Meaning

92119

Does the term Ma'soom mean sinless, not able to make a mistake, or both?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 1 week ago

In the book Aqaed al-Haqqa by Ayatullah Sayed Ali Sadr we find infallibility categorized into 3 levels:

1. Ismat ul Kubra which is reserved for the 14 Infallibles. They do not commit sins, mistakes or even tark al-awla (choosing the less preferred method). We as Shia however do not believe that any of the prophets, from their birth until their death, committed any sins at all whether big or small. We see that the honorable Shia scholar, Sheikh Mufid stated that the prophets and Imams never committed sins or even left the recommended actions (mustahab) and that they were perfect in every aspect of their lives.

Another point to bring is that the prophets are not infallible by force. Rather, they are infallible by utilizing their intellectual ability to not succumb to sin. They have the ability to sin, but they choose not to sin. They know the effects and evil disgusting nature of sin and are repulsed by it. An example would be, if we saw an old piece of food that was rotten would we eat that food? Of course not! It is repulsive to us because we see its rottenness. This is how the prophets see sin. They see the rottenness in disobeying God, whereas most of mankind is attracted to the sins because they have been made fair-seeming to them.

2. Ismat ul-Ithbaatiya which is for the general prophets where they do not commit sins, but it is possible for them to do tark al-awla (choosing the less preferred method).

3. Ismat ul- Thubutiya which is an acquired level of infallibility by abandoning sins and continuously doing their responsibilities to Allah and are obedient to Him. They are just individuals and are far away from deviation. We find this type of acquired infallibility in some of the progeny of the infallibles such as Zaynab, Abbas and Masuma (as) and others.

92655

Christians . Jews . Islam . Friendship . Meaning

I understand that there are Quran verses that tell us not to take Christians and Jews as allies or friends. What is the context of this command and does this mean that Islam is telling us not to be friends with other people who aren't Muslim?

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

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

Pleasae read the following answer to this question:

https://www.al-islam.org/ask/does-the-verse-5-51-of-the-quran-say-that-we-should-not-take-the-christians-or-the-jews-as-friends-what-is-its-explanation

May Allah grant you success

89665

Meaning . Imam al-Mahdi

One of Imam Mahdi's (ajtf) titles is the Qaim. Does it mean the one who will arise when no one will take his name?

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 1 month ago

Short answer: Yes and no.

Longer answer:

"Al-Qa'im" means "the one who rises up" [for instance, against injustice]. It is primarily used for the Mahdi, but it can also be used for all the Imams.

The literal meaning of the word "al-Qa'im" does not specifically relate to one's name being unused; it comes from the word meaning "to rise" or "to stand".

However, titles for the Mahdi (including al-Mahdi and al-Qa'im) have been used instead of his personal name (which is the same as that of the Prophet (S)) because there are narrations saying that you should not refer to the Mahdi by name. So, in that sense, the Qa'im will arise when people are not referring to him by name; rather, they are referring to him as the Mahdi or the Qa'im.

[For instance, see https://www.al-islam.org/kamaaluddin-wa-tamaamun-nima-vol-2-shaykh-saduq... ]

It is also mentioned in a couple narrations that the Mahdi is called "al-Qa'im" because his occultation will last for a very long time. Therefore, when he reappears, people will have forgotten him so much that it will be as if he is rising up as a new creation. [Similar to how, on the qiyamah or Resurrection, people will rise up anew after being dead.]

[For instance, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 30 - سمي القائم عليه السلام قائما لأنه يقوم بعد موته ذكره. - "he is called the Qa'im because he will arise after his remembrance has perished".]

This is similar to narrations which say that the Mahdi will reappear in a time when faith is at an all-time low. So, in this sense, he may not be commonly spoken about before his reappearance.

So, you can say that both:

(a) The Mahdi is called "al-Qa'im" because he will lead an uprising [this is explained, for instance, by Imam al-Sadiq], and
(b) The Mahdi is called "al-Qa'im" beacuse he will arise at a time when his name has been forgotten, and therefore will be rising up anew.

The first view (that he is called al-Qa'im because he will lead an uprising) is the more commonly understood meaning, but both views are supported by narrations, and one can say that he is called al-Qai'm for both reasons.

Hope that helps!

89666

Meaning . Raj'a . Imam al-Mahdi

Does the concept of Rajat mean that all the people who were born after Imam Hassan Askari (a) will get revived or only those people who have died just before Imam Mahdi's re-appearance?

Some narrations about the raj'ah specifically mention the return of people from ancient times. Of course, not all narrations about the raj'ah are correct, and maybe those are not correct, but, at least, from what we have, it seems that the raj'ah will include people from all times and not only the time after certain Imams.

However, according to narrations, not all people return in the raj'ah. Only those who have the highest level of faith and highest level of depravity will be brought back to life.

88795

Makruh . Meaning . Sin

Do we get sins for doing Makruh actions? If not, why should we avoid them? What exactly is the meaning and implication of Makruh actions?

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

Makruh actions will not cause one to have a sin, but it is possible that one could gain more reward by avoiding them. They are actions which are better to be avoided and disliked.

Furthermore although one will not get a sin for doing a makruh action, there could still be a negative impact for one spiritually. So by avoiding them it could build up one spiritually and strengthen their soul.

May Allah grant you success

78868

Meaning . Surat al-Baqara

In Surah al-Baqara 2:178 what does "the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman" mean? If a slave kills a free man, would the master of the slave be killed and vice versa?

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 months ago

Allah (SWT) has ordered us to take the meanings of Quran from the Prophet (SAWA) as he is responsible to explain to the people what was been revealed to guide them ( 16:44).

The Prophet himself has clearly stated that the purified persons meant in Quran 33:33 are Ahlul Bayt who are Ali, Fatimah, Hasan and Husain (AS). (Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth 4450, Tirmithi; Hadeeth 3129 and 3719).
'The Prophet (SAWA) did not allow any of his wives to join the purified who are Ahlul Bayt only. (Tirmithi: Hadeeth 3806)

Wassalam.

82556

Meaning . Islam . Faith (Iman)

What is the meaning of Eman as distinct from Islam?

Bismillah,

Asalamu Alaykom,

The following article will give you a good explanation of this:

https://www.al-islam.org/articles/differences-between-islam-and-iman-yasub-al-din-rastgar-juebari

May Allah grant you success

77189

Heaven . Earth . Meaning . Qur'an

What do the terms for heaven and earth specifically mean in the Qur'an? How should we understand the idea of seven heavens?

Heaven and earth means sky and earth. Seven heavens means seven skies and seven earths.

Seven heavens are the seven skies above us starting from the first heaven which we can see then other skies above it which are out of our sight.

Wassalam.

81614

Hadith al-Qudsi . God (Allah) . Meaning

Is there a Hadith Qudsi where Allah says that He is as His servant thinks He is? If so, what does it mean?

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

This narration is in the context of holding a good opinion of God, and that a believer should always place their hope in God no matter how bad their situation. That does not mean that they should not be aware of God's Justice, but that they should always have that ray of hope that causes them to repent. The better opinion of God a person has, the better it is for them.

May you always be successful

76459

Meaning

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?

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 5 months 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.