Life

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I want to know the whole life of Imam Ali AS from birth to martyrdom so that I can follow him. Is there any full course or book that covers it?

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 1 month ago

There are thousands of books on Imam Ali (AS) in many languages and I doubt that you have time to read all of them, but you can read Nahjul Balagha (having some of his sayings and sermons and letters) which is available in many languages including English and try to follow the teachings of Imam Ali (AS). That will change your life to a real successful life.

More information can be found in books like Biharul Anwaar, Volume 31and Kitab al-Irshad by al-Mufeed and Imam Ali from Mahd Ila Al-Lahd by late Sayed Kadhim al-Qazwini and many other books.

Wassalam.

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Life . Ghayba (Occultation) . Life Expectancy . Imamah . Dunya

If there was no threat to the life of Imam al-Mahdi, and so there was no occultation, would he have lived a normal lifespan? If so, would there have been more than 12 Imams or would the world have ended early?

The fact of the Twelve Imams after the Prophet of Islam is an order from Allah (SWT). No one has right to say or suggest on any matter which has been decreed by Allah (SWT). Allah Knows every thing including all the future, so, there is no point in putting such questions from us. Allah Knows everything and He is The Absolute Wise, All Knowung, Most Merciful.

Wassalam.

125474

Life . Ahl al-Bayt

Can someone suggest books that cover life events of the Ahlul Bayt, similar to Qasasul Anbiya for the Prophets?

Biharul Anwar بحار الأنوار by Allama Majlisi is a very good book in this regard. Kitab Al-Irshad by Shaikh Al-Mufeed is available in English and online. There are many other books which can be found online as well.

Wassalam.

131217

Life . God (Allah) . Meaning

It is said that Allah tests those whom He loves. If I am living a life of ease and comfort does that mean Allah does not like me even if I fulfill the obligations and remember Him constantly?

No believer lives with out been tested. Allah says in Quran : Did people think that they will be left with out tests? (Sura 29: 2).

Even being in easy life is a test by itself whether we thank Allah and appreciate His bounties or not.

When you feel that you have no difficulties, you need to thank Allah and seek from Him to protect you from unexpected hardships.

Wassalam.

128346

Man . Poor . Life . Sexual . Marriage

If a man is too poor to get married does he have to go his whole life without having any sexual relations?

Marriage in Islam does not require big amount of money. In fact it is recommended to keep the amount of Mahr (Dowry) affordable and not big amount.

Marriage in Islam can be a permanent marriage for those who can afford it and can be a temporary as well. In any case, Muslim must keep himself away from any sinful act whether he is married or not married. Those who want to get married to protect themselves from falling in sinful acts, will be helped by Allah as we read in many Quranic verses and authentic Hadeeths.

Wassalam.

123368

Hell . Paradise . Life . Sin . Soul

I have heard that, over time, hell will be emptied and people will be introduced to paradise. In this case, why should we worry about sins in this life if in the end our souls will still enter paradise?

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 8 months ago

When there is a possibility and a certainty, it is better to plan for the certainty.

The certainty is that hell exists. The possibility is that people might leave it.

Better to be careful! :)

Hell . Paradise . Life . Sin . Soul

1. Enemies of Allah (SWT) will remain in hellfire forever as we read in Quran, Sura 41, Verse 28: That is the recommence of the enemies of Allah; the Fire, therein will be for them the eternal place, a recommence for that they used to deny Our signs.
2. Those sinners who believed in Allah but disobeyed Him and insisted on sins and did not seek forgiveness till death, will be punished for their sins for periods depending on their sins. It is not a matter of minutes of hours but it can be years , decades or even hundreds of years.

3. Can any human being tolerate being inside big fire for a minute? What if it is for years and years which can reach to centuries? Those who think that committing sinful acts are easy, should ask themselves how much can they tolerate hellfire? may Allah (SWT) protect us from it.

4. We beg to Allah, The Most Merciful , The Best Forgiver, to protect us from any sin and forgive our previous sins and save us from the punishment of Hellfire. Allah (SWT) says in Quran about the servants of Allah : They supplicate to Allah: Our Lord, Avert from us the torment of Jahannam (Hell), verily, it's torment is unbearable. Sura 25, Verse 65.

Wassalam.

