Home Questions Archive
Thursday, 19 September 2024
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What is the \'proof of the veracious\' (burhan al-siddiqin)? Is it the most correct, apposite and strongest proof for the existence of God?
10964
2013/03/05
Islamic Philosophy
In the history of Islamic philosophy different explanations have been given for this proof [ burhan ] the first of which has been presented by Bu Ali Sina ( Avicenna ) in his Isharaat. Meanwhile, one
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What is the correct explanation of ‘burhan al-siddiqin’ (proof of the veracious)?
9718
2013/03/05
Islamic Philosophy
The common point among various explanations and accounts presented by different scholars regarding the proof the veracious is that all those who have presented their arguments have, somehow, endeavore
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What does it mean to say that divine attributes are the same as the essence?
9026
2013/02/16
Traditional
One of the important theological, mystical, exegetical and philosophical discussions revolves around unity of attribute and the essence or name and the named. Since the point of dispute is not complet
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According to the principle of causation, the effect must always follow the cause. The question is: How is man’s free will consistent with the principle of causation?
7827
2013/02/16
Islamic Philosophy
The criterion with which an action can be described as arbitrary and voluntary is not the existential independence or necessity because nothing is independent in the world except God. According to tra
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Is tacit agreement which is not in writing considered and treated as partnership?
6305
2013/02/02
Laws and Jurisprudence
The answers received from the offices of two of the grand religious authorities are as under: Office of Grand Ayatollah Sistani ( may Allah grant him long life ) : If the purchase and sale transacti
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What is the relationship between a name and the named especially in regards to the names of the Infallibles (a.s.)?
6332
2013/02/02
Traditional
The discussion concerning the prophets names and those of the infallible imams ( a.s. ) and the development of those names in the history of human civilizations would require us to conduct a comprehen
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Given the fact that God is not recognizable by the mind, how is it possible to have knowledge of Him in a way which is not concomitant with polytheism?
6813
2013/02/02
Traditional
In regards to proper knowledge of God, we must say that, based on authentic traditions, the criterion is to avoid likening God to anything and divesting God of His attributes. For further explanation
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How would it be possible to explain unity of being in simple words?
7622
2013/02/02
وحدت وجود
Wahdatul Wuj d means to believe that all the entities ( things present around us ) are an indication of Allah s presence and to believe that everything besides Allah is subjective or just shadows and
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What is the Islamic law regarding a song sung by a woman with music instruments? What is ghinā?
8924
2013/02/02
Laws and Jurisprudence
Office of Grand Ayatollah Khamenei ( may Allah grant him long life ) : 1. If the singing is ruled as ghinā, it is ḥarām and the content makes no difference. Similarly, if one listens to her voice wit
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Is it permissible for men to listen to a woman’s singing?
16398
2013/01/24
Philosophy of Religion and Law
As you have rightly mentioned, men are different from women in a lot of ways. For this reason, different rules have been legislated for each group. When it comes to a woman reciting eulogies and narra
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Is the reality of the Commander of Faithful, Ali (a.s.) eternal?
6719
2013/01/24
Traditional
Eternity is endless and unending time. It is a state to which time has no application. Something which is eternal is not moving, and is beyond time. [ 1 ] That is to say, it has always existed. As fo
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Are leather products imported from non-Islamic countries treated as ritually impure?
8627
2013/01/20
Laws and Jurisprudence
An answer given to the above question by some grand religious authorities ( maraje ) is as follows: [ 1 ] Leather products are considered pure [ and salat in them is permissible ] , if one entertain
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If a man and a woman have illicit sexual relationship and after sometimes they marry each other and have a child after legal marriage contract, is the child legitimate or illegitimate by birth?
11012
2013/01/20
Laws and Jurisprudence
1. Assuming that their sexual relationship had been illegal according to Shari ah law and that the woman had conceived before legal marriage, the child is illegitimate by birth. However, the child is
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Is it possible to clean the private parts using tissue paper?
18061
2013/01/20
Laws and Jurisprudence
It is permissible to use toilet paper to clean only the anus from faeces. [ 1 ] The urinary organ cannot be made ritually pure without water. [ 2 ] In places where you do not have access to water, you
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Do ointment, cream and similar materials transmit impurity? What about liquids other than water?
9629
2013/01/20
Laws and Jurisprudence
All Shia scholars ( Mujtahedeen ) say: If a ritually clean thing touches a najis thing and if either or both of them are so wet that the wetness of one reaches the other, the clean thing will become n
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What should a person do if he wishes to be firm and steadfast in his beliefs?
6593
2013/01/20
Philosophy of Gnosis
To understand religion and acquire spiritual perfection, the period of youth is a golden and blessed opportunity. Our religious beliefs are not only about knowing and learning; in fact they have also
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When Allah created material things from absolute nothingness, does it mean that His Power was converted into material power and material form?
8351
2013/01/19
تجلی ذاتی
If you mean conversion of divine power into material power, there is no doubt that such a notion is false and it is never true with God. If you mean by the word conversion reflection of God s power, i
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In brief, what are the lessons [that can be taken] from Sūrah Banī Isrā\'īl?
