FAQ
Islamic Cultural Propagation Office.
Our aim is to introduce Islam to all those who are interested and bring them to a higher level of understanding of Shi'a. We are Shi'a muslems and in this FAQ we have intended to give you an outlook of our views. It is almost impossible and incorrect to discuss all the aspects of Islam and Shi'a religion in an FAQ. What we have tried to compile is only an outline for those frequently asked questions and we have tried to give references as much as possible.
We receive a high number of questions via e-mail on a daily basis. To answer each one on an individual basis, is a time consuming process and in an inappropriate approach. In this FAQ we hope to give you some insight and references to Islam, so that you can come to a conclusion yourself, rather than having to verify each of your actions with us.
While we regret that we cannot answer individual questions and problems, we welcome questions and topics which maybe of general interest and use to other fellow muslems around the world.
How to become a Muslem
You should contact someone who is trusted and aware of Islamic issues, and then start to learn principles of Islam and the fundamental Islamic points of view and get to know the ways of prayers. You have to get religious and moral books and study and act according to them. I think you can easily have access to Qur'an through public libraries. If this is not possible for you, please e-mail us your exact postal address and we will send you an English copy of Qur'an.
Table Of Contents:
1. Shi'a vs Sunni in Islam.
a) General differences
Two) How to become a Shi'a
Three) About Shi'a religion
2. General Questions regarding Islam.
a) What is meant by Ismat? How can you prove Ismat from Qur'an and Hadith?
b) Shaking Hands in Islam (between members of opposite sex).
c) Is hiding your Islamic identity permitted?
d) Halal & Haram. Food.
What is halal food?
Are all types of gelatin halal or haram?
Fish covered with scales is halal.
e) Halal & Haram Other issues.
Playing with gambling instruments.
Is disobeying your parents haram?
Six) Gossip (Backbiting).
Seven) Mourning during Moharam for Hazrat Hossein (AS).
3. The essence of Life.
a) Why do most religions reject each other, while most of them are based on the same thing? And why does man need a religion?
4. Women in Islam.
a) The status of women in Islam? And the difference between man & women in Islam?
b) Do women have to obey the Islamic dress code?
c) Marriage between Sunni, Shi'a and Christians.
A Marriage between a Shi'a male and Sunni female
Marriage of Muslim men with Christian woman
d) Can a husband force you to have sex if he is ill?
e) Questions about ritual bath
5. Punishment in Islam
a) Punishment and Violence.
b) Punishment of children.
6. Marriage in Islam.
a) Purpose of marriage.
b) Second marriage.
7. Helping the poor, Khoms & Zakat.
a) Should I pay Khoms on borrowed money?
8. Praying and rituals in Islam & Shi'a.
a) Prays (Namaz) as done by Shi'a.
b) Mass Prayer (Namaz jama'at).
c) Mass Prayer, with a Sunni leader.
d) Namaz & Wozo in Shi'a Islam.
e) The necessity of Haj
9. Clothes in Islam.
a) Men.
b) Women.
10. Music in Islam.
11. Subjects of Interest:
a) Salman Rushdie.
b) How was Qur'an gathered and compiled?
c) Mehdi & Qiyamat "The Judgment day"
d) Sighting of the moon.
e) Mourning for Imam Hossein
Answers:
1. Shi'a vs Sonni in Islam.
There are thousands of books written about Imamate, some of them have more than hundred volumes. But, for the purpose of going ahead progressively, I would like to introduce several single volume books for the moment:
1. Asl-alshia and principles (osool-ha), by Allameh Mohammad Hossein Kashef-al-gheta.
2. Shi'a in Islam by Allameh Tabatabaie.
3. Bright Faces in Tathir by Ayatollah Fazel Lankarani (This book has been translated into Ordu).
4. Tashrih and Mohakemeh (Description and Judgment) in History of Mohammad’s Dynasty by Bahlool Behjat Afandi (An Allim from Sunnis).
5. Two precious Jewels (translation of Saqalain Hadith) by Ghavom el din Vishnoie Komareie
6. Principles of Faith in Islam by sayed Mojtaba Mossavi lari.
7. Nahjul - Hagh by Allameh Helli.
8. Ghayat-al Marram by Sayed Hashem Bohrani.
Some of these books can be purchased from us, please let us know in what languages they will be useful for you , and send us your exact mailing address.
