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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

9 Questions

I've always been Shi'a but I could learn more and want to improve my understanding of my religion. What book or articles should I start with?
Zoheir Ali Esmail

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. One book I found really useful and inspiring when I started studying is A commentary on 40 hadith by Ayatullah Khumayni (r), and I still revisit that book and even teach from it now.

I would also recommend going through The Scale of Wisdom to get an idea of what the scriptural sources say on a variety of topics. InshaAllah I will be launching a podcast covering the book with a short commentary in the near future. To find the podcast just search my name or The Scale of Wisdom in any of the regular podcast platforms (such as Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify etc)

May you always be successful.
I've always been Shi'a but I could learn more and want to improve my understanding of my religion. What book or articles should I start with?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It depends on your level of education and knowledge, but it is good to go through some useful Shia websites like al-Islam.org as a start, then pick up some books which you can digest and go ahead step by step.

We need to know more about : Faith with evidence from Quran and authentic Hadeeth, then Jurisprudence especially the day to day issues bt reading the Islamic practical Laws of the Marja' of Taqleed, then Akhlaaq through the life and sayings of the Prophet (SAWA) and his Holy Progeny (AS).

Seeking knowledge goes along all our life and no one can claim that he needs no more knowledge, so keep seeking knowledge continuously with sincere intention to be real servant of Allah (SWT), the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.
Will I receive all the true blessings of hajj if I perform it while my knowledge of the religion is still limited?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Hajj is obligatory immediately when we are able to perform it. Knowledge about basic rules of Hajj and Prayers is must which is simple and can be obtained in short time. Less knowledge about general teachings of Islam  does not mean an excuse to postpone Hajj.

You will get more blessings of Hajj as your intention is more sincere to perform this great worship and submit to and follow the Prophet (SAWA) and his Ahlul Bayt (AS).

The sincere performance of Hajj opens gates for more blessings , wealth and knowledge.

Wassalam.
If I haven't prayed or participated in religion that much, but I haven't done any major sins either, and I still believe in its tenets and do wish to change, how may I still transform my life for the better?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

As you know Islam encourages a positive and healthy spiritual and moral lifestyle, where one of the most important elements of life is building a relationship with our Creator, Almighty God. This can be done by offering a minimum of a few minutes a day and devoting it to praying to the Almighty. 

What God wants from us is not that much, and all the benefit will come back to us. 

Avoiding sin is one side of religion, and indeed an important side, but so is participation. A Muslim must try to practice as much of Islam as possible, furthering his or her spiritual progress. 

Change will occur when you put your mind to feeling God in your practical life. When you surround yourself with Allah ta'ala, you will automatically turn to following His commands. You will feel an inner strength, and this will make your go through the transform that you need. 

Living an Islamic lifestyle will give you the enlightenment that you need as a human being, and it will fulfill your purpose in this dunya.

I would encourage you to read books on Islamic Akhlaq, like certain books written by the late Shaheed Ayatullah Dastghayb.

Wassalam