9805
2013/01/15
Exegesis
The popular view amongst the commentators is that Sūrah Banī Isrā īl ( Isrā ) [ 1 ] was revealed in Mecca and is considered a Meccan Sūrah [ 2 ] . In summary, the core teachings of Sūrah Banī Isrā īl
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We know that the Prophet (pbuh) is infallible but why are there verses in the Quran indicating that the Prophet committed a sin.
9222
2013/01/01
Traditional
In order to clarify the subject of the discussion, it is necessary to mention the following points: 1. Being an intellectual school, Shia accepts rational principles and standards which are also end
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What is the best verse in the Quran?
8601
2013/01/01
Exegesis
Before dealing with the main question, we must say that the Quran itself is the best book and superior to all heavenly books. All of its verses ( ayāt ) are at the highest level of perfection and sign
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What is the most important message of Surah al-Masadd?
14326
2012/12/31
Exegesis
The most important message of this Surah ( chapter ) can be explain in such a way that wealthy, position and family relationship with prophets cannot protect an individual from God s wrath or fury. Ab
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In which sermon (khutaba) does Imam Ali (a.s.) elaborate on how those who had preceded him as Caliphs reached the caliphate?
7795
2012/12/23
Contextual study
Ali, the Commander of the Faithful, speaks about the three caliphs accession to caliphate in the third sermon of Nahjul Balaghah. This sermon is named Shiqshiqiyyah which is derived from a word at the
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Why do jurisprudents and theologians oppose the notion of wahdat al-wujud?
13696
2012/12/23
Theoretical
1. The notion of wahdat al-wujud [ Unity of Being ] is a monistic understanding of tawheed, the doctrine of oneness of God. It is considered one of the most fundamental concepts in mysticism and in my
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Who are the people of Gog and Magog? Where did they end up? What were the actions taken by Dhul-Qarnayn against them?
17929
2012/12/16
Exegesis
It is inferred from the Quranic verses, the information provided by Torah and historical evidence that these people lived in north Asia. They were known for their atrocious and barbaric attacks creati
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What is the basic difference between spirituality in Islam and spirituality in Christianity?
22649
2012/12/16
Modern
The value and credibility of spirituality in every religion are connected directly to genuineness and validity of that religion itself. The religious sources of Christianity present such doctrines tha
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What is khums and what is it paid on?
8707
2012/12/16
Laws and Jurisprudence
Khums literally means one-fifth or 20% . In Islamic legal terminology, it means one-fifth of certain items which a person earns by means of trade, industry, agricultural work, research or any other wa
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Can something emerge from nothing?
7437
2012/12/15
علیت و معلولیت
Based on philosophical and mystical principles, creating something out of nothing means that the universe and the entire divine attributes are, in the level of divine essence, vanished in God s essenc
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Why is there not one source of emulation and one Resalah (Manual of Islamic Laws) keeping in view the fact that Islam is not but one faith?
7550
2012/12/01
Modern
According to Islam, Ijtihad [ i ] is a necessity and the only way through which Islam, the real religion, can survive over the history and ages. Shiite jurisprudents and religious authorities differ o
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What is the philosophy behind ziarah of Imams?
10253
2012/12/01
Philosophy of Religion and Law
The inward tendency and attraction toward someone or something, along with respect and honor, is called ziarah. Since the reality of a human is his soul which is never annihilated, a za er [ pilgrim ]
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Why are there differences among human beings in terms of mood and behavior? How far do the external factors affect our nature? What is the interpretation (tafsir) of verse 30 of Chapter Al-Room in this regard?
6995
2012/11/20
Traditional
Man being created good and with a divine fitra ( nature ) does not mean that there should not and cannot be any difference among human beings in terms of mood and conduct. In fact, it means that they
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Why is none of all the Islamic countries in a desired and enviable state? Why are human values not implemented in them?
7097
2012/11/20
Modern
Islam dignifies man to a great extent. He is God s vicegerent on earth and, for this reason, Islam respects man in such a way that is not seen in any part of the world because respecting humans does n
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What is ghulu (exaggeration) and how is it possible to avoid it?
20879
2012/11/17
Traditional
Ghulu ( exceeding proper limits ) means an increase or doing something more than what is ordained by Allah ( Exalted be He ) . The Arabic word ghala ( boil ) denotes the rise of water because of fire.
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How a constructive doubt may help shape the iman?
9631
2012/11/07
Contextual study
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 construct
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If cleanliness and marriage are so important that they constitute half of faith, as the (pbuh) said, what about prayer and fasting?
11993
2012/11/06
Practical
1. It has been narrated in the question from the holy Prophet ( pbuh ) that he said: Cleanliness is half of faith . Such a narration does not exist in hadith books or other Islamic sources. 2. What
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What does annihilation mean? Please explain the concept and station of annihilation.
9389
2012/11/01
Theoretical
Annihilation is defined as total destruction or complete obliteration of an object. It is the opposite of permanence, subsistence and continuance. To explain further, God is from the category of perma