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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

162 Questions

Are the descriptions of the Imams (as) in Hadiths, such as being referred to as 'the ears of Allah (swt)', among others, to be understood figuratively or literally?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

We believe that Allah The Exalted does not have a physical shape and He is not limited to a place. Allah SWT said in Quran about Himself  ''LAYSA KA MITHLIHI SHAY'E'' Surah 42 Ayah 11, which means nothing at all is similar to Allah SWT. Allah SWT does not have any objective existence, but he is everywhere, and he mentioned that the most humble of his servants hear on His behalf, and they serve Him and implement His orders. '' Ears'' of Allah SWT are those most pious servants who hear on behalf of Allah. ''Eyes'' of Allah SWT are the most humble servants who Seefor the sake of Allah SWT. ''Hands'' of Allah SWT are those most humble servants who implement the orders of Allah SWT using their hands for the sake of Allah. So there is no Literal meaning in these words at all, but these words should be understood as part of understanding the Arabic language, which uses the words as can be understood as the the literal word.

Wassalam 
Is there any evidence from the Masoomeen (as) that advises to disregard any Hadith that contradicts the teachings of the Quran by discarding it?
Amina Inloes

It is narrated that Imam al-Sadiq (A) said, "Any Hadith that is in accordance with the Book of Allah then take it, and what is contrary to the Book of Allah then reject it." 
Are the narrations in Nahj Al Fasahah authentic that state that, in the absence of women, God would be properly worshipped and all men would go to heaven? If so, what is the context behind these narrations?
Amina Inloes

The Qur'an does not express these negative ideas about women. Also, the Qur'an makes everyone responsible for their own acts (that is, men cannot blame women for their actions). It also conflicts the kind and respectful way that the Prophet (S) treated his womenfolk and female sahabah. Therefore, narrations which appear to contradict the Qur'an and Sunnah can be set aside.

This particular hadith is not in any strong source books - it appears to have been taken from Jami' al-Saghir by al-Suyuti (15th century, Egyptian, Sunni) - so it can be set aside as not having any evidence to support it as an authentic statement of the Prophet (S). 

As for where it came from, possibly someone said it as a reflection of the age-old tensions between men and women in life and it became attributed to the Prophet (S). These types of negative views about women and religion existed for a long time before Islam and could have come from there. 

 
How can I locate a specific Hadith from a Sunni book, considering the various editions, if the reference provided, such as Tirmidhi volume 2 page 308, does not contain the intended hadith?
Amina Inloes

You could post it here and see if someone can locate it (that is, assuming it exists - some references are incorrect).