Ahl al-Bayt

Ahl al-Bayt (أهل البيت‎, Persian: اهلِ بیت‎), also Āl al-Bayt or Ahlul Bayt, is a phrase meaning, literally, "People of the House" or "Family of the House". Within the Islamic tradition, the term refers to the family of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.In Shia Islam the Ahl al-Bayt are central to Islam and interpreters of the Quran and Sunnah. Shias believe they are successors of Muhammad and consist of Muhammad, Fatimah, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn (known collectively as the Ahl al-Kisa, "people of the mantle") and the rest of the Imams from The Fourteen Infallibles.

124903

Scholars . Knowledge . Ahl al-Bayt

Can you recommend me some books authored by prominent Shia scholars to improve my knowledge and understanding of the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (as)?

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 3 weeks ago

There are hundreds of useful books in many websites e.g. Kitab Al-Irshad by Al-Shaikh Al-Mufeed, The Right Path by Sharafuddin, Then I was Guided by Dr Tijani, Peshawar Nights by Sultan Al-Wa'izeen, and many others.

These websites www.Al-Islam.org

www.shiasearch.og

www.Rafed.net

www.aqaed.com

have also many useful books.

Wassalam.

97182

Cousin . Islam . Ahl al-Bayt . Marriage

Are cousin marriages encouraged or discouraged in Islam? Are there any examples of cousin marriages from among the Ahlulbait (AS)?

We have narrations encouraging marrying from other families and not very near relatives especially when is an inherited illness in the family.

Cousin marriages took place among Ahlul Bayt (AS) like the marriage of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatima (AS) , marriage of Imam Zainul Abideen (AS) and Fatima daughter of Imam Hasan (AS) and many other examples.

Wassalam.

114731

Prophets . Ahl al-Bayt

I have heard some say that the Imams and Prophets were not born biologically like normal people and that they just appeared from nowhere. Is it true?

Not true. There is no evidence whatsoever to support such claim.

Prophets and Infallible Imams were born biologically like human beings but their status with Allah (SWT) is great and they are the most pure among all human beings. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and his holy Progeny are mentioned in Quran (33:33) as The Most Purified. We believe that they are human beings and not angles, but their status is higher than all the great angles, and Allah only knows their status as our intellectual limits are less than containing their great status. The Prophetic Hadeeth says: O Ali, No one knows Allah fully but myself and you, and no one knows me fully but only Allah and you, and no one knows you fully but Allah and myself. ( Manaqib Aal Abi Talib and Mukhtasar Basaa'r al-Darajaat and Madinatul Ma'aajiz and other books).

Wassalam.

86594

Sahaba (Companions) . Ahl al-Bayt . Sunni-Shi'a

Is there any book which lists the names of the companions of the Prophet (s) who were faithful towards the Ahle Bait (as)?

There are many books of Elm al-Rijaal mentioning the good companions who remained faithful to the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS). Allama Sharafuddin of Lebanon mentioned names of 160 companions from them in his book : Jarallah questions answers, page 14 to 25.

Sayyed Hasan al-Sadr of Kadhimiyyah, author of Nihayat al-Dirayah, mentioned names of hundreds of faithful companions.

These books and most of Elm al-Rijaal books are in Arabic.

Most of the companions who passed away during the life of the Prophet (SAWA) or been martyred in the battles of that period are praised. Those who remained faithful after the Prophet are also praised.

Wassalam.

113600

Imamah . Ahl al-Bayt

How did the Imams (a) appoint their successors?

Allah (SWT) appointed all the prophets and all their successors. Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) informed about the names of his twelve successors (AS). Jaabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansaari, the pious companion of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was among those who were been informed about the names of the twelve Imams after the Prophet (SAWA).

Infallible Imam informs some of his most trusted followers about the Imam after him, and that also depends on the situation. Appointment is from Allah (SWT) and informing is from the Imam (AS) about his successor.

