Meaning

142310

Islam . Nature . God (Allah) . Meaning . Death

I know in Islam there is the belief that Allah does not have a beginning or an end. So does that mean he cannot die? But could he cause himself to not exist anymore or does this go against the nature of God?

Hassanain Govani, Hassanain Govani is based in Sweden and has an MA in History of Religion from Uppsala University and an MA in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College of London, and has also studied Arabic in... Answered 3 settimane fa

Salaamun Alaykum

In addition to the previous reply, perhaps below might be useful:
Our understanding of concepts such as "life", "death" and "existence" is coloured by our experiences. Our frame of reference is the reality that we inhabit, and it cannot be any other way. Even when we use words such as "nature of God", it is our understanding of the words "nature" and "God".

Therefore, when we talk of God as being "Alive", "Everlasting", and such, our immediate frame of reference is our own lives and existence. When we see that we come from being non-existent into existence, that we live and die, we sometimes might think of God as being alive and existing in the same manner.

Some theologians and philosophers will explain that God, who is the "source" of all that exists, is existence Himself. Whereas our existence is contingent, meaning it's dependent and possible, God's existence (or perhaps God as existence) is necessary.

I hope that the above discussion has shed some light. At the end of the day, all of our ruminations and musings are limited by our own limitations.

Always in need of your prayers
Hassanain

Islam . Nature . God (Allah) . Meaning . Death

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 settimane fa

Allah is The Everlasting Alive الحيّ ALHAYY and He never dies as He Created the life and death on all His creatures and He is above whatever He Created.

We have no ability to know or even think about Him, but we should think about what He Created. The Hadeeth says: Don't think in Allah's Self but think in Allah's creatures.

Wassalam.

139225

Meaning . Al-Abbas ibn Ali . Imam al-Mahdi

What is the difference in the meaning of the terms آل الله and آل رسول? Is using titles like قمرآل الله for Hazrat Abbas or منتقم آل الله for Imam Mahdi appropriate?

Aal Allah آل الله are in fact same as Aal Al-Rasool آل الرسول because Aal Al-Rasool are the pious Progeny of the Messenger whose obedience is obligatory on every Muslim being part and parcel of the obedience of the Prophet (SAWA) which is in fact the obedience of Allah (SWT).

Aal Allah are in fact Aal Al-Rasool as they are the Most obedient servants of Allah.

Wassalam.

133135

Human . Qur'anic Verse . Meaning

What does this Ayat mean هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنسَانِ حِينٌ مِّنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْئًا مَّذْكُورًا? What was the condition of the human at this stage? Was he alive or in a dead condition? Does it refer to all humans or only Adam (a)?

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 mesi fa

Insan has been understood to refer to all human beings, or only Adam, but it does not change the meaning significantly. It seems most appropriate to understand it as referring to all human beings.

This ayah is understood to be a rhetorical question, along the lines of, "Was there ever any time when man was such an insignificant thing that he was not worthy of being mentioned?"

Here are 3 ways it has been understood:

(a) This could be after the process of creation of the human being had begun but before human beings had populated the earth.

This idea is supported by a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (A) that it refers to 'when he was created, but unworthy of mention'.

It is also narrated from Imam al-Baqir (A) that this verse means that 'the human being was mentioned in Allah's knowledge, but not in His creation'. That is, the human being had been decreed to exist, but did not exist yet on earth.

(b) Some exegetes also say this could be before the human was created at all. (The human only existed in the divine decree and knowledge, so the human was "mentioned" by God but not by anyone else.)

(c) It has also been understood to mean, "Was there ever any time when God was ignorant of the human being?" The answer to that is no, since God had knowledge of what He would create.

All of the meanings can work together too since the point is to emphasize the smallness of the human being compared to the divine, which is a theme that continues in the next ayah.

132857

Meaning . Sermon . Nahj al-Balagha

What is the meaning of the phrase 'Keep light and overtake' used by Imam Ali (as) in sermon 21 of the Nahjul Balagha?

تخفَّفوا تلحقوا means be light from the burdens of bad deeds and worldly useless matters, you will then overtake and reach to your goal of success in the Hereafter.

Wassalam.

136198

Meaning

What is the meaning of the term Mashaa Allah?

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 4 mesi fa

Bismihi ta'ala

This is a common expression we use as Muslims, and can be interpreted in different ways.

Initially, ما شاءَ اللهُ is three words, ma (anything/what/whatever), shaa` (will/want/desire/request) and Allah.

When we utter this, we are expressing God's power and will over us.

It means anything that Almighty God wills happens, and whatever God wants will happen. When we say it, we are confirming that it is God's will and what He wants, and not our will, or what people want, even if they dont want it, or hate it, if it is the will of God, it will happen.

It is highly recommended to say this dhikr, especially beginning the day by saying bismillah, ma shaa Allah.

The custom is also that this statement is said to repel evil eye and envy. So, when you see something/someone nice, to repel evil eye and envy, you say ma shaa Allah.

And Allah knows best.

134218

Meaning . Mubah

Can you please describe the meaning of the term Mubah and give an example?

Mubah means permissible or allowed like eating fruits and vegetables or drinking water if you are not fasting.

'Wassalam.

135712

Soul . Qur'an . God (Allah) . Meaning

When the Quran speaks of Allah (swt) breathing into Adam (a) of His spirit what does it mean? Is the soul a creation of God or something from God? Is there a distinction?

Soul is created by Allah and gifted to us as a bounty from Him on us. Soul is never part from Allah (SWT). Nothing at all can be like Allah or part from Him.

Wassalam.

132858

Meaning . Sermon . Nahj al-Balagha

What is the meaning of the phrase 'Your last ones are being awaited by the first ones (who have preceded)' in sermon 21 of Nahjul Balagha?

This sermon calls people to prepare themselves for their permanent life which is definitely coming after this short worldly life. All of us are going as all those who were before us have gone. every one from us is surely facing the same fate of those who were before us.

Wassalam.

132958

Meaning . Arabic . Language . Qur'an

What is the difference of meaning between Quranic words ذوالقربیٰ and فی القربیٰ? Please give reference of meaning according to any authentic dictionary of the Arabic language.

ذو القربى are the relatives themselves, while في القربى means spending on the relatives and treating them.

Wassalam.

133045

Meaning . Imam Ali al-Rida

Is there any proof from authentic narrations for calling Imam Ali Riza (AS) Ghareebul Ghuraba? What does this title mean?

Ghareeb is an Arabic word which means a stranger. Ghreebul Ghuraba means the the stranger of the strangers.

We have authentic narrations in Kaamil Al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qowlawayh mentioning great reward for visiting Imam Ali Riza (AS) in his far away place في غربته. Which means that he is Ghareeb in the place where he is.

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.