Questions Archive
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How can we differentiate between a divine test and a divine punishment?
13653 2012/05/26 TraditionalSome of the calamities and hardship we endure in our lives are definitely a part of divine trial and tribulations that are aimed to make us choose our path and adopt our strategy and position against
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What is the meaning of Labbayk?
16985 2012/05/21 Laws and JurisprudenceLabbayk means to answer in the affirmative, to agree with and accept an invitation [ 1 ] , an acceptance accompanied with honor, respect and praise. This term was originally Labbayna plus Lak , and tu
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Did Prophet Lot offer his daughters to homosexual men? Did he commit incest with his daughters, as the Bible says?
33703 2012/05/21 TraditionalThe two accounts of the story of Prophet Lot ( pbuh ) in the Holy Quran and Bible contain many commonalities. It can even be said that they share the same fundamentals; the only difference lying in th
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What is the meaning of abjad letters, especially in relation to Imam Ali?
32254 2012/05/21 TheoreticalThe abjad letters are the alphabet ( الف ب ت... ) , which have been systemized based on a specific order, meaning: abjad, hūz, ḥatī, kalamn, sa afṣ, qarasht, thakhdh, ḍaẓgh. A number has been assigned
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When we say Almighty Allah, does it account for all attributes or only for the power and might of Allah?
7006 2012/05/21 TraditionalAt the level of His essence, when we say He is the Almighty, it accounts for all of His attributes. That is, there is no difference which attribute we use to refer to His essence. On the other hand ou
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Considering the fact that there are different degrees of mentally challenged people, and most of them have no inclination towards the opposite gender, does one need to wear hijab in front of them?
6318 2012/05/21 Laws and JurisprudenceAs has been mentioned in the question, since most of these individuals are not discerning between good and bad, they have the same ruling as insane people and there is no need to wear hijab in front o
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Is the hadith of Raf’ al-Qalam and the idea that the Shi’ites are absolved of religious duty on the ninth of Rabī’ al-Awwal authentic and valid?
9486 2012/05/21 Contextual studyThis hadith not been narrated in the main and prominent sources of hadith. In addition, what is meant by the absolvement of religious duty ( رفع القلم ) is that their sins are forgiven because of the
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Is seeing God with the heart what is meant by seeing God with discerning insight?
7932 2012/05/21 PracticalSeeing 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 top
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Is Lordship confined to God Almighty?
8451 2012/05/21 Theoreticalربوبیت ( Lordship ) is derived from the word رب ( lord ) and is used in the Arabic language for the words owner, possessor and trainer. Given the fact that God is the owner of all existence, the manag
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What is the ruling on killing or hurting someone when defending yourself?
11722 2012/05/21 Laws and JurisprudenceIn the conflicts that take place between people within the society, no one is allowed to start a fight or use force against others. [ 1 ] From the Islamic point of view, the only solution is to refer
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Is it possible to say that since the ayah of taṭhīr is located in the middle of the ayah, it does not entail exclusivity? Who are the Ahl al-Bayt?
7885 2012/05/21 ExegesisIn response to the first section of the question, the ayah of taṭhīr is located in the middle of another larger ayah, but the most this issue can imply is that it is out of context when considering th
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Why is it necessary to give Sahm-e Imam to a qualified Mujtahid?
8462 2012/05/19 Laws and JurisprudenceGiven the fact that qualified jurisprudents are the general representatives of the Imam of Time ( atf ) during the period of occultation and that, in order for the Islamic laws not to remain unperform
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What are the financial resources of religious seminaries and where they get their funds from?
5884 2012/05/16 SystemShia clerics and seminaries are proud of being financially independent. The seminaries budget comes from religious dues ( Khums, endowments, charities, grants, etc. ) paid by the faithful. Some cleric
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What are the effects of contentment on our lives and how do we distinguish it from stinginess?
43246 2012/05/14 PracticalContentment has been defined as a resting of the mind without craving something else. The word qana ah which is the Arabic equivalent for contentment has been used to refer to satisfaction and happine
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What are the political thoughts of Imam Khomeini?
10522 2012/05/12 Philosophy of PoliticsThe political thoughts of Imam Khomeini ( blessed be his soul ) are a part of his macro ideas being influenced by different aspects of his thought. Given the fact that Imam Khomeini is a multi-dimensi
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What is the Quran’s perspective on waste and extravagance?
59138 2012/05/09 ExegesisThe religion of Islam is the religion of life and its precepts and rules set the grounds for human felicity and success, both for the individual, as well as the society. Islam has brought forth a comp
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Is it permissible to trade wild animals to be used for a zoo or for other entertainments?
6389 2012/05/02 Laws and JurisprudenceSuch matters have something to do with the law of the country or place where you are living. If there is no legal restriction in this regard and there is also a rational benefit in trading wild animal
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Where and when did mourning for Imam Hussein (A.S.) start first?
