Sunni-Shi'a

184882

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Sunni Muslims perform an obligatory Tawaf after Hajj and Umra , in the place of Tawaf-un-Nisa, but they call it Tawaf-ul-Widaa'. 
'Performing Tawaf-un-Nisa on behalf on someone who is unable to perform it, needs his request so that it should be done on his request. The person should be : 1. Unable to perform the worship himself for any valid reason. 2. Requesting someone to perform the worship on his behalf, for the sake of Allah (SWT).

Wassalam.

184887

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 1 year ago

Yes

Everyone will recognize the Imams after death.

183786

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 1 year ago

The answer to this will vary based on a person's interests, circumstances, knowledge of Islam/Shi'ism, and, possibly, what they are converting from (for instance, were they a Sunni, are they coming from another religion, etc.). 

In general, it is good to explore the variety of what Shi'ism and the Shi'i community has to offer - for instance, attending different Shi'i mosques, and listening to lectures (online or in person). One of the advantages of being a convert is that you can usually experience various cultural interpretations of Shi'ism rather than being bound to one. (This is sometimes different if someone marries into the faith, in which case sometimes they are expected to be bound to their spouse's culture.)

While you are motivated, it is good to learn what you can; at the same time, there is a wisdom in not overdoing it, so that you do not get burnout. 

It is good to recite the major recommended prayers, such as Du'a Kumayl, once a week, either individually or in a group, and to contemplate them.

If possible, it is good to visit one or more of the shrines of the Imams (like Imam Ali, Imam Husayn, or Imam Reza), or Sayyida Zaynab in Syria or Fatima Masumah in Qom. 

It is good to have friendship with genuine mu'mineen (people of sincere faith) and  to spend time together in person (not only digitally). 

You should participate in the major commemorations with other Shi'is, like the first 10 days of Muharram, Ashura, and Laylat al-Qadr. Of course, it is good to attend other commemorations as well, but those are particularly valuable. If you have to travel to attend commemorations because there are none near you, then you should travel to do so, if possible. 

Sometimes, the social dynamics among Shi'is are different than the social dynamics among Sunnis, and, if coming from Sunnism, this can be worth reflecting on. Also, the worldview among Shi'is tends to be different than in Sunnism, in ways which you can discover for yourself, if that is your situation. 

It may be worthwhile to spend some time (which may be years) considering what it means for you to be Shi'i. For some people, this involves considering what it means regarding their beliefs about the Prophet and Imams, and how they interact with them spiritually. For some people, this may involve a political or activist stance (whereas still others may not see politics as an essential part of their faith). For some people, this involves a heavy interest in jurisprudence.

If you are new to Islam, it is good to become familiar with the Qur'an. It is good to spend some time every day, even just a little time, reading it and thinking about it. Of course, if you listen to Shi'i lectures, you will also become more familiar with the Qur'an.  

It is good to read some narrations (hadith) related in Shi'i books. A good general collection to start with is The Scale of Wisdom: A Compendium of Shi'i Hadith (while keeping in mind that some of this book is related from Sunni sources; a specialist can help you if you have any questions). 

If you are new to Shi'i ritual practice, such as how to say salat (daily prayers), you can find some introductory books on this website, as well as videos on YouTube.

If you do not speak a major heritage language used by Shi'is (such as Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu), it is worth learning one - although there is more English-language Shi'i expression, a lot of Shi'i expression is done in heritage languages, and so it will allow you to have a deeper experience. Of course, Arabic is always important for Qur'an and hadith. 

Also, keep in mind that every community has honest and dishonest people, sincere and insincere people, selfless and self-serving people, etc. Muslims also vary in how much they adhere to Islamic ideals and teachings. While any person who misbehaves is not a true Shi'i, nonetheless, one finds a variety of people among Shi'is, the same as everywhere else. So, while valuing your true friends, be sure to use wisdom and common sense when dealing with other people (especially in matters relating to finances, visas, or marriage), and if something seems wrong, stay alert to it.

(I am mentioning this because sometimes when people convert to Islam, they have an idealized view of Muslims, and while many Muslims have good ethics, exceptions apply.)

