Questions Relating to Ashura/Karbala (1)

Question: Why did Imam Husain (a.s.) take his family with him to Karbala? He knew that their fate was death. Why did he not leave them and allow them to remain behind or stay in a safe place? Answer: The holy uprising of Imam Husain (a.s.) has two dimensions: 1. Martyrdom. 2. Accomplishing a Mission. The primary role of the women can be seen in the second dimension. Of course the women did have a role in upbringing and encouraging the warriors ...

( 2024-06-05 06:14:24 )

Do All Muslims Pray the Same Way?

These differences arise because of lack of consistency in the reports that describe the praying style of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). However, these differences are usually very minor. All Muslims pray to the only God, Allah. We all pray facing the same direction (the Ka'ba in Mecca). We all have the same number of obligatory prayers, with the same number of units in each prayer. We all have to recite Qur'anic verses in our prayers, and ...

( 2024-06-05 00:48:49 )

Is seeking help from someone other than God regarded as a kind of polytheism [shirk]?

Is seeking help from someone other than God regarded as a kind of polytheism [shirk]? Reply: From the viewpoint of reason and logic of revelation, just as all human beings, nay, all phenomena of the world, are in need of God in their creation, they are also in need of Him for their subsistence. In this regard, the Holy ...

( 2024-06-03 06:36:11 )

Historical Factors and Shi’ism

QUESTION: Have historical factors influenced the development of Shiaism, or is this sect a set of beliefs derived from the Qur’an and the clear traditions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family)? ANSWER: We need to explain several points in order to shed light on the topic and show that: (a) historical factors and events had no role in the development of Shiaism and the belief in the existence of an Imam who will save humanity ...

( 2024-06-03 04:25:40 )

Tirmidhī narrates this ḥadīth, too and says: ‘It is an authentic [ṣaḥīḥ] and sound [ḥasan] ḥadīth’, and the commentator of this ḥadīth says in the book, Riyāḍ aṣ-Ṣāliḥīn:

He then adds: “Tirmidhī narrates this ḥadīth, too and says: ‘It is an authentic [ṣaḥīḥ] and sound [ḥasan] ḥadīth’, and the commentator of this ḥadīth says in the book, Riyāḍ aṣ-Ṣāliḥīn: ‘Umm Thābit cut off the mouth of the waterskin so as to keep for herself the place of the Prophet’s mouth whereby she sought blessing [tabarruk]. Similarly, the Companions would drink water from where the Prophet used to ...

( 2024-06-03 02:20:16 )

Following a Mujtahid

1 Question: What are the ways through which I can identify the most learned of Mujtahids? Answer: There are three ways of identifying a Mujtahid, and the A'alam: * when a person is certain that a particular person is a Mujtahid, or the most learned one. For this, he should be a learned person himself, and should possess the capacity to identify a Mujtahid or an A'alam; * when two persons, who are learned and just and possess the ...

( 2024-06-02 08:57:42 )

In what conditions watching comedy programmes allowed? The Grand Ayatollah Khamenei’s answer

The Grand Ayatollah Khamenei answered a question about watching or listening to comedy programmes.

Question: Is watching or listening to comedy programmes in television and radio allowed?

The Grand Ayatollah Khamenei: There is no problem in listening or watching comedy programmes unless they involve in insulting a believer.

( 2024-06-02 06:44:53 )

Is the tradition mentioned in Shia books about Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) praying behind Marwan bin Hakam reliable?

Is the tradition mentioned in Shia books about Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Hussain (AS) praying behind Marwan bin Hakam reliable?Concise answerThe narrations regarding Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein (AS) offering prayers behind Marwan have been narrated in Shia sources through different chains of transmission. One of the narrations has been narrated from Imam Ja'far Sadiq (AS) and the other from Imam Musa bin Ja'far (AS). These narrations are treated ...

( 2024-06-02 05:38:10 )

Grand Ayatollah Sistani answers some inquiries regarding gold

Grand Ayatollah Sistani answers some inquiries regarding ...

( 2024-06-02 04:36:21 )

Are Ali bin Ibrahim Qummi's tafsir and his masters (mashayikh) reliable?

