy, won for him the honorific titles of scholar ("Muhaqiq") and the "Eleventh Intellect". In Isma'ili circles he was held in the highest esteem and addressed as "Da'i al-du'at wa khwaja-i ka'inat", chief propagandist and master of creation. This is al-Tusi's spiritual autobiography. Although it is not traditionally listed in his writings, contemporary scholars have no doubts about its authenticity. In it, al-Tusi recounts his spiritual attraction and conversion to Isma'ilism. The work of and inquisitive and highly intelligent mind, the importance of this document lies not only in al-Tusi's account of his spiritual journey but also in his clear and vivid elaboration of the Shi'i Isma'ili doctrine of "ta'lim", or the need for authoritative teaching by the Isma'ili imam.