Muslims

Muslims (Arabic: مُسلِم‎) are people who follow or practice Islam, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion. Muslims consider the Quran, their holy book, to be the verbatim word of God as revealed to the Islamic prophet and messenger Muhammad, may peace be upon him and his family. Muslims also generally follow the teachings and practices of Muhammad (sunnah). Those who obtain these teachings primarily from his Companions (sahaba) are called Sunni, and those who take them from his family (ahl al-bayt) are called the Shi'a.

62065

Muslims . Worship

Is it permissible for us to use a plant if it is used by non Muslims as an object of worship?

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 1 week ago

We are allowed to use any plant in the proper way, no matter what non Muslims do as far as we do not support their wrong.

Wassalam.

60852

Muslims . Imam al-Mahdi . Oppression

Can you give any practical advice on how I can get to know and earn the Qurb and Ma'rifah of Imam-e-Zamana (a)? And how can I help the oppressed Muslims around the world while being a high school student in Pakistan?

The nearness to Imam Zaman (AS) can be achieved by :

1. Living with him all the time, in your heart,so you love him more than you love yourself and your family.

2. Remembering him in practice, that you do not say or act before being sure that he will be happy with your act.

3. Remembering him and saluting him and reciting his Ziyarat, and

continuous prayers for him in our Namaz and after Namaz and in all the situations.

4. Doing good deeds on his behalf like doing good to your parents, relatives and people especially the poor and needy, then gifting the reward to Imam Zaman ( AS),

5. Preparing yourself to be a humble servant of Imam Zaman (AS). This can be practiced now in serving any Momin or any good cause which is in the frame of the teachings of Imam Zaman (AS).

6. Reciting Du'a Al-A'hd every day in which we re confirm out allegiance to Imam Zaman (AS).

7. Reciting Ziyarat Aal Yaseen which has great benefits for us and it makes us more near to him.سلام على آل ياسين

السلام عليك يا داعي الله ورباني اياته

Wassalam.

59899

Muslims . Sects . Ummah . Qur'an . Sunni-Shi'a

I understand that the Qur'an does not make any mention of either Shia or Sunni and warns the Muslims against dividing into sects. If that is correct then how come the Islamic Ummah has got divided into these two broad sects?

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... Answered 1 month ago

There are narrations in both Sunni and Shi'i collections that say that this ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, with only one being saved, i.e. 'the jama'a'. This has been interpreted to mean 'the majority' by Sunni scholars, whereas Imam 'Ali (as) has said that 'the jama'a' are those who follow the truth, even if they are few. This means that, even among the Shi'a, not all will necessarily be among the jama'a. Imam al-Baqir (as) has said 'the fitna is inevitable'. The Qur'an talks about previous generations that attacked their prophets and became divided over their message. There are many reasons for divisions to occur, but one key reason seems to have been for the Arabs to overcome their tribal pride and accept Imam 'Ali (as) as the successor. The Jews and Christians also hid parts of their prophets' messages or changed them, because they thought that their worldly position was jeopardised by challenging aspects of these messages. People are often happy to accept the message as long as they can maintain their worldly status and comforts.

54661

Muslims . Racism

How are we to engage with fellow Muslims who have included racism and bigotry in their practice of Islam?

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 2 months ago

as salam alaikum

in the mentioned case, it is imperative to do "Amr bil-Ma'ruf wa Nahy 'anil-Munkar" to denounce their attitude and try to rectify their behaviour. However one needs to find the most appropriate way to do it without worsening the situation.

With prayers for your success.

58843

Muslims . Ethnic

How should ethnic differences be managed amongst Muslims?

It is from the signs of the greatness of Allah The Glorious that He
has created human beings from different ethnic groups (Surah al
Hujuraat : Verse 13 ) O People ! We created you from a male and female
and formed you into peoples and tribes that you may recognise each
other. He who has more piousness has indeed more honour with Allah
SWT.

The ethnic differences should not be a reason of any difference
between people if they understand that the ethnic diversity is in
favour of human lives. Muslims should respect the ethnic differences
and customs and habits of all ethnic groups exactly as they respect
their own customs and habits. The Muslim should not think that his
ethnic group is better than any other ethnic group and he should never
look down upon any person just because of his ethnic group.