That is a lot - you do not need to do it all at once - but they are things you can look into now or over time. 

Best wishes on your journey!

184842

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

All the knowledge of the  unseen is with Allah (SWT) only as we read in Quran : Say: None in the skies and earth knows all the unseen but Allah) Sura An-Naml, verse 65. Allah (SWT) Grants some of the knowledge of the Unseen to whom He Wants from His most humble servants like the prophets and infallible Imams. That gift of knowing the unseen is according to The Wisdom of Allah and it is never like the Knowledge of Allah which covers everything.  Imam Hasan (AS) never committed suicide when he was given the poison. Obviously, he was not aware the it contains a poison.

Wassalam.

183779

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

It is recommended for the followers of Ahlul Bayt (AS) to pray in any Masjid with any Muslim sect. This does not mean to pray like them even if the act is wrong according to authentic evidence, Folding hands in Salah was never done nor approved by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). Maliki Sunni sect do not fold their hands in Salah. None of Sunni Imams claimed that folding hands in Salah is Wajib or Fardh. Authentic evidence says that we should never fold our hands in Salah even when we pray with non Shia Muslims. Taqiyya situation is different when you feel a risk or danger on you, then you can pray like them to save yourself or other believers.

Same situation is regarding Sujood on the carpet which is against the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). In Bukhari, the Hadeeth from the Prophet : Earth was made for me as a place of propstration, and as a place of purification (Tayammum).

Wassalam.

183630

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Bukhari book known as Saheeh al-Bukhari has mentioned in its original editions Alaihis Salam for Ahlul Bayt in many places of his book. Same in many other Sunni books of Hadeeth like Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Abi Assim in Kitab Al-Sunnah, Ibn Battat in Kitab Al-Ebaanah  and Al-Lalakaei in Shah Osool Ahlul Sunnah.

Many promenant Sunni scholars like Shaikh Adnan Ebraheem of Palestine and many other Sunni scholars use Alaihi Assalam for Ahlul Bayt (AS).

'Wassalam.

181874

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

No. Such divorce is invalid and has no value at all.

Divorce has strict conditions including two pious men to witness the declaration of the divorce. No divorce can be for a future date at all.

Wassalam.

182881

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He used to be a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa... Answered 1 year ago

In general the Shia jurisprudential ruling is that a Muslim can marry any other Muslim as long as they are Muslims (except a Naasibi who shows enmity towards Ahlul Bait a.s).

This means that a Shia(male or female) can marry a Sunni, however the condition is that the Shia is able to preserve their Shia belief and be free to practice their Shia belief and not be negatively influenced by their partner. As for a Salafi in general, they have a strong tendency against the Shia in which case things could come to surface during the relationship which could make it difficult for the Shia spouse. 

In a nutshell, due to extreme possibility of perversion from the right path of Ahlul Bait a.s. in such a case for the Shia woman, the well known scholars won't permit such a marriage unless she finds herself so firm in beliefs and knows for sure that she won't change.

182786

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

This is a false allegation fabricated by the enemies of Ahlul Bayt (AS). These four persons were from the most authentic students of Ahlul Bayt (AS).

Wassalam.

182596

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Al-Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib is one of uncles of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) and Ameerul Mo'mineen (AS). We have many narrations praising him. This should be enough for us.

Wassalam.

182070

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 1 year ago

No. 

153088

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 year ago

Predestination is everything in life which is out of our will or control like our creation, our birth place,v our family,our skin color, or height, our eyes color , our body functioning etc. every predestined matter is never part of our our responsibility. Our faith and deeds are our responsibility and every one with be questioned about his faith and deeds. Allah (ASWT) Says in Quran :And stop them, verily they will be questioned. Sura Saffar, verse 24.

Sura 65:3 says that everything created by Allah has a discipline and order. It never says that our deeds are destined or I forced in us. Allah Says in Quran ( We Have guided him ( human being) the way, and he decides to be grateful of disgraceful) Sura Al-Insaan, verse 3.

Wassalam.