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Questions Archive (Categorization by subject:Practical)

Why do some Shiite mystics and scholars renounce the world and divinely gifted halāl pleasures and bounties?
689 2012/06/28 Practical
The divine bounties and pleasures are not restricted to worldly and material things; rather they also include spiritualities which for many people entail greater pleasures. The mystics and pious ones ...
Is seeing God with the heart what is meant by seeing God with discerning insight?
697 2012/05/21 Practical
Seeing God with our discerning insight, which has been mentioned in Imam Ali’s (A.S.) words falls under the theological discussion of seeing God. According to the sound assessment regarding this ...
What is Chelleh Neshini (worshipping for a forty day period)? What is the viewpoint of the Shia on this practice?
794 2011/09/22 Practical
The meaning behind Chelleh Neshini (worshipping for a forty day period) in the field of spiritual wayfaring is for one to be cautious in regards to one’s self for a period of forty days. Through these ...
How can perfection be attained?
692 2011/08/15 Practical
This topic needs to be discussed in three parts.1. Definition of Kamal (Perfection) and How It Differs from Tamam (Completion) and ProgressCompletion applies when speaking about the parts of a thing, as ...
The Qur`an mentions the fact that there is no fear or sadness for the friends of Allah (Surat Yunus (10), Verse 62). If this is the case, then why do we read the following prayer in the Du’a of Friday (addressing Imam al-Zaman (ع)): “Peace be upon you O Pure one who is afraid!”
796 2011/08/15 Practical
Fear is of two types: praiseworthy and blameworthy. Blameworthy fear, like fearing for ones’ life or fearing people and creatures is meaningless for the friends of Allah (awj). This is why Imam Ja’far ...
What is nearness to Allah (awj)? How many different kinds of nearness are there? How can we gain nearness to Allah (awj)?
845 2011/08/15 Practical
In lexicographical terms, “qurb” means the nearness of one thing to another. This can be in space or time. Of course in commonplace usage, “qurb” also applies to being the centre of attention and to holding ...
What is the purpose of dreaming? Why has Allah granted us dreams?
699 2011/05/18 Practical
Dreaming is one of the signs of Allah and a window to the unseen, a characteristic and natural trait that Allah has imparted to our bodies and souls.
What does Fana mean in Irfan (Mysticism)?
1082 2011/04/20 Theoretical
Fana’ is an Arabic word and literally means non existence and being annihilated. In the words of the Urafa’, it means for a servant to utterly abide in Allah in a way that the humanistic aspect of the ...
What is Sufism? Was Imam Khomeini (r.a) a Sufi?
1269 2011/01/27 Practical
The lexical root of 'tasawwuf' is variously traced to sūf "wool", referring to the simple wool-made cloaks the early Muslim ascetics wore and who claimed to purify their inner self from filth ...
What is the Islamic law concerning eating food with Hindus and eating foodstuffs like crab, different kinds of fish, Indian snack etc.?
1165 2010/11/09 Practical
As per the fatwa of all grand jurists, all non-believers including Hindus are ritually impure. Supreme Leader, grand Ayatollah Khamenei and a few other prominent jurists are of the view that non-Muslims ...
Does man have the capacity to love Allah?
702 2010/09/05 Practical
The logic behind experiencing ‘metaphoric’ love is to reach true love and if it is accompanied with chastity, after causing fundamental changes and developments it will bring man very close to Godly love. ...
What is meant by “the presence of the heart in prayer (hudhur al-qalb)”? Is thinking about worldly matters that associate with things pertaining to the hereafter in contradiction of the heart being present in prayer?
786 2010/08/21 Practical
Hudhur al-qalb in prayer means to liberate the heart from everyone except the person you are speaking to, that is in the case of prayer to pay complete attention to it and the words that are being said ...
Are there any examples of Irfan in the Nahjul Balagha?
981 2010/08/17 Theoretical
According to the Imams (a), Irfan is not divided into practical and theoretical. In the language that they used and in their life history, they did not consider practical Irfan any different from theoretical ...
What does the phrase "المجاز قنطرة الحقیقة" refer to? Please explain Islam’s standpoint on “metaphoric love”.
913 2010/08/17 Practical
1. Islamic scholars believe that there is no more than one true love in this world and that being the love for God, the other types of love are considered to be metaphoric, unreal and illusory love. Moreover ...
When put in the grave what can we do to better our surroundings?
687 2010/08/14 Traditional
The feelings a person might experience when lying in his grave is completely contingent upon the environment he has arranged and prepared with his deeds and acts in this world, thus this feeling may differ ...
What are the right ways of fulfilling lust in Islam and according to Imam Khomeini?
1099 2010/07/20 Practical
As one who is in pursuit of the truth regarding Islam’s laws and the viewpoints of the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini, it is of dire importance that you rely only on authentic sources ...
By whom and how can teyyul-ard be achieved?
773 2010/07/20 Practical
Teyyul-ard denotes the quick transportation from one point to another in an instant. Teyyul-ard is something extraordinary and above normal human power, and is only possible for those who have total control ...
What does it mean to choose one’s death from the perspective of the Holy Quran and traditions?
886 2010/05/27 Practical
It is possible to say that the original source of the term ‘death by choice’ or ‘voluntary death’, which is used in Islamic Irfan (gnosis), first came up in this tradition from the Holy Prophet (s) where ...
How can one cleanse himself from sin?
1088 2007/03/15 Practical
There are many ways to receive forgiveness and pardon. We will mention a few of them here:Repentance and rededicating oneself to the path of God (contingent upon its conditions).Doing outstanding ...
Is it true that some Muslim Gnostics can fly or levitate?
1017 2007/02/08 Practical
That which you have mentioned is an effect and result of Man’s spiritual strength, sometimes this may come about by acting in accordance with religious laws and legitimate ascetic discipline. This means ...

