Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

198657

Are the earlier Sunni-style prayers and other deeds of those who convert to Shia Islam considered valid? I previously held unorthodox beliefs, focusing solely on the Qur'an, and now worry whether my earlier prayers and deeds are valid.

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 1 day ago

Your religious deeds must be be according to the verdicts of the Marja' of Taqleed of your time. If the religious deeds was away from the verdict of the Marja' of Taqleed, it should be redone in the proper way.

Wassalam.

198660

Lie. Meaning

If I lied about my decision and it unintentionally harmed someone who based their choice on my misinformation, does that mean I have wronged them?

Misinforming people who seek your opinion or your decision is wrong. We need to inform others who seek our advice the full truth which we know.

Wassalam.

198448

Father. Wife. Sunni. Sayyid

Is a young boy, born to his father's second wife who is Sunni, still considered a Sayyed if his father is a Sayyed, despite believing he is not due to his mother's Sunni background?

If his father is a Sayyed, he will be a Sayyed as well just like his father.

Wassalam.

198426

Western Society. Conversion to Islam. Imamah

As a Western revert, am I allowed to adopt an Islamic name, and can I use names of the Imams, such as Ali or Hussain, as my first name?

Yes, you and every Muslim is allowed to adopt any Islamic name including names of the Infallible Imams like Ali, Hussain.

Wassalam.

177557

Hijab. School. Niqab. India. Hypocrisy (Nifaq)

As an Indian, Hijab is prohibited at my school, so I do not wear it there. However, I desire to wear a Niqab in other places, which makes me feel hypocritical. What options do I have in this situation?

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 1 day ago

There is no Islamic problem in wearing niqab in some places but not others. However, sometimes there is a cultural idea or social pressure that someone who wears certain types of garments should not be seen differently. So you should decide what you feel is best for yourself. Sometimes an advantage of trying new clothing in some places is it gives us a chance to experiment with it and see whether or not it is something we want later in life.

198455

Marriage. Sin

Is it true that marriage is not obligatory and individuals who choose not to marry but remain chaste and focus on their careers will not be considered sinful?

Yes

Marriage is recommended in the sunnah, and in a good situation, can provide stability, security, support, spiritual blessings, and happiness, and women in particular (even today) tend to enjoy a higher standard of living and more security when married. Of course, sometimes it doesn't work out well. Anyway it is optional, and some important sacred figures like Hazrat Maryam (a) were not married (in the view of Muslims).

This is a Shii view, and some Sunnis debate whether marriage is obligatory or not (although a good number of Sunnis would say it is not).

198359

Employment. Riba

Is it permissible to work as an accountant where you are recording Riba transaction of Muslims?

It is not permissible to do anything related to usury (RIBA). The money received for such work will be also not lawful (Haraam).

Wassalam.

198332

Miscarriage. Paradise. Infant

If a mother has a miscarriage at 9 weeks and the doctor indicates the fetus stopped developing at 6 weeks, will the child in this case attain Paradise?

Every dead child from Muslim parents will attain Paradise as mentioned in our Hadeeth that Muslim dead children will be looked after by Saravnearvthe Paradise, then every child will be invited to enter Paradise, but will say: I wait for my parents to enter Paradise.

Wassalam.

196547

Education

I aspire to be a doctor but have recently experienced a spiritual awakening, leading me to want to study Islam and prioritize worship. Despite my struggles over the past three years, my family urges me to complete school. What should I do?

It's not unusual for people who are drawn to healing others to also have a strong spiritual side.

If you're already on track to being a doctor and can realistically complete your medical education, it's worthwhile to finish it. This will enable you to serve people wherever you live, and also help you to have a decent income. (Sometimes, people who study Islam struggle financially.) A lot of people who study Islam have degrees in other subjects (such as engineering or medicine), and what you study now can help guide you in the future.

Although I haven't been to medical school, a lot of people seem to have meltdowns partway through, and so it's also worth considering whether you genuinely are called to a different life path, or you are just feeling overwhelmed with the stress and challenges and just need to hold on.

You can still dedicate time to worship as much as you are able (it is often about quality rather than quantity of time!) and, in the future, also on studying more about Islam.

197572

Hadith. Usul al-Kafi. Zanj

What is the authenticity of the Hadith in al-Kafi that warns against marrying the people of al-Zanj declaring them to be خَلْقٌ مُشَوَّهٌ a distorted creature?

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 1 week ago

Bismihi ta'āla

This is an interesting topic that many of our scholars have addressed. I would like to share some quick points:

1. Our principle is we are all the same, and equal, and our virtue over others is only in taqwa.

2. Not every narration mentioned is to be taken as authentic. Many narrations are fabricated.

3. There are Arabic expressions that one understands on face, but linguists and experts have explained it carrying different meaning that the meaning commonly used. for example, "shadid al-sawad", does not mean extremely black, it means someone who does not die their hair, even though they are of old age. Or a "qawm of jinn" this does not mean they are jinn, but they hide in mountains, do not socialise, so "jinn" here does not mean the jinn creature, but the literal meaning of "concealing and hiding".

4. There are narrations about the people of Kufah, or the people of Esfahan and not loving Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). If authentic, it could be referring to a group of people, or a certain situation, or specific for a time, not generalising and forever.

5. The word "zinj" has numerous meanings, and does not only mean "black people". In principle, our Islamic values condemn such an attitude, and is categorically rejected, so therefore, it must be referring to something else other than what is commonly taken as its meaning.

And Allah knows best