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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

373 Questions

If Maghreb is the beginning of the whole day for Muslims, then would it mean that Fajr is the middle prayer that is mentioned in the Quran?
Amina Inloes

Inisghtful question!

The Qur'an itself does not specify which prayer is the "middle prayer" (salat al-wusta) in Qur'an 2:238.

According to Shi'i hadith (via Imam al-Baqir and Imam al-Sadiq), the "middle prayer" is the noon (zuhr) prayer (and possibly specifically the Friday prayer).

This corresponds with the idea that the sun is in the middle of the sky at this time, and so it is a middle prayer.

Sunni scholars mostly say that it is the 'asr prayer, although some say it is the zuhr prayer, and a few say it is the fajr prayer (as you have suggested). These views are also based on hadith/interpretation of hadith and an interpretation of what is meant by 'middle'.

The Qur'an speaks to us all individually, and I don't think there is any problem if this ayah speaks to different people differently since it is reminding us to focus on our prayers. Some people may need more focus on their fajr prayer (possibly because they are sleepy!), while others may need more focus on their noon/afternoon prayers, because they are busy.

Allah knows best!
The Quran is used to guide people through real-life events. Why did that process stop, especially when today’s world needs guidance just as much? Especially since Imam Mahdi is in occultation, how are we meant to receive guidance today?
Amina Inloes

This is a big question and one that many people may have different answers on.

In my view, we have to have faith that we received what is necessary for us via the Qur'an and hadith, and ethical principles stated in them, and that we are meant to put forward effort to try to deduce the right answers for our time. This is part of our test and struggle as individuals and as a human race.

We still receive spiritual guidance from Imam Mahdi (A) and of course from Allah, even if it is not in the form of texts.  
I found an old Quran, Nahjul Balagha and a few other religious texts in an old cupboard, but they were infested and damaged by termites. I temporarily stopped the infestation with chemicals, but what should I do with the books?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

If you can not repair these holy texts and no one can use them, you can put them in the sea or river or water will.

Wassalam.
What is the response to those who assert that the Quran indicates God granted Israel to the Jews, suggesting we should not oppose the Zionist claim?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

God never granted Palestine to the Jews. Such claim is a false Zionist claim. Zionists are committing crimes against humanity by killing innocent children, men and women which makes it a human responsibility on every human being to oppose such crimes.

Wassalam.