Random questions

Isn't there a contradiction between when Imam Ali (as) gave his ring to the beggar while in prayer and when an arrow was pulled out of his foot in prayer and he didn’t feel anything?
1172 Contextual study 2009/10/22
In response to your question, the following points can be pointed to:1- Man has the potential to acquire virtues through performing certain acts that please Allah (swt), and reach a point in which he bears all virtues, becoming a complete individual and achieving total perfection.2- When one reaches such a ...
Why does the Imam of Time (ajt) not write a book to guide people during the time of occultation?
746 Traditional 2010/11/22
This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
Considering the difference of opinion the ulema have on the issue of Wilayat Faqih, can one deny the whole concept?
561 System 2010/09/05
This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
In a hadith by Imam Ridha (as) I read that “أَنَّهُمْ مَالِکُونَ مَجَازاً لَا حَقِیقَةً لَه”. What is meant by this metaphorical ownership that the imam is talking about?
780 Contextual study 2011/12/20
Allah is the true owner of the entire universe and everything within it. However, Allah has put this ownership at the disposal of man without disconnecting His own ownership in the least way, as Quranic verses and hadiths tell us, some of which we will mention here:1- “وَ سَخَّرَ لَکُمْ ...
What is the position of Islam on democracy?
711 System 2010/03/13
Democracy is a method of organizing society and respecting the majority vote while maintaining individual and civil rights.Although the majority is not necessarily always right[i], the majority can be determining[ii] and can accomplish its goals by accepting or not accepting them. From Islam's point of view a system can not ...
What is the basis of the disparity in the creation of the creatures? Why is one of them created as a human another as an animal or a plant?
472 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2012/04/12
The existing system of the world is the most wise and judicious system. It is not only based on knowledge, consciousness and will but is also the most healthy and the best possible system. No better system is possible. The existing world is the most perfect because everything and every ...
How can I repent from an illegitimate sexual relationship I had with one whom I planned to marry?
586 Laws and Jurisprudence 2010/11/22
Zina or fornication (in Islamic terms, which is the subject of certain Islamic laws) means for a man’s penis to enter the vagina or anus of a woman until the glans is completely enveloped without the two being married or at least ‘similar to married’ (“similar to married” is a ...
What is the status of the woman in Islam? Are they the same as men?
518 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2009/08/15
According to Islam, the man and woman have to be in pursuit of a common objective, which is to reach the pinnacle of humanity, and both must bear the means of accomplishing such an objective without any difference as a result of difference in gender; a difference that the order ...
What is the relationship between wilayah and marja’iyyah?
510 2011/12/20
In Shia thought, marja’iyyah is comprised of two responsibilities; the issuance of legal verdicts, and wilayah (i.e., leadership and authority). Throughout history, the grand marja’s have both explained and preached the general divine laws of Islam, and in particular social issues, have taken up the role of leading the people. ...
How a constructive doubt may help shape the iman?
622 Contextual study 2012/11/07
This topic is connected to four presuppositions: First, there are two types of doubts: constructive and non-constructive. Second, a constructive doubt can help shape the iman. Third, a constructive doubt is not the complete cause of iman rather it is one of effective factors for iman to come to fruition. Fourth, iman is not ...

