1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

29 Questions

Is it permissible to play video games or watch movies in which there are fictional gods or actions of worship?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

No it is not permissible to watch games of videos promoting polytheism like fictional gods or worshiping other than Allah, The Exalted.

Such games are dangerously harmful in making the people accept polytheism and normalise major sins.

Wassalam.
As Shia Muslims, how can we respond if someone accuses us of worshipping Imams or the dead? Are there any authentic hadiths or Quranic verses we can present to counter this claim?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

False allegations ere always put on the prophets and their followers by the enemies of the truth, but it did not harm but the liars. We are facing similar false allegations from our enemies. We never worship any one but Allah and our respecting the Proohers and the Infallible Imams can never mean worshiping them as we believe that all the proohers and the Infallible Imams are the best servants and worshipers of Allah.

Respecting and obeying the Prophet (SAWA) is obligatory on every Muslim as Allah Says in Quran (Tell them : If you really love Allah, then follow me) (Sura 3, Verse 31)

Qyran is teaching us to go to the Prophet to seek forgiveness (Sura Annisam verse 64).

Wassalam.( 
I have seen multiple translations of La Ilaha Illa Allah, with some saying 'nothing worthy of worship' and others saying 'no god'. What is the correct translation?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

(No God but Allah) might be a good translation.

Wassalam.
Is drawing one's own blood in grief for Imam Hussain (a) considered an act of worship? If yes, what is the reasoning and justification behind it?
Amina Inloes

If someone does this sincerely and with the intent of it being a gesture of taqwa (reverence towards Allah), love of Imam Husayn (A), respect for Imam Husayn  (A), respect for Islam, or something similar, it could be considered an act of worship due to their intention.

It would be similar to other acts of personal piety that vary from person to person, or culture to culture. For instance, many Shia wear black out of respect for Imam Husayn, but it is not a requirement. Rather, it is a gesture of respect, and a way of keeping the memory of Imam Husayn (A) alive in society. 

However, this is different from required acts of worship like salat which have a formal intention (niyyah) of worship. And it does not substitute for the required acts of worship such as salat.  

Some people use obscure stories such as "Zaynab hit her head on the camel litter or a pole" to justify self-flagellation. This is counterproductive and unnecessary. First, these stories are usually historically unsubstantiated. And, second, it is unnecessary, since we are speaking about acts that are personal and optional, not religiously required. 

Allah weighs actions according to intentions and what is in our hearts, and knows best what is accepted. We will see the reality of our deeds in the next world.