Meaning

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What is the meaning and definition of the term Marja?

Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla, Zakira Shyrose Jaffer Dhalla is a graduate of York University in Canada from where she obtained a BA in Psychology and Sociology and a Masters in the field of Education. She lectures on Islam at... Answered 3 months ago

The term, "Marja" refers to a highly skilled and experienced scholar of Islam who has reached a superior level of ijtihad (the ability to derive the laws of the shari‘ah through a deep analysis of its sources) and alamiyyah (achieving a high level of scholarship in relation to all other mujtahīdīn).

To understand the concept in the most simplest way, consulting a Marja is akin to consulting a very high-level medical specialist whose expertise is beyond that of our family doctor’s knowledge.

Thus, the marja may be seen as a very high-levelled and skilled specialist in Islamic law, jurisprudence, ethics and philosophy who helps individuals to not only deal with often unique, unprecedented and often unusual religious issues, but also helps to guide the Islamic ummah by delivering verdicts based on contemporary societal issues which may come up in the life of believers.

A thorough and comprehensive analysis of the concept of Marjaiyyah (including a discussion of the various quranic ayah and ahadith that have provided a basis for the development of this notion) has been recently published by the World Federation in addition to a 4 part series of video lectures on the topic of Marjaiyyah.

Booklet:
https://www.world-federation.org/sites/default/files/Marjaiyyah%20-%20FI...

4 part video series:
https://www.world-federation.org/news/steps-series-two%20

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Meaning . Nasibi

What is the meaning of the terms Nasibi and Nawasib?

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 4 months ago

Nasibi is the person who hates or opposes or acts or speaks against Ahlul Bayt (AS). Nawaasib is the plural of Nasibi.

Wassalam.

61216

Meaning . Word . God (Allah)

What is the meaning of the word Ta'ala when we say Allah Ta'ala?

The meaning of Ta'ala is from the highness علا يعلو علوا which means that Allah is higher than being described. Whatever humans think about Allah, or try to describe Him, He is Higher than that.
Wassalam.

60603

Arabic . Qur'anic Verse . Meaning

Why has "Fi" been used instead of "Li" in "Mawaddata Fil Qurba" in the Qur'anic verse (42:23) of Mawaddah while "Fi" means "in" and "Li" means "for" in Arabic?

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 4 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. According to Zamakhshari in his commentary al-Kashshaf, using the pronoun fi gives the meaning of the Family of the Prophet (saw) being the place of established love, whereas the pronoun li only would explain who the love was for. Fi therefore gives a greater meaning.

May you always be successful

60610

Meaning . God (Allah) . Optimism

What does it mean when scholars say that one should always be optimistic about Allah (SWT)?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. God is all-Merciful, Wise, Just, Kind and Powerful. There is nothing outside of His ability and nothing can resist Him. If a person tries to reflect on His Attributes they will put their hope in Him and be optimistic in Him. There is a hadith from Imam al-Hasan (as) where he speaks about a believer always being in the best situation (for himself). Whether that is a situation of difficulty or ease, the believer puts his hope in God and through God-centricity uses every situation as an opportunity to get closer to Him. At the same time, humans still need to work according to wisdom, the system of cause and effect and to live religion such that they can put their trust in that relationship they have with God. The more they are doing their part the greater their hope in God. God is most Merciful so there is no stage where one should not be optimistic about Him, and when a pessimistic attitude is taken or indeed a neutral view of God, that is the beginning of mistakes.

May you always be successful.

54676

Meaning

What is the meaning of الرياضة?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answer updated 5 months ago

as salam alaikum

"al-Riyadah" (asceticism) is the exercise of the soul for accepting the truth. The term is not found in the Qur'an but the concept may be deduced from few verses: "He who brings the truth and testifies wholeheartedly to it: these it is who become secure against evil" (39:33).

Allah also says: "And those who give whatever they can afford to give while their heart tremble" (23:60).

The 'ulama have explained that "al-Riyadah" includes (although not limited to that):

1) Rectifying your ethical behavior with knowledge. This consists of not acting unless your actions have been confirmed by knowledge.

2) Purify your actions with ikhlas. This consists of not acting for your own apparent benefits or moved by people's sake but for Allah's sake only.

3) Fulfill your duty while dealing with Allah. This consists of obeying all the commands of Allah very meticulously so that He will be pleased with you.

With prayers for your success.

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Qur'anic Verse . Meaning . Kitab

What does the word Kitab refer to when used in the Quran in verses 3:48 and 10:37?

Kitab in Arabic language means book, but in these verses in Quran it means the Divine knowledge revealed from Allah ( SWT).
Wassalam.

58339

Meaning

Can you please define the term "Bismihi ta'ala"?

Bismihi means : I start or Starting with His Name ( Allah’s name)

Ta’ala: means: The Most High and Glorious.

It is like Bismillah Arrahmaan Arraheem but in a brief words.

Wassalam.

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Meaning

What is the meaning of the term 'Aba Abdillah'?

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 6 months ago

It means "the father of Abdullah". Arabs traditionally addressed men by the name of their firstborn son rather than by their first names. This was considered a respectful way to address someone. (This is also common today.) So when Imam Husain is referred to as "Aba Abdillah" it is a conventional usage of his time. Other men who had a son called Abdullah are also called "Aba Abdillah", and it is not something specific to or limited to Imam Husain. (Occasionally, some people think this and are shocked to hear "Aba Abdillah" used for anyone else.)

("Abdillah" instead of "Abdullah" is used due to the grammatical construction used when addressing someone, since Arabic words are adjusted slightly when they are used in different ways grammatically)

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Ziyarat . Meaning

Could you please define what the term Ziyarat means?

It is an Arabic word for "visiting". In religious terms, it is used for visiting the final resting place of a sacred personality such as one of the prophets or twelve Imams. It can also be used to refer to ritual texts recited at these places to send greetings and blessings upon them, or which are recited at certain times of the year from afar for the same reason.

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Ahl al-Bayt . Meaning . Salawat

Considering Imam Ali as head of the Ahlul Bayt is part of our belief but not explicitly in the Durood. Does this mean he was part of the Aal Muhammad (s)?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. In the durood (the salawat) Aal Muhammad includes Imam Ali (as) as well as Bibi Fatimah (as) and the other Imams (as).

May you always be successful.

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Meaning

What does "A'ootho Billah Minashaytan Arrajeem" mean?

It means : I seek refuge of Allah from the evil of the cursed Satan.

Wassalam