Wassalam

112425

Woman . Ring . Qur'an . Ahl al-Bayt . Menstruation

Is it permissible for a menstruating woman to wear a ring or amulet with Quranic verses or names of Ahlulbayt written on it? And is it permissible to recite more than seven Quranic verses from memory during this time?

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 8 months ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, it is permissible to keep on wearing an amulet, talisman, stone, etc. If the verses, Divine Names, or names of Ma'sumeen (a.s.) appear on the outside, then you should avoid touching it. Or, you are able to laminate it, or cover it with clear coloured nail polish, to avoid accidentally touching it.

Yes, you can also read more than seven verses. the only verses you must not read are the verses that have a wajib sajdah.

These verses are in Surah Fussilat, Najm, Sajdah and 'Alaq.

And Allah knows best.

109877

Qur'anic Verse . Sunni-Shi'a . Surat al-Shura . Ahl al-Bayt

In verse 23 of Surah Al-Shura is the correct translation 'near of kin'? If so, how can I as a Shia prove that it refers specifically to the Prophet's (s) progeny?

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) was asked when he recited this verse on the Muslims: Is it ordering us to do good to our kin or your kin? He replied: My kin; Ali, Fatima, and their sons. (Al-Haakim al-Hasakaani in Shawaahid al-Tanzeel , V. 2, P. 189) and Tafseer al-Qurtubi, V.3, P. 2.) . These are among Sunni references and among Shia references you can refer to Al-Kaafi 1:413.

We take the meanings of Quran from the Prophet (SAWA) as we were been ordered by Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.

109461

Ahl al-Bayt . Qur'anic Verse . Surat al-Ahzab

What is meant, according to the Ahlul Bayt, by the trust offered to the heavens and the earth as well as the mountains as mentioned in Surah Ahzaab, verse 72?

The meaning of this verse is not accurately translated by by many of non Arabic translators. Amaanah in Arabic is not always Trust but it has other meanings as well including The Responsibility, The obligatory, The Liability etc.

The meaning of Amaanah in this verse has been mentioned in many Hadeeths from Ahlul Bayt (AS) as The responsibility to follow the orders of Allah and His Messenger and his successors 'Ahlul Bayt' which is result of having perfect 'Aql (intellect) which is only with the human beings. That is why the heavens and the earth and the mountains could not carry it because they are unable to carry it and they were apprehensive of it. They did not refuse it in a sinful refusal like the refusal of Satan to prostrate to Adam, but they were unable to carry because they did not have the intellect to fulfill its responsibilities.

Wassalam..

107636

Ahl al-Bayt

When did the color black become associated with the Ahlulbayt (AS)? Was the color white or green originally associated with them?

Black color was the color of the flag of the Prophet of Islam and the color of his turban according to many narrations.

The green color was also associated with Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Till now, the scholars from the grant children of Ahlul Bayt known as Sadat have a black turban or green.

Wassalam.

109463

Ahl al-Bayt . Prophet Noah

Besides the ark of Prophet Nooh (as), what are the other Prophetic things to which the Ahlulbayt (as) have been compared?

The status of Ali (AS) from the Prophet Muhammad is like the status of Haroun from Prophet Musa (AS). This has been mentioned in an authentic Hadeeth known as Hadeeth al-Manzilah where the Prophet told Ali: O Ali, you are from me like Haroun was from Musa but there will be no Prophet after me. This Hadeeth was narrated in most eminent Sunni books of Hadeeth e.g,

