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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

122 Questions

Is it true that Christians are descendants of Isaac and Muslims of Ishmael?
Amina Inloes

Christians and Muslims come from many ethnic and racial backgrounds. The only person they are all descended from is Adam.

At some point in history, the idea became popular that Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, and Jews are descendants of Isaac. Obviously not all Arabs are really descendants of Ishmael and it seems questionable for all Jews too, so it shouldn't be interpreted as a literal fact. Anyway, most Muslims are not Arabs so this does not factor into questions of descent. 

There are texts identifying the Prophet Muhammad as a descendant of Ishmael so this may be another way of associating Islam with Ishmael. Also Muslims tend to say that Ishmael was the son of Abraham whom God asked him to sacrifice (I sense another complicated question coming...) whereas Christians and Jews say it was Isaac. So, again, one can say there is a sort of figurative association or inclination towards each.

Of course, both Isaac and Ishmael are respected in the Islamic tradition and in the Qur'an.
When there is a choice of buying products made by Muslims and non-Muslims, is it obligatory to buy the products made by Muslims?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is a moral responsibility to support and give benefit to your brother in Islam rather than to an outsider. This does not mean that it is not allowed to buy from non Muslims when there is similar product made by Muslim, but it is a matter of moral reasonability towards our Ummah.

Wassalam.
What are the most clear benefits that all Muslims, regardless of school of thought, enjoy till today on account of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS)?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) gave the Muslim Ummah the biggest shock which saved the Ummah from collapse when the rulers (Yazeed and his gangsters) were totally away from the teachings of Islam. Muslim masses could not accept the crime of the killing of the grand son of the Prophet along with his family members including children and imprisonment of the family of the Prophet (SAWA). This greatest shock brought back the sense to the Ummah and was the reason behind hundreds of revolts against tyrant rulers during centuries of the history of Muslims. Imam Husain's martyrdom declared the tyrant rulers as deviants and made the Muslim masses careful when dealing with them.

The martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) became the guide to his noble value which calls Muslims to be real Muslims and join good and avoid evil. Thousands of scholars, writers, poets were inspired by Imam Husain's martyrdom.

Millions of Muslims all over the world and all over the generations, observe the martyrdom of Imam Husain every year and get spiritually charged to be better Muslims.

Imam Husain's martyrdom has inspired many non Muslims and made them realize the great teachings of justice for which Imam Husain (AS) has sacrificed.

The list of the benefits from Imam Husain' martyrdom will be very long and books can be written on it, but to cut it very short, we need to remember the Prophetic Hadeeth which stated: Husian is from me, and I am from Husain. How the grand father is from his grand son? In fact, he religion of Islam which was sent through the Prophe Muhammad (SAWA), was revived and made everlasting because of Imam Husain (AS).

Reviving Islam is the great benefit not only for all Muslims but for all mankind.

Wassalam.
How can we overcome a lack of attachment to Islamic duties, such as prayers, that has come about because we have observed unkind and abusive Muslims being very observant about those duties?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

1. We have to avoid mixing between Islam being the religion from Allah
(SWT) to guide everyone to the right path, and the practices of some
the Muslims. If some Muslims misbehave that does not mean that their
misbehaviour is because of their practicing religion, and we can never
blame Islam for the misbehaviour and misconduct or corruption of any
Muslim. The followers of all the prophets have misbehaved but that
does not mean that the prophets and their teachings were wrong. Those
who misbehave do not represent religion but represent themselves and
their own short comings. If you come across Muslims who offer Salaat
but cheats or deceives when dealing with others, you should know that
they are not implementing the teachings of Islam which is to avoid every
evil act and make the person a pious human being. If we find a Hijabi
Muslim female misbehaving in any way we can never blame Hijab for her
misbehaviour.

2. The attachment to our Islamic duties comes as a result of our commitment to our  
responsibility and need to be always in proper contact with our
creator Allah (SWT).

3. Worshipping Allah (SWT) is not a favor that we
do to Him but it is in fact a favor from Him upon us to allow us to
talk to Him and supplicate. Those who understand some of the reality
of the relationship between us and our creator feel the essential need
for it like the essential need which we have for breathing oxygen
without which our life will end i.e. the life of our body which
requires oxygen. Likewise the life of our heart, mind and soul
essentially requires worshipping Allah (SWT) in the way that He guided
us.

4. The key for more attachment to worship is thinking, pondering and
reflecting to understand the great benefit of the worship Allah (SWT)
and the essential need that we have for it .

The Hadith says : Worship Allah (SWT) as if you see Him and as you
don’t see Him, be sure that He sees you.

5. It is good repeat Istighfaar (Astaghfirullah Rabbi Wa Atoobo
Elaih) because it wipes away the dirt from the heart.  It is also
good to repeat Ya Ghafooro, Ya Wadoud and also Ya Arhamar Rahemeen 7
times after Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

6. Night prayer (Salaat al Layl or Namaz-e- Shab) has a great effect in
purifying the heart and enlightening it and it is the most important
recommended prayers in Islam

7. For more light in the heart it is very useful to repeat Salawat
(Allahumma Salli Alaa Muhammad Wa Aali Muhammad) at least 100
times daily.

Wassalaam.