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 ...

( 2024-01-31 23:40:24 )

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

When 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 these ...

( 2024-01-31 21:28:30 )

Buying & Selling

1 Question: What is your ruling on buying and playing lottery tickets and other such games of chance? Answer: It is not permissible. 2 Question: What is your opinion on business and dealings with individuals or even companies, which are hostile to Islam and the Muslim nation? Can we buy their products if we know that they are supporting – either directly or indirectly – the oppression of Muslims? Answer: It is not ...

( 2024-01-30 21:12:57 )

What is the Islamic law regarding cleaning Turbah of Imam Hussein (a.s.) when it turns dark?

questionWhat is one supposed to do with the sand (of Karbala) that comes out from the Turbah while cleaning it? Are there any particular precautions to be observed while disposing it? And is it necessary to clean the Turbah if it gets very dark and shiny due to the oils released from one\'s forehead during prostration.Concise answerBased on the sayings of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), the soil of Karbala and the Turbah which is associated with the Chief of ...

( 2024-01-30 17:23:03 )

Would you please show us the verdict of Islam towards the situations of the growing numbers of women who are divorcees, widows and spinsters?

Would you please show us the verdict of Islam towards the situations of the growing numbers of women who are divorcees, widows and spinsters?Question: In our family there is a divorcee, and amongst our relatives there is a widow besides three spinsters. I see this state as irregular, though it is as a result of our society’s ignorance of Islam, which they construe as just praying, fasting, and some other traditional rituals. They have turned ...

( 2024-01-30 09:54:20 )

Considering verse 70 of Surah al-Isra, is mankind superior to all other beings or to only some of them?

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( 2024-01-30 00:53:00 )

Shaving the beard when it causes derision/the Grand Ayatollah Vahid’s answer

The Grand Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani answered a question about shaving the beard when it causes derision (contemptuous ridicule).

Question: Is it allowed to shave the beard when it causes derision?

The Grand Ayatollah Vahid: It is Wajeb precaution that the beard is not shaved unless it causes derision when the wise people cannot stand the derision and humiliation.

( 2024-01-29 21:14:56 )

What is the origin of difference and dispute in the family from Quranic perspective?

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( 2024-01-28 07:00:59 )

It is unlikely that Zachariah, the Prophet (AS), might have prayed to God to grant him a child who would inherit him. Hence, why did Lady Fatima Zahra (SA) demand inheritance relying on this verse?

( 2024-01-26 01:47:15 )

Why it is difficult to purify the corrupt soul?

Even after repenting, that pure inherent light and the spiritual purity do not remain with the repentant person. If a page of paper is blackened and it is decided to bring it back to its original shine, of course it cannot be done, or to repair a broken dish, it is difficult to bring it back to its original shape. There are a lot of differences between a friend who behaves with sincerity throughout the life with the one who betrays and ...

( 2024-01-25 12:07:34 )

Ghusl

1 Question: How is a Tartibi (sequential) ghusl done? Answer: In this method of ghusl, a person should first make a niyyat for Ghusl. Thereafter one should first wash one's head and neck, and thereafter the remaining parts of one's body. It is better that one washes the right part of the body first and then the left part. 2 Question: Is it necessary to clean the body from impurities before performing an obligatory ...

( 2024-01-25 06:58:46 )

Is this statement "Everyday is Ashura and every place is Karbala" a hadith? How reliable is its chain of narrators (sanad)?

I have been told by several individuals that this hadith is invalid or that it is not a hadith: "Every day is Ashura and every place is Karbala". I have also read on the internet that this is a hadith from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him). Please give me information about this and please tell me how correct or reliable this hadith is. Thank you.Concise answer We weren't able to find any hadithic proof showing that this sentence: "Every day is ...

