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.

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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 años ago

   1.    The Names of the Twelve Imams of Ahlulbayt (A.S.) were mentioned by the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H. and His Holy Progeny) in many authentic Hadeeths narrated in Shia Books and Sunni Books as well. Despite all the efforts of the enemies of Ahlulbayt (A.S.) to delete and hide and destroy any written Hadeeth in favor of Ameerul Mo'mineen (AS.) and Ahlulbayt (A.S.). You find till today many of Sunni Books still contain many Hadeeths in favor of Ahlulbayt (A.S.). 
    2.    The Twelve Successors: 
All Muslims believe that the Prophet (SAWA) has said that: My Successors will be twelve. This Hadeeth of Twelve Successors is mentioned in:
    ⁃    Saheeh Bukhari ( Hadeeth number 6682) 
    ⁃    Saheeh Muslim ( 3393 and 3394 and 3395 and 3396 and 3397 and 3398) 
    ⁃    Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal ( 3593, 3665, 19875, 19887, 19892, 19901, 19914, 19920, 19922, 19925, 19944 and many other Hadeeths in this meaning.
    ⁃    Sunan Al-Tirmithi 2149.
    ⁃    Sunan Abi Dawoud 3731 and 3732
    ⁃    Al Mustadrak Ala Sahihain by al-Haakim al-Nisabouri ;6586, 6589 and 8529.
    ⁃    Al-Albani in Takhreej al-Hadeeth; 376, 1075 and 3598.
    ⁃    and in many other Sunni Books. The Hadees states that all the twelve will be from “Quraish”.
    4.    There is more clear Hadeeth from the Prophet (SAWA) which was been hidden by most of the narrators who where under the pressure of the tyrant rulers of the enemies of Ahlulbayt (A.S.). This Hadees states that all the Twelve Successors of the Prophet (SAWA) will be from “Bani Hashim” as it is narrated by the well known Sunni Scholar Al Qunduzi Al Hanafi in Yanabee’ Al Mawaddah Vol: 2 Page: 315. 
    5.    The names of the Twelve Imams one after another are mentioned in many Hadeeths in the book of well known Sunni Scholar Al Khawarizmi Al Hanafi in his book Maqtal Al-Hussain narrating from Abi Salma from the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H. and His Holy Progeny). (Vol: 1 Page: 146.)
    6.    The Hadees mentioning the names of 12 Imams also narrated in the book of the well-known Sunni Scholar Al Qunduzi Al Hanafi (The name of the book is Yanadiyeh Al Mawaddah) Vol: 3 Page: 380. 
    7.    There are Hadeeths mentioning the names of Twelve Imams (A.S.) narrated by al Hamaweeni As Shafi’ee. 
    8.    Also you can find the mention of the Twelve Imams in the well known Sunni Book Tazkirat Al Khawas تذكرة الخواص by Sibt Ibne Al-Jawzi (a well known Hanafi scholar in Vol: 2 Page: 373. 
    9.    One of our well known Ulama (Al-Khazzaz Al Qummi) who was one of the students of Sheikh Al Sadooq has compiled a full book ( Kifayat al-Athar Fi al-Nass Akal Etha Ashar)in which he mentioned of Hadeeths stating the names of the Twelve Imams narrating from 30 Companions by their names who mentioned what they heard from the Prophet (PBUH) the names of the Twelve Imams (A.S.)                  
    10.    A Sunni scholar by the name of Shaikh Hikmat al-Rahma has compiled a book known as The Imams of Ahlul Bayt in Sunni books.                                       Wassalam.
 

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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 3 años ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. While the traditions from the Infallibles (as) encourage a positive attitude towards sickness and all types of trial, that does not mean that they sought those difficulties and didn't seek well being. Rather, Islam is a religion in which all types of well being are encouraged, and there are plenty of hadith supporting supplicating for good health and the prevention and removal of calamities as well as prescriptions for good health and wise maxims to help a person navigate their lives as effectively as possible. A Muslim is successful in this world and the next, attaining well being in both. Even if their situation is difficult, a Muslim should develop their personality such that they are always in a good state even if the world is falling apart around them.

So the encouragement to have a positive attitude is not the same as seeking problems or having a defeatist attitude. Rather, it is to build a Muslim to be able to progress in every state. For more on the philosophy of test see these short podcast episodes:

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-75-51-261-263-Ordea...

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-76-51-264-268-Ordea...

https://anchor.fm/zoheir-ali-esmail/episodes/Episode-77-51-269-276-Ordea...

May you always be successful

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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 años ago

We have many Hadeeths about narcissus النرجس. In Tibb Al-Ridha , page 38, from Imam Al-Ridha : Don't delay smelling the narcissus, as it prevents cold in the winter.

