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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

163 Questions

Is there a narration in which Imam Ali (a) was asked about his greatest Fadhail and he referred to verse 13:43, confirming his knowledge of the Book?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes. It is narrated in Al-Ehtijaaj by al-Tabarsi that Ameerul Momineen Ali (AS) was asked about best tribute for him, he replied by reciting the verse 13:43.

 " الاحجتاج " للطبرسي سأل رجل عليّ بن أبي طالب (عليه السّلام) عن أفضل منقبة له ، فقرأ الآية ، وقال : « إيّانا عنى بمَن عنده علم الكتاب » .

Wassalam.
A Sunni brother asked me about a discussion by the author of Bihar al-Anwar, in volume 26 page 82, where he suggests it is very difficult for our intellect to distinguish between Nubuwwah and Imamah. Can you confirm and explain further?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There is no doubt that Nubuwwah is only for the prophets, and it was ended by the Last Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) as it is stated in Quran (Sura Al-Ahzab, verse 40) and the very clear and authentic Hadeeth : O Ali, you are from me like Haroun was from Musa, but there is prophet after me. (Saheeh Muslim, Hadeeth 2404), Saheeh Al-Bukhari , Hadeeth 225).

All the twelve Imams from Ahlul Bayt (AS) who are the real successors of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) are having the great status from his great status (A Progeny who are from him. Sura 3, verse 34) but not prophets at all. 

We are able to distinguish between Nubuwwah and Imamah, although both of them are from Allah (SWT) and we are absolutely ordered to obey the Infallible Imams as we are been ordered to obey the Prophet (SAWA) because of the fact that every order from the Ibfallible Imams is from the Prophet (SAWA) which is from Allah (SWT).

'We respect our pious Ulama but never claim infallibility to any Aalim.

Wassalam.
What is the Shi'i view on this Hadith in Bukhari 4447 as it seems to imply that Hazrat Ali (as) did not know that Prophet (s) had chosen him as a successor?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

This narration is not authentic according to the basics of Ilm Al-Rijaal. It is from Abdullah ibn Ka'b ibn Malik. Ka'b ibn Malik was one of the three men who disobeyed the Prophet (SAWA) and did not join the army of the Muslims and were been mentioned in Quran (Al-Tawbah, verse 118). Such weak narrations are mentioned the book of Bukhari to justify the claims of Saqeefah group who have taken away the right of Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS).

'Wassalam.
Are there any Hadiths regarding the role of the Prophet (s) and Imams (a) as helpers of the believers? Or are the titles such as 'Mushkil Kusha' given by people based on the permissibility of Tawassul?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Quranic verses are clear that the Prophet (SAWA) helps the believers and he is very sympathetic on them, and he is the source of blessings on the believers.

'The Infallible Imams are the real successors of the Prophet (SAWA) and did and still do the same to help the believers. They are in fact the keys to open the gates of mercy for the believers and we have many authentic narrations stating that.

'Wassalam.