( 2024-01-25 00:02:25 )

The Grand Ayatollah Shobairi’s answer about commemorating 7th of Safar as the martyrdom anniversary for Imam Hassan (AS)

The Grand Ayatollah Shobairi Zanjani emphasized the protection of the Shia tradition of 7th of Safar as the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hassan Mojtaba (AS). The Grand Ayatollah Shobairi: 7th of Safar as the day of mourning for the eldest son (of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatima Zahra (AS)), and the closure of the Bazaar (markets) which has been a tradition of Shias, is of religious traditions which must be protected; and there is no conflict with ...

( 2024-01-24 19:46:08 )

The Grand Ayatollah Makarem’s Fatwa about marriages for under 13 years of age

The Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi answered a question about marriages for under 13 years of age. Question: Is marriage for under 13 years of age Haram? The Grand Ayatollah Makarem: In the past parents were allowed to choose spouse even for minors, and usually there was no problem, but in our time it has been proved practically that these types of marriages are not beneficial to boys and girls, and are prone to misconduct; and considering that ...

( 2024-01-24 16:14:18 )

Do the Shī‘ah regard witr prayer as obligatory?

Do the Shī‘ah regard witr prayer as obligatory? Reply: Witr prayer is part of the supererogatory night prayers and it is one of the recommended [mustaḥabb] works which the Muslims who follow the Messenger of Allah (ṣ) perform, but the Shī‘ah jurists [fuqahā] who rely on the Book of Allah and the Prophet’s ...

( 2024-01-24 09:33:16 )

Why did Allah (swt) create the foreskin which is removed during circumcision?

If Allah (swt) didn't want men to leave the foreskin, then why did He create it in the first place (and have them remove it via circumcision)?Concise answer Because of its many benefits, circumcision has been made obligatory in some religions like Islam. Some of those benefits are: prevention of infants and babies from infection of the urinal tract, penile cancer prevention, prevention of aids, etc. As for why Allah (swt) created the foreskin ...

( 2024-01-21 19:45:13 )

Types of tawassul

Types of tawassul Tawassul can be divided into three types: 1. Tawassul by performing righteous deeds, as stated by Jalāl ad-Dīn as-Suyūṭī who expounds on the noble verse, ﴾ ٱلْوَسِيلَةَ إِلَيْهِ وَٱبْتَغُوا ﴿ “And seek the means of recourse to Him”: تعالى: قوله في قتادة عن .يرضيه بما العمل و بطاعته الله إلى تقربوا :قال ﴾ ...

( 2024-01-21 19:45:12 )

Are al-Bayan, al-Iftikhariya and Al-Tatanjiya sermons which are found in Mashariq al-Anwar of Shaykh Rajab Borsi, authentic?

Are al-Bayan, al-Iftikhariya and Al-Tatanjiya sermons which are found in Mashariq al-Anwar by Shaykh Rajab Borsi, authentic?Concise answerAl-Iftikhariya SermonIn his Mashariq al-Anwar,[1] Hafez Rajab Borsi has narrated from Asbagh bin Nabatah a relatively long sermon named Al-Iftikhar Sermon which the narrator has attributed to Imam Ali (A.S). In that sermon, Imam Ali (A.S) introduces himself with these words: "I am the brother of the Messenger ...

( 2024-01-19 22:02:49 )

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 drink’.”

: ‘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 drink’.”[1] الغداة صلّى إذا – وسلّم [وآله] عليه الله صلى – الله رسول كان” غمس إلاّ بإناء يؤتى فما الماء فيها بآنيتهم ...

( 2024-01-19 03:47:19 )

What would Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) bring with himself at the time of his Reappearance? In other words, what would be the consequences of his Reappearance?

What would Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) bring with himself at the time of his Reappearance? In other words, what would be the consequences of his Reappearance?Reply:Whatever has come down in the Qur'an and the Islamic traditions about Hazrat's souvenirs is divided into two sections. Considering that the infrastructure of beliefs and deeds are effective in rectification of a society, Hazrat Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) too would rely on the infrastructures and ...

( 2024-01-18 23:39:56 )