Qur'an

The Quran (القرآن‎, romanized: al-Qurʼān, literally meaning "the recitation"), also romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe to be a revelation from God (Allah). It is widely regarded as the finest work in classical Arabic literature. The Quran is divided into chapters (Arabic: سورة sūrah, plural سور suwar), which are subdivided into verses (Arabic: آية āyah, plural آيات āyāt).

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Tahrif . Qur'an

Is a person who believes that there was Tahrif in the Quran considered a disbeliever?

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 3 years ago

Tahrif in Quran is impossible and it is against our Shia faith.
'If a person claims Tahrif, we need to ask him for authentic evidence of his claim then reply him with our authentic evidence from Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

134010

Universe . Qur'an

The Quran does not seem to talk about the origin of our universe explicitly, so should I accept the big bang theory as true? Did our Imams (a) give any information about this topic?

Hassanain Govani, Hassanain Govani is based in Sweden and has an MA in History of Religion from Uppsala University and an MA in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College of London, and has also studied Arabic in... Answer updated 3 years ago

Salaamun Alaykum

As you have quite correctly pointed out, the primary emphasize of the Qur'anic cosmology is to identify the creative agent behind it, not the particulars of creation itself. As such, very few specifics are mentioned about the process itself. (Although a few details have been mentioned, these are not sufficient to provide an exhaustive creation story.)

The big bang theory is a scientific hypothesis that was originally theorized by a Catholic priest who also was a scientist. Before this theory, many scientist subscribed to the view that the universe was eternal. I point this out to demonstrate that science is constantly evolving.

The big bang theory is indeed supported by many observations. If you find that the evidence/observations support the hypothesis, then you do not need permission from someone else to accept it as an explanation for how our universe came about. In the same manner, if someone is not convinced by the evidence, then no matter what any authority says, they will not accept it.

From the Quranic perspective, what is important is that you recognize God as the creator of everything.

I would, however, suggest phrasing this differently. If the evidence convinces you, I would suggest saying that "I accept the big bang theory as the most convincing explanation of the evidence".

And God knows best

In need of your prayers

Hassanain

138347

Qur'an . Surah

Is it better to recite the Quran from beginning to the end rather than repeating certain Surahs daily or every week?

Any way of reciting Quran is great. No doubt, reciting the whole Quran has its own importance.

Wassalam.

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Imamah . Qur'an

Is it possible to find the belief in 12 Imams and the coming of the Mehdi in the Quran without referring to other sources?

There are many verses in Quran about Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) despite the fact that asking about evidence from Quran only with out the Prophet is not the proper way which we should take because it can mean under estimating the authority of the Prophet and even the Quranic order to take whatever the Messenger says. (Sura Al-Hashr, Verse 7). These are some Quranic verses about Imam Al-Mahdi (AS) e.g.

1. Sura Al-Anbiyaa', verse 105.

2. Sura Al-Qasas, verse 5.

3. Sura Al-Noor, verse 55.

4. Sura Al-Tawbah, verse 33.

5. Sura Al-Saff, verse 9.

6. Sura Al-Israr', verse 81.

7. Sura Al-Anfaal, verse 7 and 8.

and many other Verse.

Wassalam.

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Earth . Qur'an

Does the Quran state anywhere that the Earth is flat? Is there any verse that can be construed in such a way and how should one respond to critics?

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 3 years ago

Good question - here is a previous response to it:

https://www.al-islam.org/ask/does-the-quran-say-anything-to-suggest-that...

If you have any further enquiries, feel free to ask!

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Sunni-Shi'a . Turbah . Prostration (sujud) . Salah (Prayers) . Qur'an

Why do the Shia use Turba for prostration during prayers? Is there any Quranic evidence for it?

Allah Has clearly ordered us in Quran ( Sura 59, Verse 7) to follow the Prophet (SAWA) , and the Prophet (SAWA) never prostrated on carpet but only on the clay or earth and said ( Earth was made for me as a place of prostration and purification) جُعِلَت ليَ الأرضُ مسجدا وَطَهررا)

We Shia, prostrate on the clay (Turba) simply because we follow the Prophet (SAWA).

Wassalam.

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Earth . Qur'an

How is it that the creation of the Earth is mentioned as 4 days in the Quran in 41:10, but the creation of the cosmos was 2 days as mentioned in 41:12?

Short answer:

The things that are created in these two ayat are different. 41:10-11 refer to the creation of the earth (ard) and the things upon it, which is done in 4 days, whereas 41:12 refers to the creation of the seven heavens (samawat), which is done in 2 days. So altogether they add up to 6 days.

There are also other ways these ayat are understood, beyond a literal interpretation of "days".