'Wassalam.

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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 años ago

Al Horoof al-Muqatta'a or al-Muqatta'aat are combinations of letters or single letter of the Arabic language in the beginning of 29 surahs in Qur'an. 27 of them are Makki surahs and only 2 are Madani - al-Baqara and Aal Imran.
 
Each letter is recited separately. Examples are Alif Laam Mim, Haa Mim and Alif Laam Ra.
 
No doubt there are meanings for every letter in Qur'an but the ulama have discussed these letters and have different opinions.
 
Some of the ulama say that it is a challenge to the Arabs - the fact that these letters are from their own language. It is a challenge to them to prove that they can never bring something like Qur'an.  When they failed, they were challenged to bring ten chapters like its chapters, and when failed, they were challenged to bring just one chapter like its chapters. They failed as well. That is very clear evidence that the Qur'an is not from a human source.
 
No doubt the meaning of these letters in Qur'an and the meaning of the whole Qur'an is fully with the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and with his Holy Projeny Ahlul Bayt (AS).
 
We have many narrations in this regard in the book of al-Shaykh al-Saduq known by Ma'ani al-Akhbar - the meanings of the narrations.
 
Many narrations about the meanings of some of the Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at like Alif Laam Ra is that it is the greatest name of Allah (SWT), Ta Haa is one of the names of the Prophet (SAWA).
 
In surah Maryam the first verse - Kaf Ha Ya 'Ain Sad - according a narration it refers to Karbala, the victimisation of Ahlul Bayt (as), the criminal Yazid, the thirst of Imam Hussain (as) and the patience of Imam Hussain (as).
 
These narrations are many but we can come to the conclusion that the detailed meanings of these letters are with the Prophet (pbuh) and Ahlul Bayt (as).
 
The ulama have also seen a link between these letters and the surah itself so if any surah starts with Alif Laam Mim, there is a link between these letters and the contents of the surah.
 
Many books were written on the subject of Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at:
 
·        Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at fil-Qur'an by Abd al-Jabbar Sharara
·        Awa'il al-Suwar fil-Qur'an al-Karim by Ali Nasuh Tahir
·        Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at fee awail al-Suwar al-Qur'aniya by Muhammad Ahmed Abu Firakh
·        Asrar al-Huruf, wa yalih al Horoof al-Muqatta'ah fil-Qur'an al-Karim by Kazim Muhammad Ali Shukr
·        Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at fee awail al-Suwar by Adil bin Ali bin Ahmed al-Shiddi
·        Al-Nadhr ila al-Ma'ani Al Horoof al-Muqatta'at by Hamid bin Abullah bin Ali
·        al-Muqatta'at fee Fawatih al-Suwar by Asmaa Tariq Ismail Rayyan
 
Briefly we say that the real meanings of these letters are best known by the Prophet (pbuh) and his Holy Projeny (as).
Wassalam.

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All the Prophets are Infallibles with no exception at all.

The status of the fourteen Infallables ( Muhammad , Ali, Fatimah, Hasan, Husain and nine Imams from Imam Husain) is The highest above all noble human beings. No doubt there are very pious personalities like Lady Maryam Bint Imran and Lady Asiya Bint Muzahim who have got a degree of infallibility which is called by some scholars as minor infallibility. Minor infallibility means a high state of piousness in which the person keeps himself away from sins because of continuous remembering Allah (SWT). This type of infallibility is less than the infallibility of the 14 Ma'soomeen (AS). 

Lady Zaynab (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) were best of the best pious people but their status is after the status of the 14 Ma'soomeen. Many scholars call their infallibility as acquired infallibility which is a result of highest degrees of Taqwa and piousness.

Wassalam.

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Quran is very clear in referring the believers to the Prophet (SAWA) for the details of everything. (And We have sent down the Quran on you,so that you explain to the people what has been sent down for them) (Sura 16, verse 44.)

Allah (SWT) ordered us in Quran to establish the obligatory prayers, with out mentioning the number of every prayer because He Has ordered us to take whatever the Messenger tell us to do and leave whatever the Messenger prohibit us from.( Sura 59, verse7). The knowledge we get from the Prophet (SAWA) is in fact by order of Allah (SWT) in Quran.

This means that Quran has the knowledge of everything either directly in the Quranic text or indirectly through the Messenger. Obviously, the Messenger is succeeded by his divine successors who are the twelve Imams from Ahlul Bayt (AS). They continued teaching people the details of Islam.

Wassalam.

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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 3 años ago

This is referring to Qur'an 36:12 and there is some discussion here:

https://www.al-islam.org/ask/what-is-the-full-significance-and-historica...