One) General differences
· The basic difference between Shi'a and Sunni is that Shi'a believes after the demise of the Holy prophet (AS), Allah the exalted, has chosen through the prophet an innocent person who is Amir-ol-Momenin Ali (AS) and eleven descendants of him who are also mentioned in Sunni sources. But Sunnis believe that after the Holy prophet (SAW), people chose his successor as Caliph. We ask: is it not necessary that the successor of the prophet should be fully aware of Qur'an? Is it not necessary for him be innocent (Massom). Shi'a as the followers of Ali (AS) believe that the prophet has clearly appointed Ali (AS) as successor by telling “I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gateway.” Because he knew that Ali (AS) was more knowledgeable than any one else and he was innocent. Therefore, there is a difference between Sunni and Shi'a regarding Imammat (Leadership). Shi'a believe that a person who is innocent and pure and fully aware of Qur'an should be Imam at all times but the Sunnis are ready to obey an unaware governor. From this point of difference, some other religious orders and secondary points, including differences in prayer and Wozo and fasting have emerged. The reason for majority of Sunnis has roots in historical points and it has not resulted form righteousness. After the Holy prophet it happened that most of governments were formed by Sunnis and therefore they are the majority of Moslems to-date. For the same points you may refer to Al-ghadeer book by the late Alameh Amini or the English translation of Al-morajeat (Titled The Right Path) by Sharafedin.
· Celebrating such occasions as birthdays in Shi'a Islam is permissible if no forbidden action is committed. In Shi'a Jurisprudence there is a title for creating joy in the hearts of believers and those kind of celebrations may come under this title.
Two) How to become a Shi'a
· To obtain information please refer to Al-Ghadir authored by the late Ayatollah Amini. Other books can be also useful, for instance Al-Muraji`at (References), Kefayeh-ol Mowahedin (Sufficient for Unitarians), Haq-ul Yaqin (Reaching Absolute Certainty) by Shebr. For questions on religious law (fiqh) or general religious matters there are books by Shiite sources of emulation (Marja` Taqlid) known as "Solutions to Problems" (Towzih ol-Masa`il). There you can look up answers to some of your questions.
Three) About Shi'a religion
· In order to make the issue more clear, please note the description of this word (Shia):
· The word Shia means follower and helper and friend in dictionaries, As it is recorded by the learned men of letters: "Shiatol Rejal Awanaho and Ansarah" which means " Shia of a man consists of his friends and followers." Ragheb Isfahani (an Iranian scholar) has mentioned in his book (Mofradat): "Shia as a word means spreading and strengthening and Shias are those who cause a person to become powerful."
· The late Tabarsi in his famous book which is called "Majma-al Bayan" has mentioned following remarks regarding interpretation of Ayat 69 of Mariam Surah: "Shia refers to a group of people who help each other in a cause". These meaning are consistent because people help each other as the result of following each other and therefore a person may get powerful through such assistance and following.
· In the customary usage of Muslims, this word has been used to convey different concepts according to existing criteria as standards: 1 It has been used to describe people who love Hazrat Ali (AS) and his progeny because they are part of the Holy prophet's (ASW) Ahlul bait (Household) according to the Ayat "Ghol La Asallokom Aliah Ajran Ellal Moveddah fil Ghorbi" Therefore, they consider all Muslim, except than those who show enemity towards Ahul-bait of the Holy Prophet (Nasebis), as Shia and they praise in their supplications (Dua) for the Ahul-bait of the Holy Prophet (ASW). Imam Shafei has a poem in this regard which is a follows:
· "ya Ahul-bait Rasool Allah Hobokom Farz Men Allah FiAl Qur'an Anzalah Kafafakom Men Azim-al shaan Anakom Man lam yasel Alaydom La Salatah lah" (The poem means altogether: the Ahul-bait or the Prophet's (ASW) household should be loved according to the commandment of Allah in the Holy Qur'an and whoever does not praise them, his prayer is not in order."
· It used to refer to those who considered Hazrat Ali (AS) as superior to othoman or other khalifas (Calijs) but at the same time consider him as the fourth Calif. According to this view, Motazelah of Baghdad and a group of Ahul-Hadith are also called Shia.
