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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

34 Questions

Did Imam Hussain (AS) arrive in Karbala on the first or second day of Muharram?
Zaid Alsalami

Salam alaikum, 

The second of Muharram. Please watch this clip:
Is it true that Shia Muslims consider non-Muslims as impure? If that is the case, what about those non-Muslims such as Hindus and Sikhs who participate in Muharram congregations and give food to participants?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Allah, The Glorious says in Quran (9:28) : إنّما المشركون نَجَس INNAMA ALMUSHRIKOON NAJAS. Verily the polytheists are impure. This a Quranic fact which all Muslims should follow.

Those who participate in Muharram believe and love Imam Husain (AS) being a divine leader of Truth, which means that they are not really polytheists even if their families are been classified as non Muslims. Their noble act in commemorating Imam Husain (AS)'s martyrdom reflects their undeclared faith in his values.

Allah Knows what is in the hearts and the acts usually reflect what is in the heart. That is why we take the acts who love Imam Hussain (AS) as an indication of their faith in him and his faith which is Tawheed.

Wassalam.
Is it acceptable to go swimming during the month of Muharram?
Seyed Ali Shobayri

Bismillah, 

Asalamu Alaykom, 

This is allowed unless doing so would be considered as a type of disrespect or mocking for Muharram which is highly unlikely. Also provided that one doesn't swim somewhere where the environment could be haram 

May Allah swt grant you success 
Is it prohibited to eat meat during Muharram?
Amina Inloes

It is not prohibited, but, traditionally, some people have chosen not to eat meat in the hope that it makes the heart softer towards the tragedy of Imam Husain (A), or as a gesture of abstinence for mourning, or because Imam Husain (A) was slaughtered similar to how an animals is slaughtered, or some other reasons. 

Anyway I am not aware of the origin of this practice, but it is a personal choice whether one eats meat or does not eat meat.

In practice, many of the traditional foods distributed in some places during the month of Muharram (such as the stews made in big pots) contain meat.