1. Saheeh al-Bukhari :number 3430 and 4064.

2. Saheeh Muslim : numbers 4418, 4419, 4420, 4421.

3. Musnad Ahmad Bin Hanbal : Musnad Al-Asharah; 1384, 1408, 1423, 1427, 1450, 1465, 1498, 1514, 1522.

4. Sunan al-Tirmithi ; 3658, 3663, 3664.

5. Al-Sunan al-Kubra by al-Bayhaqi ; 16400.

6. Al-Sunan al-Khubra by al-Nasaa'ee ; 6911, 6912, 6913, 6914, 6915, 6916, 7169, 7170, 7200, 7201, 7202, 7203, 7204,

7. Sunan Ibn Maajah; 112, 118.

8. Mustafrak al-Haakim al-Nisabouri; 3294, 4575.

9. Al-Tabarani in al-Mo'jam al-Sagheer ; 825, 917.

10. Mussannaf Ibn Abi Shaibah; 31455, 31456, 31457, 31458, 36346.

And many other Sunni books of Hadeeth.

This Hadeeth along with many Quranic verses about Haroun and Musa, have the clear answer of the issue of succession of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

Haroun was the successor of Musa by order of Musa when Musa left his community (Sura Al-A'raaf: 142).

A prominent Sunni scholar from al-Azhar in Egypt , Shaikh Mahmoud Abu Riyyah said: If Muslims follow the Prophet Muhammad in this Hadeeth (al-Manzilah), and read and follow Quran, there will be no dispute that Ali is the real successor after the Prophet (SAWA).

Wassalam.

107147

Qur'an . Qur'anic Exegesis (Tafsir) . Ahl al-Bayt

Can you suggest a physical English translation of the Holy Qur'an that contains the commentary for each verse in accordance with the true Islam as practiced and taught by the Prophet (s) and his Ahlulbayt (as)?

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 10 months ago

No, insofar as there is not full agreement on the reliability of all hadith about commentary of the Qur'an that has been attributed to the Prophet (S) and Ahl al-Bayt (A). Probably, some of it is correct and some of it is incorrect. Also, we have probably lost a lot of material over history. This is apart from the fact that Shi'i tafsir, in particular, has not been translated extensively into English.

So you will still need to read various sources and investigate and put things together if you want to try to get as accurate a picture as possible. However, some suggestions in the meantime are:

* Read The Study Qur'an, ed. S. H. Nasr, and look specifically at the views from Shii commentators (the names of the commentators are given in parentheses). Of course there is no reason why Sunni commentators should not also have correct views sometimes, but I am just specifying this to give the best answer to the question here.
* Tafsir al-Ayyashi, trans. Nazmina Dhanji, which was just published.
* Reading the section on narrations in Tafsir al-Mizan (some of which is available online)
* Inshallah, ICAS Press is also planning to publish the translation of Tafsir al-Asfa soon, which is also heavily narration based and from a Shi'i lens.

Hope that helps! Maybe some people will also add some good sources.

107603

Sawm (Fasting) . Ahl al-Bayt

I know that there are many days in the Islamic calendar when it is recommended to fast. What are those days that are especially recommended and are the Wiladat days of the Ahlulbayt included in them?

Fasting during the 11 months of the year apart from the obligatory fasting of the Month of Ramadan is from the most recommended acts. Hadeeth states that recommended fasting is a protection from hellfire and it leads to Paradise. Recommended fasts are many including :

1. Three days in every lunar month. It is better to fast the first Thursday and last Thursday and first Wednesday of the middle ten days of the month.

2. Eid al-Ghadeer as Hadeeth says that fasting the day of Ghadeer is like performing hundred Hajj and hundred Umra.

3. Birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

4. Day of 27 of Rajab.

5. Day if 25 Thilqa'da ( Dahw al-Ardh).

6. Day of Arafah which the 9th of Thil Hajjah if you are not traveling and fully able to perform the A'maal of Arafah.

7. Day of Mubahalah ;24 of Thilhajjah.

8. The whole month of Rajab and the whole month of Sha'ban or parts from them.

9. Day if Nawrooz.

10. First day of Muharram and third day and seventh day from it.

11. Every Thursday if it does not clash with Eid.

12. It is very good to fast in the birth anniversary (Wiladat) of Ahlul Bayt and gift the reward of it to Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.