· It is used to refer to those who follow Hazrat Ali (AS) and believe that he and his innocent sons are successors of the Holy prophet (ASW) and they are Imams (leaders) after him. The Holy Prophet (ASW) has appointed them as such in accordance with Allah's commandments and has mentioned their names and particulars and it is a fact which can be proved by reason because all Islamic sects recognize that Nabowat (prophethood) is terminated with the Holy Prophet of Islam (ASW) and no other prophet will be appointed by Allah, the Almighty. But, on the other hand this religion (Islam) will remain until the end of present universe and therefore it would not be possible to follow the Hekmat (wisdom) of Allah, the Almighty, without presence of the Innocent Imams who guide people after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (ASW) and interpret divine rules. The completeness of Islam and its universality and eternality require that the successors of the Holy Prophet (ASW) must be worthy of such positions and the latter's should have all divine particulars of the Holy Prophet ( ASW) except than his prophethood which is terminated. This fact was so serious in the eyes of the Holy Prophet (ASW) that he spoke to people about it, right from the beginning of his Resalat (Prophethood) until the end of his life. He determined the criteria and standards of his successors. He has also introduces Hazrat Ali as his successor in all cases. There are numerous and undeniable texts in narrative books of Shia and Sunni in this regard, some of which are as follows: Hadith Alanzar, Hadith Manzalet, Hadith Saghlain, Hadith safineh, Hadith Ghadir Khom and Hadith Isna Ashari Alaykhom Alsalam and so on.
· This fact is also evidenced by Ayats of Holy Qur'an regarding Velayat (Guardianship) and the Holy Prophet (ASW) successorship and various narratives regarding interpretation and analysis of Shane Nozool (the reason for revelation or descendance). It is clearly recorded in Shia and Sunni interpretations, for instance regarding an Ayat of "Surah Maedeh" which is" Alyon Akmalto Lakom Dinokom…" This Ayat was descended according to all interpreters in Hajjatol veda" (the last Hajj of the Holy Prophet (ASW)). Numerous narratives regarding the reason for its revelation (descendance) which are at hand show that it refer to Prophet (ASW) successorship.
· The Holy Prophet in return from last trip to Mecca (Hajjatol veda ) in a place called "Ghadire Khom" gathered all pilgrims (Hojaj) and spoke to them in length. In his sermons he introduced Hazrat Ali (AS) to people and said "Man konton Mollah Fahaza Ali Mollah" which means "whoever follows me should follow Ali Afterwards." In this way the Holy Prophet (ASW) revealed the divine commandment to people and ordered people to obey Ali (as) as the "Amiral Momenin" ( Leader of Believers) and later in the place, all those who were Present made "Bay'at" (swearing in an allegiance) with Hazrat Ali(AS). The second khalif congradulated him and said: "you are my Mulla (master) and Mulla of all men and women Muslims". In a narrative which is recorded by numerous great learned men of Sunnis, it is said that Abubakr and Omar stood up and asked the Holy Prophet (ASW) of Allah, the Almighty: Is this welayat (guardian ship) for Ali(AS) exclusively? And the Holy Prophet (ASW) answered: It is exclusive for Ali [AS] and my Osia (successors) until the Day of Judgement. They asked again: Who are you successors? And the Holy Prophet answered: "Ali Akhi va Vaziri va Varesi Va Vasiey va Khalifati Fi Omati Va Vliya Kolleh Momen Men Baadi, somma Abnial Hassan Somma Abnial Hossein, Somma Tesat Men Walade Abnial Hossein Wahedan badeh wahed, Alghoran Maahom, va hom Maahal Ghoran La yofareghonah, va La yofareghehem Hata yordo Ala Hooz." Which means: Ali [AS], is my brother, minister, inheritor administrator, and successor among people of my farth and master (walli) of any Muslim after me and after him, my son Hassan and after him, my son Hossein and after him, I persons from his descendants one by one will be my successor and Qur'an is with them and they are with Qur'an and Qur'an is not separated from them and they are not separated from Qur'an until they return to join me near the river in paradise." Some ulama of Sunnis who do not wish to accept this fact, It's the immediate guardianship (Welayat) and successorship of Hazrat Ali (AS), tend to interpret those words (Welayat and Wesayat) as referring to friendship and love, but it is very clear that friendship or love of Ahulbait of the Holy Prophet (ASW) is not limited to the era after his demise and it can be practiced in any time including the era which the Holy Prophet (ASW) was alive. In the above said narrative and other similar narratives the words." Men baadi" clearly refers to successorship and khelaphat (Caliphate).