If the phrase "imam mubeen" is understood to refer to a human Imam, such as Imam 'Ali, there is no reason why it has to refer to a human Imam who is presently living since the souls of humans exist after death, and the Qur'an states that martyrs are alive. Although, of course, it could, and God knows best. 

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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 3 años ago

This question touches on the nature of reality - for instance, are thoughts part of reality?

In the material world, one's thoughts and intentions are not visible or "real" in the same way that a brick or truck is real.

However, in the hereafter, one's thoughts and intention will be made manifest so everyone can see them. (Thus, everyone will be able to read what was on other people's minds the same way they would see a brick or a truck here.) Therefore, they have an objective reality which we do not see directly.

Beings such as angels or Shaytan which are occupying a different aspect of reality (for instance, coming and going from the heavens) or which are of a different construction may be able to see the realities of our thoughts and intentions. (If the angels could not see your intentions, how could they write down that you should have extra reward when you are tempted to do a wrong deed but abstain?)

To my understanding, this is not about special permission from Allah but rather being on a different "wavelength" of reality or having different senses, in the same way that some animals can hear certain frequencies that humans cannot. 

In any case, the way that the universe is created is part of the divine plan, so we should assume there is divine wisdom behind 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... Answered 3 años ago

Knowing what is in the mind of others is part of 'Elm al-Ghayb ( Knoweldge of the unseen) which is gifted by Allah (SWT) to His humble servants according to different degrees depending on the level of the humbleness of the servant. 
The Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS) are gifted what Allah Has gifted them from 'Elm al-Ghayb. Even pious believers can know the mind of some person under curtain circumstances. The Hadeeth says: Beware of the deep sight of the believer, as he is guided by the Noor of Allah.

Real piousness opens the gates of facts of life to the pious servant of Allah (SAWA).

Satan does not know our intentions but whispers to people to misguide and harm them.

Wassalam.

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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 3 años ago

For the most part, we don't have strong historical evidence about the details of what women from the Ahl al-Bayt (A) were wearing, apart from a few situations where there was a reason to mention a specific fabric or something.

Anyway, without being an expert in the history of clothing, it seems that in some places, the tendency to wear black is pre-modern (and I suspect due to convenience) and in some places it is a product of modernity. When discussing today's "Islamic fashions", it is worth keeping in mind that what we have access to today is largely due to industrialization - for instance, the production of synthetic fabrics, cheap stretchy socks, and mass-produced garments - and people in the past did not have these things. Also, the concept of global "Islamic fashion" (often epitomized by the black Saudi-style abayah) is relatively new and probably due to globalization; up until recent decades, Muslims seemed to tend to wear their own regional styles more. 

(There are, however, some interesting books about the history of clothing in the Muslim world, if it is a subject of interest, as well as some early photographs)

To my knowledge, in places like Iran, in the past, it was more common to wear coloured chadors, but in the 20th century, black became the popular colour. 

Anyway, shari'ah in and of itself does not regulate what colour you have to wear. However, a general principle is that of 'urf; that is, one should dress in such a way which is considered normal in the area and does not attract attention (unless there is a clear reason to do otherwise, for instance, everyone may be wearing a bikini on the beach, but that doesn't mean it's appropriate to wear a bikini). So colours are one of the matters of 'urf; in some places, it might be normal and appropriate to wear bright colours, and in other places, such as Qom, it might attract a lot of attention or be an inappropriate form of social signalling. Non-Muslm countries also tend to vary widely in their 'urf regarding the colours people wear so it is really left to one's individual judgment, or you could ask people around you if you are concerned. 

Anyway, as is said, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, and Allah created all the colours and did not make any of them inherently taboo.*

(*apart from cases where wearing certain colours is specifically considered makruh, this is not the main subject here)

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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 3 años ago

"…Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid." Quran 18:21

We can understand from this ayah, about the people of the cave, the permissibility of building masajid at burial sights of respected individuals.

Also, refer to Kamil al Ziyarat for many narrations about the significance of visiting Imam Hussain's (as) shrine.

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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 años ago

The question of : where is Quran is not proper if Muslims understand the Quranic order ( Obey Allah, obey the Messenger and your divine leaders)(4:59).

You can ask this person: Where it says in Quran to pray morning prayers in two Rak'ats, Dhuhr in four, Assr in four, Maghrib in three and Isha is four? The answer is: The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) said that and Quran ordered us to obey him.

The Prophet (SAWA) said in Hadeeth al-Kisaa' which is narrated by many authentic narrators in Sunni and Shia books that Allah has created the universe for love of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.