The Muslim should tolerate ethnic customs which is not practiced in
his own culture or tribe or family giving others full right to
practice their own culture and habits as far as it does not contradict
with any Islamic teaching. In fact there is no scope of any difference
between people because of ethnic reasons. As ethnic differences are
created by Allah SWT for great wisdom all human beings from different
ethnic backgrounds are equal in from of Allah SWT and the best of the
is the more pious

Wassalaam.

58342

Christians . Muslims . Prophet Isma'il . Prophet Ishaq

Is it true that Christians are descendants of Isaac and Muslims of Ishmael?

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 months ago

Christians and Muslims come from many ethnic and racial backgrounds. The only person they are all descended from is Adam.

At some point in history, the idea became popular that Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, and Jews are descendants of Isaac. Obviously not all Arabs are really descendants of Ishmael and it seems questionable for all Jews too, so it shouldn't be interpreted as a literal fact. Anyway, most Muslims are not Arabs so this does not factor into questions of descent.

There are texts identifying the Prophet Muhammad as a descendant of Ishmael so this may be another way of associating Islam with Ishmael. Also Muslims tend to say that Ishmael was the son of Abraham whom God asked him to sacrifice (I sense another complicated question coming...) whereas Christians and Jews say it was Isaac. So, again, one can say there is a sort of figurative association or inclination towards each.

Of course, both Isaac and Ishmael are respected in the Islamic tradition and in the Qur'an.

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Muslims

When there is a choice of buying products made by Muslims and non-Muslims, is it obligatory to buy the products made by Muslims?

It is a moral responsibility to support and give benefit to your brother in Islam rather than to an outsider. This does not mean that it is not allowed to buy from non Muslims when there is similar product made by Muslim, but it is a matter of moral reasonability towards our Ummah.

Wassalam.

57969

Muslims . Martyrdom . Sunni-Shi'a . Imam Husayn

What are the most clear benefits that all Muslims, regardless of school of thought, enjoy till today on account of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS)?

The martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) gave the Muslim Ummah the biggest shock which saved the Ummah from collapse when the rulers (Yazeed and his gangsters) were totally away from the teachings of Islam. Muslim masses could not accept the crime of the killing of the grand son of the Prophet along with his family members including children and imprisonment of the family of the Prophet (SAWA). This greatest shock brought back the sense to the Ummah and was the reason behind hundreds of revolts against tyrant rulers during centuries of the history of Muslims. Imam Husain's martyrdom declared the tyrant rulers as deviants and made the Muslim masses careful when dealing with them.

The martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) became the guide to his noble value which calls Muslims to be real Muslims and join good and avoid evil. Thousands of scholars, writers, poets were inspired by Imam Husain's martyrdom.

Millions of Muslims all over the world and all over the generations, observe the martyrdom of Imam Husain every year and get spiritually charged to be better Muslims.

Imam Husain's martyrdom has inspired many non Muslims and made them realize the great teachings of justice for which Imam Husain (AS) has sacrificed.

The list of the benefits from Imam Husain' martyrdom will be very long and books can be written on it, but to cut it very short, we need to remember the Prophetic Hadeeth which stated: Husian is from me, and I am from Husain. How the grand father is from his grand son? In fact, he religion of Islam which was sent through the Prophe Muhammad (SAWA), was revived and made everlasting because of Imam Husain (AS).

Reviving Islam is the great benefit not only for all Muslims but for all mankind.

Wassalam.

57519

Duties . Muslims

How can we overcome a lack of attachment to Islamic duties, such as prayers, that has come about because we have observed unkind and abusive Muslims being very observant about those duties?

1. We have to avoid mixing between Islam being the religion from Allah
(SWT) to guide everyone to the right path, and the practices of some
the Muslims. If some Muslims misbehave that does not mean that their
misbehaviour is because of their practicing religion, and we can never
blame Islam for the misbehaviour and misconduct or corruption of any
Muslim. The followers of all the prophets have misbehaved but that
does not mean that the prophets and their teachings were wrong. Those
who misbehave do not represent religion but represent themselves and
their own short comings. If you come across Muslims who offer Salaat
but cheats or deceives when dealing with others, you should know that
they are not implementing the teachings of Islam which is to avoid every
evil act and make the person a pious human being. If we find a Hijabi
Muslim female misbehaving in any way we can never blame Hijab for her
misbehaviour.

2. The attachment to our Islamic duties comes as a result of our commitment to our
responsibility and need to be always in proper contact with our
creator Allah (SWT).

