Sunni-Shi'a

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

Shrimp (prawn) is Halal. It is not Makrouh. It is the only sea food which is Halal beside the fish with scales. Shrimp is Halal according to Shia and Sunni sects.

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

Dajjal ( The Deceiver) is one of the definite sign of the Reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (a) along with the Heavenly Cry, the riot of Sufyani, and the riot of Yamaani. There are narrations that Dajjal will be killed by Imam Al-Mahdi (AS).
According to a narration by Al-Shaykh al-Saduq from the Prophet (SAWA), mention of Dajjal has been in the past but his presence will be in future.
According to Hadiths, Dajjal appears at a time of hardship and starvation, deceives a group of people, and gathers them around himself.
Qutb al-Din al-Rawandi narrated a Hadith from the Prophet (SAWA) through Sunni sources saying, "No prophet was ever assigned to mission unless he alarmed his people about the mischief of Dajjal."

Wassalam.

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 2 years ago

Mecca, Medina, and Karbala are all considered holy sites in Shi'i narrations and tradition. 

It is not really useful to try to rank them. Mostly people ask this for sectarian reasons, i.e. to try to show whether or not Shi'is have the "correct" belief for a Muslim, or to judge whether individual Shi'is have the "correct" belief.

Each of these sites has its own role in the history of Islam and also has its own spiritual character. 

Furthermore, individual Shi'is vary in their personal views or personal perceptions of spiritual matters, such as their experience of a place. 

However, Mecca is central because it is the place for the required hajj, the direction of prayer, the homeland of the Prophet where he began his mission, and the sacred haram which is visited by the angels and sanctified in the Qur'an. It is also the birthplace of Imam 'Ali and is said to be the place where  Adam and Eve first came to earth.

Medina is also important as the site of the first Muslim community, the site of the final resting place of the Prophet, and the residence of some of the Imams.

According to Shi'i law, it is necessary (wajib) to perform pilgrimage to Mecca, and according to Shi'i narrations, one should also visit the Prophet's final resting place in Medina. It is considered highly recommended but not shari'ah-wajib to visit Karbala. So this gives some ranking.

It is also narrated from Imam al-Sadiq that every evening, seventy thousand angels descend, circle the Ka'bah, then go to visit the graves of Imam 'Ali and Imam Husayn, and then return to the heavens. So this also gives some idea of ranking.

Karbala is also emphasized in the Shi'i tradition, both for its spiritual merits, and also because the martyrdom of Imam Husayn is seen as central to the survival of Islam. 

There are a handful of narrations in which, on a creational or supra-worldly level, Karbala is treated as higher than Mecca. However, there are also narrations from the Shi'i Imams that say things like "Allah has preferred Mecca over all other cities" and "one prayer in the Prophet's Mosque [in Medina] is equal to a thousand prayers prayed elsewhere." 

So, from this, perhaps we can understand that the intent in these narrations is not to rank sacred sites, but just to indicate that certain places have a special sanctity.

Today, some Shi'is individually may say that, for them, visiting Karbala was a more spiritual experience than performing the hajj. This is likely due to the regrettable materialism that has overtaken Mecca (the clock tower, McDonald's, luxury hotels and meals for those who can afford it, etc), the demolition or alteration of sacred sites (such as the jamarat or Jannat al-Baqi'), mismanagement, the crowds, and the hostility towards Shi'is in today's Saudi, including from the minbar and by the religious police.

In any case, Shi'is worldwide are dedicated to performing the hajj, visiting Medina, and also visting Karbala. 
 

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Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 2 years ago

Both "yes" and "no". 

It is not prescribed in Qur'an or hadith.

Rather, it is a cultural or regional symbol. The hand as a protective symbol predates Islam and is not limited to Muslims, for instance, Jews also use the hand symbol, and some people call it the "Hand of Mary".

However some Shi'is have given it religious significance by using it to represent the ahl al-kisa'/panjtan (Muhammad, 'Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, and Husayn) and have used it to symbolise the intercession or protection of Hazrat Fatimah (A). In that way, it can symbolise her status and importance. 

Possibly, it acquired this symbolism related to Hazrat Fatimah (A) and the panjtan during the Fatimid (Isma'ili) dynasty in North Africa (c. 10th-12th centuries CE).

Since, from ancient times, the symbol was often worn to protect mothers during childbirth, or to protect young children from the evil eye, this may be one reason why it was associated with a female figure. Maybe associating it with Fatimah also reflects hope in her motherly care since she is also often seen an archetypal mother figure, similar to the Virgin Mary. 

However, some Shi'is also call it the Hand of  'Abbas due to what happened in Karbala and use it to represent similar things, such as honoring him, and seeking intercession and protection.

Some Sunnis also refer to it as the "Hand of Fatimah".

So, in short, the significance of it among Shi'is (or Muslims) is due to cultural practices that have developed over time to reflect religious ideals, in conjunction with the existing regional culture, rather than things that are prescribed in Qur'an or hadith.

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Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answer updated 2 years ago

"Meditation in the life of the Prophet (sawa) predated the divinely revealed instruction on canonical prayer. The Prophet (sawa) underwent long periods of spiritual retreats known as tahannuth on mount Hira. As we have seen given the fact that His daughter used a black knotted prayer rope used in the hesychast tradition indicates that he himself most probably engaged in body-breath-mind meditative practices BEFORE the command of performing Salah was given through divine revelation." (Dr. Francisco Luis).