What is Islam’s view on dinosaurs?
7352 Exegesis 2007/02/26
The Quran is a book of guidance and everything which supports this goal [of guidance] has been mentioned in this Holy Book. The method used in expressing matters is: focusing on the general aspects and less on the details and particulars, and the reason for that may be the ...
What are the signs of the reappearance of Imam Mahdi (atf) and the events that shall take place thereupon?
6340 Traditional 2012/01/28
Your question concerning the reappearance of the Imam of Time can be investigated around four focal points:First: The signs for his coming are categorized into different groups, one of them being their classification into “certain” and “uncertain” signs: According to some hadiths, five signs are considered “certain” and they are ...
What is meant by Sidratul-Muntaha that the Quran has mentioned?
3843 Exegesis 2010/04/07
This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
What is a muslims duty when dealing with atheist?
3407 Quran 2006/10/09
Dear Brother/Sister,Assalam alaikum wa rahmatullah.The answer to your question is as follows: As a believer you should try to show others the beauty of religion and its dimensions in order to motivate them into learning about religion and to have a positive inclination towards it. For example, you can demonstrate ...
I have researched that before the creation of Hazrat Adam there were jins on earth...
3398 Traditional 2007/04/11
The existence of jins is established in the Quran and there characteristics are also displayed. Even though our knowledge about jins is limited and minute, there are many proofs that one can use proving that there were jin prophets before the creation of Prophet Adam (a). Some of the proofs ...
Why was Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) allowed to have more than four wives?
3081 Philosophy of Religion and Law 2007/04/05
The topic of the prophet of Islam’s (P.B.U.H.) marriages and number of spouses is a subject which has been questioned very much. In reference to this issue, we should mention first of all that before the ruling for the impermissibility of having more than four wives was revealed, Hazrat Muhammad ...
How should an astronaut get wudhu and make prayer in outer space?
2941 Modern 2006/11/26
Under no circumstances or conditions is it permissible to discard obligatory prayers, and they must be made in any possible situation. If possible, a person who is in space or on a spaceship should try to settle in a fixed location using the available means in order to complete ...
I would like to know the methods of religious thought.
2926 Traditional 2006/07/15
There are three methods of religious thought in Islam. The Holy Quran in its teachings points to three paths for Muslims to follow in order to comprehend the purposes of religion and the Islamic sciences: (1) the path of the external and formal aspect of religion (the ...
If a woman is divorced and then remarries, then who would be her spouse in the hereafter?
2799 Traditional 2006/12/02
For a man and a woman who were married to each other in this world, there a several theories regarding their situation in the next world; for example: The husband and the wife are both in heaven.The wife is in heaven and the husband in hell.The husband is in ...
Why is it permitted for a married man to have a temporary wife, without his wife's approval?
2224 Modern 2007/09/26
Sexual inclinations are one of the strongest human instincts which, like other natural human instincts, must be satisfied in the appropriate way. Human instincts can not be extinguished and even if we can suppress them it is not wise to do so, as that would be fighting against the laws ...

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