Meaning

76459

Is it true that the Imams (A.S) have said to abandon doubtful matters. If so, what does that actually mean and how can one do so?

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 days ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. When there is a possibility of danger, it is logical to have a level of precaution in order to maintain a safe distance from that danger. A person avoids walking along the ledge of a cliff or steep fall, tests the stability of an old bridge before walking on it, and stays away from war torn areas. So too when it comes to the bounds of God, it is only logical that when a person honestly doubts whether they are going to overstep those bounds that they take a level of precaution and don't walk on the ledge. So, for example, if a person thinks that if they attend a gathering of a certain group of friends, they will end up sinning, then it is better to avoid that gathering.

May you always be successful

76515

God (Allah) . Meaning . Qur'anic Verse . Divine Guidance

What does Allah (swt) mean in the verse where it says that "those who strive hard for Us, We will guide them in our ways"?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. The purport of the verse is that the result of struggle and strife in the way of Allah, be that military, against satan or against the lower self, is an increase in guidance on the pathways that lead to God.

May you always be successful

77048

Death . Paradise . Meaning

Does a death by accident for a person mean they will go to paradise?

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... Answered 3 weeks ago

as salam alaikum

according to the Qur'an faith in Allah and good deeds are the criterion to enter jannah, not merely dying by accident. If a person believe in the one and only Creator, do good deeds and abstain from bad deeds, paradise has been promised to him and he will enter jannah inshallah.

With prayers for your success.

75544

Intention . Meaning

When scholars say that the intention of doing a particular act should be Qurbatan Ilallah what does that actually mean?

Seyed Ali Shobayri, Seyed Ali Shobayri is of mixed Iranian and Scottish descent who found the path of the Ahlul Bayt (a) by his own research. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University through the... Answered 1 month ago

Bismaillah,

Asslamu Alaykom,

Qasd Al-Qurbah means that the act must be done with the intention of seeking closeness to Allah swt. For example, salah, hajj, sawm, wudu and ghusl etc. All these acts are not valid without the specific intention of doing them for the sake of Allah.

There are some other actions where you wouldn’t need this intention. For example, making something tahir (purified). It wouldn’t be necessary if someone was removing an impure substance to utter this intention.

May Allah grant you success

72461

God (Allah) . Meaning

I have read that Allah is independent of space and time, what does that mean exactly? Does it mean that Allah existed at the same time during the creation of Adam (as) as well as today? Or does it mean some other thing like he is not in time?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Time and space are factors of the material realm (or realms linked to material factors like the barzakh), and since God is above matter He is also above time and space.

May you always be successful

68986

Meaning . Soul . God (Allah)

What is the meaning of the concept that Allah does not burden a soul more than its capacity?

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 3 months ago

Allah (SWT)'s mercy on His creatures has no limits as He always showers His bounties on all the creatures whether they obey Him or not. His mercy is on every one and every thing. Out of His mercy, Allah (SWT) does not put burden on any one more than the capacity and the ability of that person. All the obligation in Islam are withing the limits of the ability and when a person is unable because of any reason, the obligation will be lifted from him as far and as long as he is unable to do it. For example: Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is one of most important obligatory deeds upon every Muslim, but if a person is ill and can not fast, fasting becomes not obligatory on him.

This rule applies on every situation according to the abbility of the person.

Wassalam.

61107

Meaning . Marja'

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 7 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

61224

Meaning . Nasibi

What is the meaning of the terms Nasibi and Nawasib?

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?

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?

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.