Is asking the rightful intercessors for intercession [shafā‘ah] tantamount to polytheism [shirk]?

While discussing this question, it is assumed that intercession [shafā‘ah] exclusively rests with God as it is stated in the Holy Qur’an: ﴾ جَمِيعًا الشَّفَٰعَةُ للهِ قُل ﴿ “Say, ‘All intercession rests with Allah’.”[1][1] Therefore, turning ...

( 2024-07-23 07:55:42 )

Do the Shī‘ah believe in the taḥrīf [distortion] of the Qur’an?

Reply: Renowned Shī‘ah scholars are of the opinion that the Holy Qur’an is free from any kind of taḥrīf [distortion], and the version of the Qur’an which is in our hands today is the same as the heavenly book which was revealed to the Holy Prophet (ṣ) and it has been subject to no deletion or addition. In order to clarify this point, let us consider pieces of evidence that follow: 1. The Lord of the worlds has guaranteed the Muslims ...

( 2024-07-23 05:50:02 )

Does Imam Mahdi (A.S) get depressed and shed tears because of the sins we commit?

It has been mentioned in the Holy Quran that says: and say do whatever you desire that Allah Almighty, his prophets and the believers will soon observe your deeds and you will soon be returned to the one who is all-knowing. Then you will be aware of what you used to do.it has been explicitly mention in a narration that the believers in this verse are the infallible ...

( 2024-07-23 02:35:47 )

Does the verse "فما استمتعتم به منهّن فاتوهن اجورهنّ فریضة" imply temporary marriage?

What is meant by istimta in the verse "فما استمتعتم به منهّن فاتوهن اجورهنّ فریضة"; (For the enjoyment you have had from them thereby, give them their dowries, by way of settlement) , is intimacy and taking pleasure, so the verse is saying: Whenever you have taken pleasure in women provide them with their mahr (dowry). The Shiite and also a group of scholars from the Sunni school of thought maintain: The ...

( 2024-07-23 01:30:15 )

Late Ayatollah Bahjat has been quoted as having said: "The aged ones of this era will witness the moment of the reappearance of the Imam of Time (atf)." What is your opinion concerning this saying of the late Ayatollah?

Late Ayatollah Bahjat has been quoted as having said: "The aged ones of this era will witness the moment of the reappearance of the Imam of Time (atf)." What is your opinion concerning this saying of the late Ayatollah?Concise answer We have enquired the office of late Ayatollah Bahjat about whether or not the Ayatollah had said those words and they denied that he had said them. Instead, His Eminence had said that whenever difficulties and ...

( 2024-07-23 00:23:50 )

Some relatives insult people's beliefs and sanctities, should we stop visiting them?

If there is an opportunity of enjoining good and forbidding wrong (Amr bil Maroof & Nahi Anil Munkar), it is incumbent upon you to do your duty, but if there is no efficacy in doing so, you are expected to restrict your relationship with such people but cutting and abandoning family Ties or “Silat-ur-Rahim” is not advisable. “Silat-ur-Rahim” which means maintaining the bond of kinship and visiting relatives is of the ...

( 2024-07-22 00:49:57 )

What is our duty during the time of Imam Mahdi’s occultation?

Our duties during the Imam’s occultation are very much the same duties we have during his presence. One could briefly say that the greatest duty of the Shias during this period is to await Faraj and Imam Mahdi’s government. Awaiting Faraj means to carry out all commands of the Quran, the prophet and his household.Detailed Answer 1- Learning and gaining knowledge about religion in terms of Aghaed, Ahkam, Akhlagh. He must enhance his ...

( 2024-07-17 06:19:15 )

The Secrets of the Quran oaths

The term oath (ghasam- قسم) in the Arabic language is synonymous with swear (sogandسوگند-). In other word it means a confession and admission that a person says over his honor and counts Allah or someone great as a witness. Swearing is not for a nation or a particular language but during all past eras it was commonly used among the nations and people. In the Qur'an, in the verse of 104, about 118 oaths have been ...

( 2024-07-15 08:06:58 )

When it is Haram to ask a woman for marriage/the Grand Ayatollah Shobairi’s answer

The Grand Ayatollah Shobairi answered a question about when it is Haram to ask a woman for marriage.

Question: Is it allowed to ask a divorced woman for marriage when she is observing her Iddah (certain period of time a woman must observe after divorce before she can marry again)?

The Grand Ayatollah Shobairi: If she is in Iddah of revocable divorce, asking to marry her is Haram.

( 2024-07-14 04:37:35 )

Are we allowed to attend the majalis (gatherings) of Imam Hussein (as) at the houses of those muslims who treat Imam Ali (as) as God?

