Questions Archive
-
Please explain what religious pluralism is and the difference between it and the interpretations of religion.
7854 2011/08/15 Modern1. Pluralism is multiplicity. It has different meanings in the philosophy of religion, ethics, law, political science, etc. The common factor that is true for all of these is to acknowledge multiplici
-
Why is the blood money of a woman half of that of a man?
8604 2011/08/15 Laws and JurisprudenceAccording to jurisprudential and historical studies, blood money is an economical matter. It has been legislated in order to compensate for the loss incurred by the injured. From another point of view
-
Why is the inheritance of women half that of men?
7711 2011/08/15 Laws and JurisprudenceThe fact that a woman’s inheritance is half that of a man’s has enticed many to delve into the rationale behind this rule. In the answers that have reached us from the leaders of religion, the followi
-
Do animals possess souls and if so how does the animal soul differ from the human soul?
9561 2011/08/15 Islamic PhilosophyBefore embarking on the answer to this question, it must be noted that the answer provided below is based on the school of Transcendent Theosophy, i.e., Sadrian philosophy. In this light, the answer w
-
Explain the infallibility of the prophets. Why is it that some verses of the Qur`an contradict their infallibility?
11796 2011/08/15 TraditionalThe answer to these questions can be summarized in the following points: 1. Infallibility is a state of the soul that makes an infallible person shun sins or any unpalatable acts and protects him from
-
What is the relationship between man’s efforts and the sustenance that has been measured out for him?
12558 2011/08/15 TraditionalThere are two kinds of sustenance. There is a sustenance that we go after and a sustenance that comes after us. In the traditions, the sustenance that comes after us is called “the sustenance that see
-
The Qur`an mentions the fact that there is no fear or sadness for the friends of Allah (Surat Yunus (10), Verse 62). If this is the case, then why do we read the following prayer in the Du’a of Friday (addressing Imam al-Zaman (ع)): “Peace be upon you O Pure one who is afraid!”
9662 2011/08/15 PracticalFear is of two types: praiseworthy and blameworthy. Blameworthy fear, like fearing for ones’ life or fearing people and creatures is meaningless for the friends of Allah ( awj ) . This is why Imam Ja
-
If Allah (awj) is omniscient, why does He need to test mankind?
9522 2011/08/15 TraditionalAs implied by the question, because Allah ( awj ) is omniscient, the purpose of His tests is not to unveil something hitherto unknown. Rather, the Qur`an and ahadith suggest that these tests serve tw
-
Isn’t there a discrepancy between Islam’s view of the human being as a creature endowed with free choice and assertation of the Qur`an that Allah (awj) shuts the hearts, ears and eyes of some to the truth?
7563 2011/08/15 TraditionalIn many verses there is mention of the unbelievers’ and hypocrites’ hearts, eyes, and ears being sealed and of the sinful and perverse being misled. Khatm and tab’ [ both meaning “seal” ] denote endin
-
On the one hand, in the sciences of education and psychology a great deal of emphasis is placed on self-confidence, but in Islamic teachings, ethics, and gnosticism (‘irfan) on the other hand, it is stressed that one must trust only in Allah (awj) and not in oneself. Is their a contradiction between the two perspectives?
7568 2011/08/15 PracticalTo apprehend whether there is a conflict or not, one must first have a clear definition of the two terms. There are two ways of understanding self-confidence:1. Comprehending ones’ abilities, potentia
-
Is it possible for humankind to know Allah (awj)? If yes, to what degree and what is the value of such knowledge?
10732 2011/08/15 TraditionalThe human being can attain knowledge of Allah ( awj ) through various ways. This knowledge can come about through the medium of the intellect or of the heart. At times he—as in the case of the sage a
-
What is the relationship between Divine will and human will?
7507 2011/08/15 TraditionalThe human being is a contingent existent who derives his existence and existential qualities from Allah ( awj ) . Allah ( awj ) has, by His generative will ( irada takwini ) , created him as a voliti
-
Is it not polytheistic to ask for one’s needs from anyone other than Allah (awj) such as the Prophet (ص) or the infallible Imams (ع) since it is Allah (awj) who is the Fulfiller of Needs?
8246 2011/08/15 TraditionalIf one reveres, refers or takes recourse to, or seeks one’s needs from these personages with the intention that are separate from Allah ( awj ) and independent of Him in fulfilling our needs, such an
-
What is nearness to Allah (awj)? How many different kinds of nearness are there? How can we gain nearness to Allah (awj)?
8908 2011/08/15 PracticalIn lexicographical terms, “qurb” means the nearness of one thing to another. This can be in space or time. Of course in commonplace usage, “qurb” also applies to being the centre of attention and to
-
If a person falls ill, should he seek treatment a) with a doctor, or b) by eating dust from near Imam al-Husayn’s grave, or c) through supplication?
7682 2011/08/15 ModernEach of the aforementioned actions could potentially cure his illness independently or by combining with the other two. However, the best course is to accompany all our actions—among which are medical
-
What is the “sharaban tahuran” mentioned in the Qur`an (sometimes translated as “pure wine”)?
53092 2011/08/15 Traditional“Sharab” means something which can be drunk and “tahur” means that which is in itself pure and uncontaminated and also makes other things pure. We can gather from various verses that in heaven there a
-
Did religion come to imprison us or to set us free?
8320 2011/08/15 ModernFreedom, from the point of view of religion, can be studied under two headings: spiritual freedom and socio-political freedom. From the spiritual perspective, man’s essence or immaterial self is free
-
Should the remembrance of Allah (awj) evoke fear or love?