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Life . Parents

As a 30 year old can I make my own life decisions without my parents' involvement because if I ask them they may not allow. Am I disobeying them by not telling them?

Your life is your life and you have the right to decide it, but you must always respect your parents and never do anything which makes them feel disrespected. Virgin girl needs in her marriage a permission from her father or paternal grand father. Man does need permission from any one in his marriage, but he must avoid neglecting or disrespecting his parents.

Wassalam.

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Oath . Life . Qur'an

Are we allowed to take a false oath by the Quran to save somebody’s life or honour?

Saving your life and/ or life of others is obligatory. If the only way to save life is taking false oath, then it might be permissible if there are no other Islamic reason against it.

Saving honour has many degrees which must be considered before replying this part of your question. We need to understand the real situation first, then reply can be researched according to Islamic rules.

Wassalam.

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Life . Spirituality

What is the best way to diagnose one's spiritual diseases? How can I know on which aspects of life I should work on more?

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 9 months ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. To diagnose spiritual traits a person needs to be aware of their actions, attitudes and states and then they need reflect on why they act or feel the way they do.

For this reflection it helps to understand some schemas of the soul and how personality development is viewed in Islam. When a person is aware of something that they would like to improve, the next stage is to seek methods that will facilitate that movement towards the desired outcome.

Sometimes simply being aware and controlling impulsive behaviour is enough to deal with some traits and at other times real life changes are the only way to get rid of persistent problems. The ones that need more work are the traits that are more deeply rooted. There are some fundamental changes a person can make to deal with a host of problems, but the development process is a life long journey, full of successes and failures, progression and regression, remembering and forgetting. At the same time, when meaningful change is achieved it results in coming closer to a truly Islamic personality.

May you always be successful

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Life . Muslims . Du'a (Supplication)

Why do we need to recite Dua when everything in life requires effort? For instance, non-Muslims put effort in their goals and finally achieve them by working hard. So in reality if we need to put effort anyway then what is the point of Dua?

Our wishes are always more than our abilities, that is why we need Allah to help us and protect us. We need always to supplicate and seek help from Allah to grant us our wishes and avoid us any harm. Efforts only can never fulfill our wishes nor protect us from unexpected harm and risk. Non Muslims do supplicate especially during hardships, and those who do not supplicate suffer serious problems. Millions of them run miserable life despite having worldly materials, but they feel lost because they have weak link with their Creator.

All the Prophets and Infallible Imams used to put maximum efforts in the best way, still they used to pray Du'a. Du'a is the soul of worshiping Allah as the Hadeeth states. Du'a is our practical evidence that we believe in Allah, who is The Absolute Able, and the we as His creatures need His help in every moment and every matter in our existence. When the faith is string, the Du'a is more and those who do not supplicate and don't seek from Allah are the arrogant persons who ignore and deny their human nature and claim to be needless to Allah. Allah says in Quran: Seek from Me, I will respond to you. Surely those who feel bigger than worshiping Me, will enter Hellfire with humiliation.(Sura 40, verse 60).

Wassalam.

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Parents . Life . Adolescence . Obedience

As a Muslim teenager, can I disobey my parents' decision about how I should lead my life when I turn 18? Do they have the right to control my life?

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 1 year ago

Bismihi ta'ala

I am sure you know that in Islam, becoming an "adult" is not defined by turning 18 or 21. We see maturity to be reaching the age of taklif, where we become religiously responsible and accountable.

As Muslims, we also know that obedience to parents has no age limit, and we show our utmost respect and reverence to our parents, as old as we get. The status of parents is above everything, and that is why you should not see it to be "control" in the negative sense.

Parents have authority over us, and in most, if not all cases, they want the best for us. As we grow, we must increase in our level of obedience to our parents, and cater for them as much as possible. We show this to ourselves, and to our children, so our children will learn from us. When we get old, we wont need to struggle, because we have shown our children the right Islamic way of how to treat elders.

You must not disobey your parents, and always try your best to comply to their requirements and keep them happy with your behaviour and what you do. Please read about what our religion says about parents and the abundant reward we get in this dunya and akhirah when we show our obedience to them.

Of course, we are talking about normal situations, but if one's parents are indeed evil, abusive and negatively controlling, then that would need to be dealt with in a wise way.

With prayers for your success.