The field of the transmission of practices from the Imamiyya to what later became Sufi groups and then orders is one of the most neglected in Islamic Studies, although it is slowly developing. Mohammad Ali Amir-Moezzi mentions possible links between the muraqaba techniques practiced by the Naqshbandiyya-Mujadidiyya and the Imamiyya (pps 50-51, The Divine Guide in Early Shi'ism) - although this does not involve breathing techniques, but rather connection through intention to subtle centres called 'lata'if'. It is interesting that the Naqshbandiyya arose in Khorasan where there were many Imamiyya. It is a general rule that with the democratisation of a religious/spiritual movement, there can be a watering down of its teachings. Similarly, we have almost no extant texts from the early period of Islam - and that can't be just because all of the texts were burned or destroyed; so the question remains with regard to the full extent of what has been lost, and why.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

You need to be sure about your future and never take risk on your faith.

If he claims to be a Shia, why does he pray on the way of others? How can you trust him claiming being a Shia when he is not practicing Shia Islam in the most important worship which is the daily prayers?

You should not hurry in accepting his proposal until you have enough evidence that his claim of being a Shia Muslim is authentic. 
Marriage between Muslims is allowed provided that there is no risk on your religious practice in the future.

Wassalam.

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 2 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Irrespective of what maddhab he may be, it is extremely important to recognise and affirm good qualities for your potential spouse, especially in being honest and truthful.

It is permissible for a Shi'i to marry a Sunni, as long as he/she is able to preserve their Shi'i identity and practice their Shi'i ways without pressure or backlash. 

If he is interested in the Shi'i madhhab, then that will be his choice, but he needs to make it clear to you as to why he is saying he is Shi'i, but, might be doing certain things the Sunni way.

Is it because he is in fear of his life, and therefore he needs to do taqiyah? Is it due to lack of understanding, and what slight differences there are between the Shi'i method of praying and the 4 Sunni methods? 

Or, is it him trying to please you and make your hear what you wish to hear only, which means he is not be honest to you? 

This is a conversation that needs to happen.   

With prayers for your success.  

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Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 2 years ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. The concept of Wahdat al-Wujud refers to how there is only one essentially real being which is God. There are many differing views on the specifics of this theory which need to be fully explained within their field of study. As a conception in theoretical mysticism the theory doesn't have a sectarian bias. There have been Sunni and Shii intellectuals who have found the theory useful, as well as Sunni and Shii intellectuals who have rejected it.

May you always be successful

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

Some of the martyrs were like that before Karbala like Zuhair ibn al Qayn who was previously a supporter of Othman ibn Affan, but after listening and following Imam Hussain (AS), he believed fully in Ameerul Mo'mineen and Imam Hasan and Imam Husain (AS), that is why he sacrificed his life in the way of Allah under the divine leadership of Imam Husain (AS).

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 2 years ago

There are many books of Elm al-Rijaal mentioning the good companions who remained faithful to the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS). Allama Sharafuddin of Lebanon mentioned names of 160 companions from them in his book : Jarallah questions answers, page 14 to 25.

Sayyed Hasan al-Sadr of Kadhimiyyah, author of Nihayat al-Dirayah, mentioned names of hundreds of faithful companions.

These books and most of Elm al-Rijaal books are in Arabic.

Most of the companions who passed away during the life of the Prophet (SAWA) or been martyred in the battles of that period are praised. Those who remained faithful after the Prophet are also praised.

Wassalam.

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Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answer updated 2 years ago

What you heard is not true at all. It might be claimed by a person who did not do enough research about this matter. This tragedy which is also known as the Calamity of Thursday as it happened on Thursday, is narrated in Sunni books like Saheeh al-Bukhari 1;37 and 4;31

Sahheh Muslim 5;75 and 5;76

Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal 2;45

al-Sunan al-Khubra by al-Bayhaqi 9;207

al-Tabaqaat al-Khubra by Ibn Sa'd 2;242.

Many Shia books have also narrated this incident when the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) wanted to write a statement for the Muslims so that they will never go astray after him, and refusal of some persons to let him do that. E.g.

Kitab Sulaim Ibn Qais, page 325.

Al-Irshab by al-Mufeed 1;148.

Awa'il al-Maqaalaat by al-Mureed; 406.

Amaali al-Mufeed 36.

Al-Ghaibah by al-No'mani 81.

Al-Manaqib by ibn shahr Aashoob 1;236.

al-Ehtijaj by al-Tabrasi 1;223.

al-Muraja'aat by Sharafuddin 526.

'Kitab al-Ta'ajjub by Abul Fat-h al-Karajoki 90.

Ibn Tawoos in three of his books; Sa'd al-So'ood 226, Kashif al-Hujjah 65 and al-Taraa'if 432.

Majma' al-Fawaa'id by al-Muhaqqiq al-Ardabeeli 3;217.

al-Rawashih al-Samaawiyyah by Mohamad Baqir Mir Damaad al-Estarabadi 211.

Biharul Anwaar by Allama al-Majlisi, V.16, page 135 who stated that this incident is well known in authentic Hadeeths and authentic history.

Wassalam .

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It is not allowed during obligatory Prayer (Salah) to add Rokoo' or  Sojood because it will invalidate the Salah. Reciting any of the four verses of obligatory Sajda is not allowed in obligatory Salah. If you do Sajda for reciting or listening to any of the four verses of obligatory Sajda, you Salah becomes invalid and you need to perform the Salah again. 
Wassalam.