Salamun Alaykom. My question is in regards to authenticity of Tafsir Qummi. Many scholars have doubted the available Tafsir Qummi. However, Ayatollah Khoi trusted narrations of Tafsir al-Qummi present in Wasail al-Shi'ah, and considered Tareeq of Sheikh Hur Amili to this book authentic. Some of the chains mentioned by Sheikh Hur Amili in his Wasail to Tafsir Qummi, al Kafi etc. pass via Sheikh Al-Majlisi. And Sheikh al-Majlisi never doubted ...

( 2024-06-02 04:36:20 )

Where and when did mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S.) start first?

questionWhen we look at the lives of the Holy Prophet (S) and the Imams (A.S.), not only we do not see anything about mourning and lamentation but there are evidence and sayings prohibiting such acts. For example, Hamza (A.S.) was martyred in the Battle Uhud or later when Ja’far bin Abi Talib was martyred, not only the Prophet (S) did not hold such ceremonies but he forbade others from doing so. Now, the question arises as to when and how ...

( 2024-06-01 06:05:41 )

What is the Islamic law about taking off one's shirt and beating the chest in mourning for Imam Hussein (a)?

questionSalamun alaikum, I have a few questions which I would like to ask as under: 1. There are people from different walks of life taking off their clothes (shirts) during mourning for Imam Hussein (a). I would like to know whether or not such an action is endorsed and approved of by the religion. Is it not derogatory? What part of the body can be exposed during mourning for Imam Hussein (a)? 2. What is the Islamic law about self-flagellation ...

( 2024-06-01 00:12:34 )

Is Fadak Sermon of Lady Fatima Zahra in Muhammad bin Jarir Tabari’s ‘Dalael al-Imamah’ authentic

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( 2024-05-31 08:12:11 )

Is the narration concerning the manners of standing, ruku and sujud during prayers authentic?

I had a question regarding the following hadith: ـ محمد بن یعقوب ، عن علی بن إبراهیم ، عن أبیه ، وعن محمد ابن إسماعیل ، عن الفضل بن شاذان ، وعن محمد بن یحیى ، عن أحمد بن محمد کلهم ، عن حماد بن عیسى ، عن حریز ، عن زرارة ، عن أبی جعفر ( علیه السلام ) قال : إذا قمت فی الصلاة فلا ...

( 2024-05-31 03:00:46 )

French-cut Beard

1 Question: Is French-cut beard permissible, according to Islamic Sharia? Answer: Based on obligatory precaution it is not permissible for a man to shave his beard. Similarly, it is not permissible for him to just leave the hair on his chin and shave the sides. This too is based on obligatory ...

( 2024-05-30 04:22:17 )

The first sign of the Imamate

Abu Baseer narrates that he asked Imam Ar-Ridha’ (as) about the sign of an Imam. The Imam (as) replied, “The first sign of the Imamate is that the incumbent is the first born of the Imam. He is superior in knowledge, in learning, to all his contemporaries. The Armor of the Prophet (S) to be in his possession and would exactly fit him. He would also possess the Standard used by the Prophet (S). Amir’ul-Mu’mineen ‘Ali (as) had said, ...

( 2024-05-30 03:20:33 )

Keeping alive the remembrance of the Imam (pbuh)

One of our important duties during the time of occultation is to remember our Imam (PBUH) more often in gatherings and in private, and to make gatherings for his remembrance:I heard Imam al-Sadiq (PBUH) saying, "Our Shia are compassionate among each other. When they hold a private meeting, they remember Allah. Verily, the remembrance of us is of the remembrance of Allah. When we are remembered, Allah has been remembered, and when our enemy is ...

( 2024-05-29 01:03:07 )

How old was Imam Ali (AS) on the day of Ghadir?

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( 2024-05-27 08:10:40 )

Main Ethical Questions In Islam

One of the definitions of the word “ethics” is the study and evaluation of human conduct. It is regarded as normative because it relates to certain basic ideals. Ethics can also be described as a field of study that focuses on the knowledge of good and evil, and the basis on which aspects of behavior should be evaluated. Ethics and Life Since the start of creation man has never ceased to contemplate the moral question of good and ...

( 2024-05-27 06:56:34 )

What is the relationship between the Imamate of Imam Ali (AS) and the Fadak ground?

The demand for taking back the Fadak on behalf of Hazrat Zahra (SA) was not merely asking and claiming a piece of land. As evidence and the traditions show that was a move was a political ...

( 2024-05-26 08:52:25 )