Long answer:

"Day" is usually taken to refer to a time period in general, rather than a "day" in the sense of one rotation of the earth since our measurements of time rest on the physical world, and there was no such thing as an earth-day before the creation of the earth and sun. That said, a narration ascribed to Imam al-Baqir (A), in response to an enquiry about how a "day" could be meaningful before creation, says that time is also measured in an area of existence near Allah, and therefore is not only reliant on the physical world.

Some people maintain that the expression "two days" (or "two periods") refers to spiritual and physical aspects of creation, or that "days" refers to distinctly different stages of creation, rather than timespans.

Some people also understand "four days" with respect to the earth to refer to the four seasons, insofar as they are equal in length and relate to sustenance.

For instance, in Tafsir al-Qummi, "two days" is explained as "the beginning of Creation and its end", and "four days" is explained as "the four times when Allah brings out the world's means of sustenance... spring, summer, autumn, and winter."

If one is taking a numerical approach to "days", however, Qur'an 41:10-41:12 outline the creation of our world as follows:

41:10 - the earth (ard) in 2 days
41:11 - mountains, sustenance, and blessing in 4 days
41:12 - the heavens (samawat) in 2 days

Elsewhere, the Qur'an mentions that the world was created in 6 days.

From this, it can be understood that the 4 days in 41:11 include the 2 days mentioned in 41:10. That is, the earth and its features were, altogether, created in 4 days. Then, the heavens were created in 2 days. Altogether, these sum up as 6 days - or, rather, spans of time.

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Qur'an . Qur'an Compilation . Imam Ali b. Abi Talib . `Uthman b. `Affan

What were the differences, if any, between the Quran compiled by Imam Ali and Uthman? If there were differences how do we know what we have today is unaltered?

Insofar as we do not physically have the Qur'anic manuscript compiled by Imam 'Ali, it is not possible to answer this question with the certainty that comes from seeing things with one's own eyes. Rather, it is necessary to rely on historical reports, and the validity of historical reports can be debated.

Anyway, one difference is that it is reported that Imam 'Ali added commentary and explanations to the codex that he compiled, including an explanation of when/why the ayat were revealed (asbab al-nuzul) and also a broader explanation of the ayat.

It is also reported that Imam 'Ali's manuscript was arranged chronologically, in order of the date of revelation, whereas the 'Uthmanic codex is not arranged chronologically.

In any case, we have been told by the Imams to use the codex that we have today as it is, so it is good to have faith that this is what we are meant to be using.

Allah knows best.

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Qira'at . Qur'an

With regards to the seven Qira'at of the Quran which reading was the Quran actually revealed in?

The Qira'ah which is used by the general Muslim Ummah following the Prophet (SAWA) and his holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) is known as the Qura'ah of Hafs fromAssim حفص عن عاصم.

It is narrated from Imam Al-Sadiq (A.S.): (The Qur’an is one, it was revealed from One, but the difference comes from the narrators) (Al-Kafi 2: 630).
Despite having many ways of reciting because of different accents and areas, the correct reading is the well-known reading among Muslims that the nation received with acceptance.
The well-known and famous recitation among Muslims is the recitation of Assim with the narration of Hafs.
And Assim had taken it from Abi Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami on the authority of Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (peace be upon him) and he used to offer his reading to Zir bin Hubaish on the authority of Ibn Masoud from Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS).
It is well known that the imams (peace be upon them) commanded us to recite as people recite.

Wassalam.

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Soul . Qur'an . God (Allah) . Meaning

When the Quran speaks of Allah (swt) breathing into Adam (a) of His spirit what does it mean? Is the soul a creation of God or something from God? Is there a distinction?

Soul is created by Allah and gifted to us as a bounty from Him on us. Soul is never part from Allah (SWT). Nothing at all can be like Allah or part from Him.

Wassalam.

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Prophets . Qur'an . Imamah . Prophet Muhammad

In the Quran Allah calls Prophet Mohammed last of Prophets. Why doesn’t He also say last of Messengers? If we assume this by default because he was a Messenger too then wasn’t he also an Imam, while the Imamate did not end?

Last of the Prophets ia the proper word for the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) not last of messengers because all the messengers were Prophets as well, and no Prophet will be sent after Muhammad (SAWA). If he was called last of the messengers, that will leave a chance to liars to claim prophet hood after him. Every messenger is a Prophet but not every Prophet is a messenger, that is why, no Prophet means no Prophet or messenger will come after Muhammad (SAWA).

He was the leader of all the human beings including the Prophets and messengers.Imamate after him is for his successors who are not Prophets as he said: No Prophet after me.

Wassalam.

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Meaning . Arabic . Language . Qur'an

What is the difference of meaning between Quranic words ذوالقربیٰ and فی القربیٰ? Please give reference of meaning according to any authentic dictionary of the Arabic language.

ذو القربى are the relatives themselves, while في القربى means spending on the relatives and treating them.

Wassalam.

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