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A MUST READ BOOK WITH ILLUSTRATIONS! "The Risala dar Haqiqat-i Din, Treatise on the True Meaning of Religion" by Pir Shâhbûddin Shah Aga Khan is a must in Ismaili religious literature. In it, we find everything we ought to know about our faith and life. Pir Shâhbûddin Shah had written it for and at the request of the Ismailis before his death.
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It is THE book that not only Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah had requested to include in the curriculum of religious classes, but also at the Grand Conference of Ismaili Leaders held from 4 to 8 July 1952 in Evian (France), Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah had stated that "The publication of the Russian professor Ivanow, sponsored by the Ismailia Association of Bombay, has opened the eyes of a large number of people concerned (i.e. the Ismailis). Pir Shâhbûddin Shah's “True Meaning of Religion” has opened the eyes of certain Europeans."

For instance, about LIFE, Pir Shâhbûddin Shah explains that: “Life is the most precious thing that man possesses... Once lost, it is irretrievable and never returns. Who can regain even a moment of life that has passed? This is why I say that it is priceless, for what can replace it? It is a kind of capital by the investment of which one can acquire the treasures of the Mercy of God for oneself. You can build your own salvation (âkhrat) upon a single moment. In a single moment, of which one makes a proper use, one can place oneself near to God. If you realize the value of life, and keep yourself ready, you can make a bargain with such a single moment, gaining imperishable profit. It will be never lost for you, never diminishing. So do not waste time. If you waste your time, or throw your energy in paths which do not lead to anything good, wasting opportunities in a foolish manner, you will lose everything. Have you ever heard of a clever merchant who spent his time in trade which did not bring him any profit, and even involved the loss of his capital, or actually lost it? Think, therefore, for yourselves, friends, and say to yourselves: — “I want my capital to be used in the trade by which I can obtain the profit of eternal life. ”

In the conclusion, he says: “Thus, with the help of God, in labour and worship, in the struggle with your own evil impulses, with the spiritual knowledge kept alive in your heart, with certainty in reason, with study and acquisition of a religious education, with the vision (or the image, face/sûrat) of the Saints of God (i.e. Imams, Prophet, Pirs, Panj Tan Pâk) and of their example in the heart, by the discharge of your duties, — you will attain a high degree of spiritual refinement, as it has been systematically explained. If you do all this, you may attain the degree which you seek. You have to seek it, and it depends on Mawla not to leave you without a chance.