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

How should we understand non-Muslims coming for the pilgrimage to Karbala and showing respect to Imam Hussain (AS), despite their denial of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his household in their own beliefs?
Amina Inloes

Allah is generous and the Prophet (S) was generous and did not turn away people who asked for assistance, regardless of their religion. It is natural that some people will come to the holy sites to pay respects or seek blessings, even if they are not Muslim.

It is good to respect their decision, as long as they are respectful to the sanctity of  the holy sites and respect the rites that are carried out at these sites (e.g. they are not behaving like some tourists, acting inappropriately, or causing problems).
What is the practice of Tawerej and how authentic is it?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There is a place in Iraq called Tawereej طويريج which is about 20 Kilometers from the holy city of Karbala. A prominent Aalim Sayyed Salih Al-Qazwini used to come with many believers to mourn the tragedy of Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram (Aashura day) to the shrine of Imam Husain (AS). This practice is be done by millions of believers every year to express their readiness to support Imam Husain (AS).

'It is a form of many forms to express allegiance to Imam Hussain (AS) by those mourners who are in Karbala.

Wassalam.
What is the meaning behind the Hadith mentioned in Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 98, Ch. 14, Hadith 11, that says visiting Imam Husain's grave is equivalent to visiting Allah on His Arsh?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The Arsh is The Knowledge which is carried by eight most humble servants of Allah; Noah, Ebraheem, Musa, Easa, Muhammad, Ali, Hasan and Husain. The eight who carry the Arsh (Knowdge) are mentioned in Quran, Sura 69, verse 17 and explained in authentic narration from Muhammad ibn Muslim from Imam Al-Baqir (AS) in Kanz Al-Fawaa'id quoted by Biharul Anwaar V.24, P. 90 and V.55, P.35 and in Tafseer Al-Borhani , V. 4 , P. 377.

Visiting the shrine of Imam Husain (AS) is like visiting the Arsh of Allah (Eight greatest servants of Allah who carry the Arsh).

This shows the great importance of visiting Imam Husain (AS).

Wassalam.
What is the meaning behind the Hadith mentioned in Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 98, Ch. 14, Hadith 11, that says visiting Imam Husain's grave is equivalent to visiting Allah on His Arsh?
Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb

What reward does the Almighty bestow upon Imam Hussain that is both befitting to his sufferings and reflects the justice, generosity, and mercy of God? Based on this, God has granted him many rewards, one of which is the honor and grandeur in this world to the extent that encourages and motivates all people to visit the sacred shrine of Imam Hussain and promises great rewards to the visitors. One of these divine promises is a hadith that Sheikh Mufid and others have repeatedly narrated. Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq said: "... And whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussain on the day of Ashura is as if meeting God on His throne." Of course, this is not strange, as we have similar narrations regarding visiting the Prophet's grave as well. Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq said: "Whoever visits the Messenger of God is as if meeting God on His throne." Imam Ridā said about the significance of visiting God: Since visiting Him is not possible, God has equated visiting the Prophet as visiting Himself. It should be noted that visiting Imam Hussain keeps alive the lofty goals of that noble Imam, which is indeed to safeguard the religion of God and the commandments of the Quran.