9110 2011/08/15 PracticalThe co-existence of fear and hope, and in some cases love, in respect to Allah ( awj ) , should not be a source of confusion as this phenomenon permeates all relationships of love to varying degrees.
-
What is the meaning of Allah’s (awj) misguidance in the Qur`an?
9748 2011/08/15 ExegesisMisguidance is a non-existent entity. Since guidance means to lead someone to a goal, then misguidance is the absence of guidance. In the parlance of the logicians, the relation between guidance and m
-
There are some pills that help knee stability. These pills contain ingredients extracted from snails, shrimps, crabs or lobsters. Can a doctor prescribe such medicines? If yes, would eating these pills (if they are allowed) affect one's spiritual progress?
8012 2011/08/13 Laws and JurisprudenceOffice of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei ( may Allah grant him long life ) :Generally speaking, snails, shellfish and crabs are haram ( forbidden ) to eat but shrimps and prawns are permissible, if they hav
-
Considering the verse of the Qur`an in Surah 32, verse 13 which reads, “Had We wished We would have given every soul its guidance,” - can it not be concluded that Allah (awj) has not desired the guidance of all humanity? If Allah (awj) had desired the guidance of all humanity He would have willed such, but obviously He has not. Why?
7813 2011/08/10 TraditionalAllah ( awj ) has willed the guidance of all His creatures. For, after taking all the [ relevant ] Qur`anic verses into consideration, the following points can be deduced:1. Divine guidance is divided
-
What are the signs for the reemergence of the Master of the Age [i.e. the Twelfth Imam]?
9300 2011/08/10 ModernThe topic of the signs of the re-emergence is a complicated one and calls for a thorough investigation of all the related narrations. However, in brief, the signs fall under two categories. One group
-
We know of many people around the world who are not Muslims or Shi`a but are nevertheless individuals of good conduct; for example, non-Muslims are responsible for many inventions. Is it right that they all deserve to be punished in Hell because they are not Muslims?
11127 2011/08/10 ModernThose who do not believe in Islam can be classified into two groups:1. Those who are termed ‘Jahil-e-Muqassir’ ( lit. ‘culpable ignorant’ ) . These are non-believers to whom the message of Islam has r
-
Is religion compatible with politics?
8040 2011/08/10 ModernA religion that has come in order to explain the path to felicity from now until the end of time cannot remain indifferent to a matter that all societies need, that is, government. In other words, th
-
How should one resist the temptation to commit sins?
9528 2011/08/10 PracticalThe temptation to commit a sin is a disease like the sin itself. Like all other diseases, protection against this sin involves two stages e.g. prevention and cure. When it comes to the prevention stag
-
How is possible to ward off bad thoughts and improve my relationship with God?
10367 2011/08/10 PracticalThe relationship is always mutual. Our relationship with God is sometimes severed and cut off or tend to become weak; but He is always and everywhere with us. God, the Exalted say, And He is with you
-
How should one, who has masturbated, repent? What are the ways through which one can make up for the physical and spiritual harms of masturbation?
53190 2011/08/10 Laws and JurisprudenceSins are like an ill-smelling putrid bog. The deeper a person goes into it the less he feels its disgusting smell because his smelling taste ceases to function properly. However, a person s firm decis
-
What is the Islamic law about taking off one's shirt and beating the chest in mourning for Imam Hussein (a)?
8706 2011/08/06 Laws and JurisprudenceWhat has been mentioned in the fatwa of most of the grand jurists about taking off one s shirts and beating the chest indicate that it is permissible to take off one s shirts, if it is not in front of
-
What are the ways through which one may get rid of lusts?
8047 2011/08/04 PracticalSins are like an ill-smelling putrid bog. The deeper a person gets into it the less he feels its disgusting smell because his smelling taste ceases to function. However, a person s firm decision to di
-
Why did the Holy Prophet (s) and Imam Ali (a) not throw down and break the idols to pieces before the conquest of Mecca? Was it because they did not want to hurt those who worshipped the idols?
10209 2011/08/04 تاريخ بزرگانThe destruction of idols by the Holy Prophet ( pbuh his family ) and Imam Ali ( a ) happened at the last stages of the propagation of Islam and conveyance of its message; this act of the Prophet ( s )
-
Is it obligatory for Muslims to promulgate Islam (i.e. teach or convert non-Muslims)?
8378 2011/08/02 PracticalThis question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer.
-
Can we call Hazrat Ali (a.s) as Raziq (sustainer) since he was the one who distributed food among the needy? Is it permissible to call the 14 Infallibles as 'rabb' because they are those who look after us?
9365 2011/07/31 TraditionalIt depends on what a person means when he uses terms such as raziq , rab and the likes which are the attributes of God, the Exalted. Hence, the intention and motive are very important. It can be said
-
What will happen to the Islamic governments in the wake of the reappearance of the Imam of Time (atf)?
6705 2011/07/31 TraditionalFollowing the reappearance of the Imam of Time ( atf ) and establishment of a single global government by him, if there are presumably any governments that work towards the realization of the goals of
-
What are the effects of casting lustful look at immodest women and girls and how is one's life affected by it?
9801 2011/07/28 PracticalGenerally speaking, your detesting and despising of the girls wearing immodest dress are very good and praiseworthy. Every mature and sane individual is answerable to his own deeds because he has been
-
Is it permissible to satisfy one's sexual desires through any way other than marriage?
50289 2011/07/28 Laws and JurisprudenceThis question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer.
