BENEFIT 521: Why does an author place his name at the beginning of a book?

The eminent scholar Al-Biqāʿī (may Allāh have mercy on him) said: As for the author, he is the one who composes the book, placing his name upon it so that his standing may be known and confidence placed in it. Indeed, the purified Sunnah has established this practice in the Prophet’s—peace and blessings be upon him—sending of letters, wherein he introduced himself by saying: “From Muhammad.” Since the purpose was obedience to what he commanded in those grave matters, and to prevent exceeding the proper bounds with regard to him—as was done with Ēsā, peace be upon him—he described himself in the manner that was required, saying: “the servant of Allāh and His Messenger.” He then clarified the aim by his statement: “I call you with the call of Islam.” Thereafter, he pointed to the benefit, by way of encouragement and warning: “Embrace Islam and you will be safe; Allāh will grant you your reward twice. But if you turn away, upon you shall be the sin of the Arians.” Then he indicated the defining boundary of Islam, namely disavowal of the worship of anything other than Allāh, to the end of what he mentioned in the Exalted’s saying: “Bear witness that we are Muslims” [Āl ʿImrān: 64]. Thus he indicated that this is Islam. [ʿUnwān Az-Zamān by Al-Biqāʿī (p. 36)]