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

Is the narration in Bihar al-Anwar volume 19, page 271, where the Prophet allegedly referred to some well-known Companions as the brothers of the earlier prophets, considered weak? If not, what is its actual meaning?
Amina Inloes

After transcribing this narration (in which the Prophet praises certain historical personalities as brethren of the ancient prophets) on volume 19, pp. 271-272 of Bihar al-Anwar, 'Allamah al-Majlisi expresses a very dim view of its authenticity and describes it as having "signs of fabrication". Apparently, he included it to discuss it, not to preach that it is correct. 

If one's goal is to determine Shi'i belief, one can note that this narration arises through Sunni narrators, including some who were identified as fabricators of hadith, and so it is not the correct sort of narration to look at to determine what Shi'is believe. 

Insofar as this is a very specific question, one assumes that it was mentioned on some sort of polemical website (like a website aiming to prove Shi'ism is wrong), and one wonders what the point is. Was the author of that material aiming to prove Shi'ism is wrong because 'Allamah al-Majlisi included a narration saying that the Prophet praised this or that person? Obviously, the view espoused in this narration is not a normal Shi'i belief, and there are ample parts of Bihar al-Anwar to demonstrate that. So it seems that whatever might have been calling attention this is taking it out of context, and this is disingenous. 
Is it true that Ayatollah Muhammad Asif Mohseni has written in his book "Mashra'at Bihar al-Anwar" that the people cannot benefit from Imam Mehdi (ajtf) in religious matters during his occultation and that those who believe in such things are wrong?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

No. Nothing like that has been written by Ayatullah Shaikh Aasif Mohsini. It is an anti Shia propaganda claiming things which were never stated by him or any any other Shia Aalim.

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.