Concise answer Although holding mourning sessions and gatherings for Imam Husein (as) and his companions is a great act that brings one massive blessings and rewards, yet if these gatherings are used to strengthen and propagate false teachings that contradict true Islamic beliefs taught to us by the imams, not only will attending them not draw any blessings, it will most probably entail the anger of Allah (swt) as well. Detailed Answer Your ...

( 2024-07-13 01:36:44 )

During ziyārah, why do the Shī‘ah kiss the doors and walls of the shrine of awliyā’ and seek blessings [tabarruk] whereby?

During ziyārah, why do the Shī‘ah kiss the doors and walls of the shrine of awliyā’ and seek blessings [tabarruk] whereby? Reply: Seeking blessings [tabarruk] through the remnants (and symbols) of the saints [awliyā’] of God is not a new phenomenon among Muslims; rather, this behavior can be traced back to the ...

( 2024-07-12 04:08:07 )

The ruling about taking upper body clothes off in mourning ceremonies/the Grand Ayatollah Safi’s answers

Question: Is it allowed to beat the chest whilst taking upper body clothes off in mourning ceremonies of Imam Hussain (AS)? Question: What is the ruling if taking off upper body clothes in mourning ceremonies is ...

( 2024-07-12 02:01:50 )

Military training for women

Question: I am a girl who would like to serve the revolution by entering the Revolutionary Guards Corps, but my father does not approve. Please could you tell me what my position is according to the shari’a law? Reply: The sisters may become revolutionary guards so long as Islamic precepts are observed. You had better seek your father’s consent. Istifta’at Vol. 1, p. 503. As I said earlier, women can join the ...

( 2024-07-12 01:01:03 )

Games

1 Question: Are wrestling and boxing allowed? Answer: It is permissible to engage in wrestling and boxing without betting as long as it does not lead to serious bodily harm. 2 Question: Is it permissible to watch or engage in sports games with balls? Answer: It is permissible to engage in sports games with balls like football (soccer), basketball, volleyball, table tennis, handball, etc. It is also permissible to watch such ...

( 2024-07-10 05:00:43 )

The range of the soil of Karbala/the Grand Ayatollah Makarem’s answer

Question: What is the range of the soil of ...

( 2024-07-09 07:56:21 )

For the Western audience: DOES GOD EXIST?

When Moses asked God that he would like to see him directly, he meant using his physical eyes, what was God’s reply? God said, “Look at the bush!” When Moses looked at the bush, the bush bursts into flames and Moses fainted. That is a piece of information for us from God that Divine nature is beyond the physical realm and physical sense perceptions cannot be used to perceive God. How then are we to see God if Divine nature is ...

( 2024-07-09 06:47:15 )

The use of weapons of mass destruction in disbelieving countries/the Grand Ayatollah Sobhani’s answer

The Grand Ayatollah Sobhani answered a question about the use of weapons of mass destruction in disbelieving countries. Question: Is the use of weapons of mass destruction allowed in disbelieving countries considering that the narration from the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) forbade such use? The Grand Ayatollah Sobhani: As well as the mentioned narration (from the Prophet (PBUH)), from the point of view of wisdom and other principles, the use of ...

( 2024-07-09 06:47:14 )

Did Imam Al-Hussein have a daughter named “Ruqayyah” or “Sukainah” who passed away in Damascus while she was around 3-4 years old?

questionDid Imam Al-Hussein have a daughter named “Ruqayyah” or “Sukainah” who passed away in Damascus while she was around 3-4 years old? As far as I know, it is not cited clearly anywhere in acceptable first-hand references (e.g. al-Irshad). Even the first narrator of the story, Imaduddin al-Tabari, the author of “Kamel Baha’i”, left it ambiguous by not mentioning the little girl’s name [assuming ...

( 2024-07-08 06:48:36 )

Some of the incidents pertaining to the event of Karbala do not seem to be rational? How can they be justified?

complete question I am from Tehran. Today, March 26 2010 I received an email which raises doubts concerning the event of Karbala, one of the deeply rooted Shiite beliefs. Given the fact that your institute has some of the best researchers and experts in Islamic sciences and that replying to such questions is a part of its mission, I appeal you to deal with the question after you have studied it thoroughly. I pray to God, the Exalted, to grant ...

( 2024-07-05 04:41:02 )

Is calling on someone tantamount to worshipping him and to polytheism?

What has prompted this question to be posed is the outward meaning of some of the verses of the Qur’an, which seemingly prohibit invoking anyone other than Allah. ﴾ أَحَدًا اللهِ مَعَ تَدْعُوا فَلاَ للهِ الْمَسٰجِدَ وَأَنَّ ﴿ “The places of worship belong to ...

( 2024-07-05 04:41:02 )