3. Worshipping Allah (SWT) is not a favor that we
do to Him but it is in fact a favor from Him upon us to allow us to
talk to Him and supplicate. Those who understand some of the reality
of the relationship between us and our creator feel the essential need
for it like the essential need which we have for breathing oxygen
without which our life will end i.e. the life of our body which
requires oxygen. Likewise the life of our heart, mind and soul
essentially requires worshipping Allah (SWT) in the way that He guided
us.

4. The key for more attachment to worship is thinking, pondering and
reflecting to understand the great benefit of the worship Allah (SWT)
and the essential need that we have for it .

The Hadith says : Worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him and as you
don’t see Him, be sure that He sees you.

5. It is good repeat Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah Rabbi Wa Atoobo
Elaih) because it wipes away the dirt from the heart. It is also
good to repeat Ya Ghafooro, Ya Wadoud and also Ya Arhamar Rahemeen 7
times after Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

6. Night prayer (Salaat al Layl or Namaz-e- Shab) has a great effect in
purifying the heart and enlightening it and it is the most important
recommended prayers in Islam

7. For more light in the heart it is very useful to repeat Salawat
(Allahumma Salli Alaa Muhammad Wa Aali Muhammad) at least 100
times daily.

Wassalaam.

57576

Ring . Stone . Muslims

Why is wearing a ring stone beneficial to Muslims?

There are a number of hadith in Sunni and Shi'i books, especially Shi'i books, on the merits of wearing rings, especially an 'aqiq (carnelian) ring on the right hand.

It is narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) from Paradise and said, "O Muhammad, wear an 'aqiq ring, and command your ummah to do the same."

It is also narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) and said, "Your Lord conveys his salaam," and then told the Prophet (S) to wear an 'aqiq ring and command his cousin [i.e. Imam 'Ali (A)] to do the same.

A narration says that this is because 'aqiq was the first stone to bear witness to Allah's lordship, the Prophet's prophethoold, and Imam 'Ali's successorship.

While many Muslims do wear religious rings, over time, it became particularly associated with the practice of the Shi'a and the Imams, and so one can say it became part of the tradition. Perhaps this is why wearing a ring is described in a narration as one of the signs of a believer.

The Prophet (S) also was said to have worn a signet ring, i.e. a ring with a seal which is used as a a stamp on wax to sign a letter, as was a common custom in the past. So, wearing a ring (albeit this kind of ring without a stone) can also be seen as a Prophetic practice from this angle.

Additionally, there are a number of narrations (correctly or incorrectly, God knows best) attributed to the Imams (A) describing the merits of wearing specific stones. For instance:

* 'Aqiq (carnelian): strengthening faith, protection, protection from poverty, dispelling melancholy
* Turquoise: protection from poverty, acceptance of du'a
* Hadid sini (hematite): overcoming fear
* Ruby, emerald, and sapphire: overcoming poverty
* Durr-e-najaf (a type of quartz) is also said to have many blessings and to have been made an affordable stone for the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (A).

Anyway, it is good to wear a ring with the intent of following the tradition of the Prophet (S) and Imams (A); or out of hope that it may offer these benefits, spiritual or material; or even if one simply likes it. (After all, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.) However, it is better not to get too caught up in these things and put faith in the material over the immaterial; that is, faith should first be in Allah, and physical things such as rings are only secondary factors. It is also fine if one prefers not to wear a ring.

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Muslims . Medina . Judaism . Makkah . Prophet Muhammad . Hypocrites

If the Jewish leaders of the time betrayed the Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims of Medina, weren't there also enemies of Islam present in Medina from among the Meccans?

The hypocrites were in many places including Madina. The hypocrites were from different tribes and places including Makkah and Madina. Hypocrites used to join hands with enemies of Islam including Jewish enemies and Mushriks of Quraish and others.

Wassalam.

55337

Muslims . Gender

Is joking and laughing, without lustful desires, allowed between Muslims of the opposite gender? Is there a difference in the ruling on this matter between the Maraji'?

Joking and laughing between Muslims of opposite gender is far from the Quranic teachings and the orders of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and his Holy Progeny Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Allah (SWT) orders in Quran The wives of the Prophet: ( Do not speak softly with men, because it might cause moving ill hearted men towards evil desire)(33:32).

Hadeeth says that when non Mahram man and woman are together, Shaitan will join them.

It might start with out lustful desire, but Shaitan usually tries to deviate the hearts.

There is difference between Maraaji; in this matter.

Wassalam.