1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

35 Questions

If a person swears by his father, for fear of swearing falsely by Allah, and tells a lie that his father is dearer to him than Allah, then has that person committed Shirk?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Shirk is worshipping or believing in worshipping any one or thing beside Allah (SWT). False oath or swearing is a sinful act but it is not Shirk.

Wassalam.
My name is Prasad which means an offering to god in Hindi in the context of Hinduism. I do like my name but, as a new convert to Islam, I am wondering if I have to necessarily change it?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is not obligatory on new Muslim to change his non Muslim name as far as the name does not contain wrong meaning.

Wassalam.
Why is Shirk such a major sin against God that He will not forgive, despite His unlimited compassion and mercy, when for sins against other people we are asked by God to seek their forgiveness?
Abbas Di Palma

as salam alaikum

the Qur'an says: "Surely Allah does not forgive that a partner be associated with Him but He forgives everything else to whomsoever He wills" (4:48). On the other hand, He says: "Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed He forgives all sins: (39:53).

To understand this, we need to understand that Allah forgives anyone who believes in Him: "Surely I am Forgiving to him who turns in repentance to Me and believes and do righteous deeds and sticks to the guidance" ( (20:82).

Shirk is not something to be forgiven by Allah in the sense that it is the mushrik to put himself out of Allah's mercy. A wrongdoing committed against yourselves can be forgiven through Allah's mercy, a wrongdoing committed against another person also can be forgiven in a similar way, as long as we are pure enough to turn to Him and be receivers of His mercy. Shirk however cannot be forgiven in such way because by limiting Allah's presence in your heart, you are limiting Allah's mercy on you as well.  It is reported in a hadith qudsi that Allah said:

أنا عند ظن عبدي بي 

"I am as My servant thinks I am"

It is only through faith and by fully relying on Him, that we can uproot shirk and hope in His mercy and Forgiveness.

In conclusion we can say that there is no limit to Allah's mercy as long as the servant does not limit himself and turns away from it.

With prayers for your success.
Is watching movies or playing games allowed in which some characters call themselves god or are referred to as god? Is it considered Shirk when you don't actually believe it and watch or play just for entertainment?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

No, it is not allowed to play or encourage such movies and games.
It can mislead lay people, and goes against the main fact of the existence which is Tawheed.

Wassalam.