Category: Islamic Queries

Question: In regards to the spiritual power and worth of Ṣalāt al-Ghufaylah, we have heard something to the effect that apparently Yazīd ibne Muʿāwiyah said to Imām ʿAlī ibne al-Ḥusayn al-Sajjād, “I have killed the son of the Messenger of Allāh … is it possible for me to still attain salvation?!” To this, Imām al-Sajjād has been reported to have replied, “Yes, if you perform Ṣalāt al-Ghufaylah, then you will be redeemed.” After this conversation transpired, Sayyida Zaynab binte ʿAlī said to her nephew, Imām al-Sajjād, “You are showing the…

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DOWNLOAD PDF HERE Question Why does Allāh sometimes use the ʿArabic plural pronoun while referring to Himself while in other instances, He makes use of the singular pronoun? Answer In replying to this question, we first put forth the two below preambles: One: The scholars of theology (ʿāqāīd) – also known is ʿilm al-kalām – have presented various logical proofs to establish the oneness of Allāh . The meaning of Allāh being one is that it is only He who is independent and needless of anyone or anything in existence…

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DOWNLOAD PDF HERE Question Why does Allāh [God] use the masculine pronoun when referring to Himself in the Qur’ān? Why has the masculine pronoun taken precedence over the feminine pronoun? Answer The language of the Qur’ān is ʿArabic and contrary to some languages of the world, ʿArabic makes use of [only] the masculine and feminine pronoun and thus it is natural that if any book is to be written in this language, even if it is a book from the Divine, it must follow the rules of that language and…

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DOWNLOAD PDF HERE Question What is the exegesis of verse 275 of Sūrah al-Baqarah in which the term “deranged lunatic” has been used, as God has stated: Those who exact usury will not stand but like one deranged by the Devil’s touch. That is because they say, ‘Trade is just like usury.’ While God has allowed trade and forbidden usury. Whoever, on receiving advice from his Lord, relinquishes [usury], shall keep [the gains of] what is past, and his matter shall rest with God. As for those who resume, they…

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DOWNLOAD PDF HERE Question Did Satan have a child who was martyred in the Battle of Ṣiffīn fighting alongside the Commander of the Faithful ʿAlī? If he did, please explain this event, and cite the textual sources from where the narration comes from. Answer From some of the traditions (aḥādīth) we come to the conclusion that a majority of the Devils from among the Jinn are actually the biological children of Iblīs; and from those children of his – only one of them accepted true faith (in religion) and that…

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