10544 2012/04/30 The infalliblesThe Holy Prophet of Islam, peace be upon him and his family, wept on the martyrdom of Hamza and Ja far and also encouraged others to weep. The great Shia Imams, peace be upon them, have encouraged us
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Can you shed some light on the scope and limits of wilayat-e faqih (rule of jurisprudent)?
7310 2012/04/26 Laws and JurisprudenceThe evidence and proofs supporting the rule of the jurisprudent ( wilayat-e faqih ) during the period of the occultation consider the jurisprudent as the ruler of Islamic society and deputy of the Inf
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What are the fundamentals and principles of Islam?
8388 2012/04/24 TraditionalLiterally Islam means submission and the religion of Islam is called Islam because it seeks man s submission to the will of God, the Lord of the worlds. Thus, Islam requires man to surrender himself t
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Is the chain of narrators of hadith Kisa authentic and how important is this hadith? Please explain the events that are mentioned in this hadith and the events that were followed by the revelation of the verse of Tat’hir.
21527 2012/04/21 Contextual studyDespite the fact that there is some dispute in regard to the details of the events mentioned in hadith Kisa and the verse of Tat hir and a slight difference in the wording of the ahadith, but both Shi
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Why do we ascribe evil to God accidentally?
7384 2012/04/21 Islamic PhilosophyWhat is considered as evil does not exist in the realm of abstract beings; this discussion has to do only with the material world. Good and evil have been defined in this manner: Good is that which on
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Philosophers say that evil cannot come from God, while verse 8 of surah Shams proves the exact opposite; is this paradox resolvable?
7612 2012/04/21 Islamic PhilosophyThe only thing verse 8 of surah Shams mentions is that God s do s and don ts have been transmitted to the people and they, using their minds and conscience they have been endowed with by Allah, can ea
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What is the tale of the Gharānīq
9648 2012/04/21 ExegesisThe tradition of the Gharānīq is a fabrication created by the enemies of Islam in order to weaken the position of the Quran and the Prophet ( s ) . Towards these ends, the following story has been cre
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What does Islam say about sound relationships between boys and girls?
14759 2012/04/21 Laws and JurisprudenceAccording to Islam, the male and female complement each other and God, the All-Kind, has created them fore each other. One of the needs they have, are sexual ones. Fulfilling these needs must be withi
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From the Islamic and Shi’a point of view, where exactly does man have free will in?
7296 2012/04/21 TraditionalIslamic texts ( the ahadith and the Quran ) clearly stipulate that man has free will. This does not mean that man has complete freedom and no other power or factor limits his will. Man has control o
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How can supernatural acts be explained and proven?
11272 2012/04/21 Quranic StudiesMiracles in Islamic theological terms are acts that surpass normal limits that challenge others to do the same and are in accordance with the claims of the person performing them. What is meant by sur
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How was the Holy Quran compiled?
16121 2012/04/21 Quranic StudiesAccording to the history of the compilation of the Quran, the Prophet ( s ) himself chose the verses where to be placed. It was not the companions who arranged the verses or the number of the chapters
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Can a woman have an extended relationship with others over the internet without her husband’s permission?
6956 2012/04/19 Laws and JurisprudenceThe following is the response of the maraji to your question: 1. Khamenei: If it doesn t entail using his wealth/belongings [ without his consent ] , there is no need for permission, but please do r
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Who is responsible for the sustenance of a one’s jobless son?
5852 2012/04/19 Laws and JurisprudenceThe following is the response of the maraji to this question: [ 1 ] If one s child is poor and currently cannot earn his sustenance through a means befitting his status and state, his father is res
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Is it true that Shia scholars say that the prophet wanted to consummate his marriage with Aisha when she was six years old?
7915 2012/04/19 تاريخ کلامWe couldn t find anything that supports this idea in our sources; as a matter of fact, our hadiths tell us that intercourse with a girl before she becomes baligh is forbidden. [ 1 ] Also, our sources
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What is Nafaqah?
12895 2012/04/19 Laws and JurisprudenceNafaqah is a jurisprudential term used for women, kin ( relatives ) and property. It is predominantly used for women/wives and denotes the financial support that is obligatory upon men ( when certain
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How can the contradiction between Islam and Christianity about God having a son be resolved?
8389 2012/04/19 TraditionalBased on what has been stated in surah Tawhid, the Muslims believe God to neither have begat a son, nor been begotten himself. All monotheistic religions also hold this same belief, with Christianity
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What are the ruling and conditions for marrying a non-Muslim woman?
10627 2012/04/19 Laws and JurisprudenceNon-Muslims are of two types: 1. People of the Book 2. Not People of the Book. According to the view of all Shia jurists, a Muslim man cannot get married ( neither temporarily nor permanently ) to a n
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What are the means for strengthening Shiite beliefs?
6674 2012/04/19 TraditionalIn order for us to strengthen Shiite beliefs, it is necessary that we substantiate these beliefs scientifically separating them from superstitions and illusions. We must also provide appropriate answe