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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

32 Questions

Could you please define what the term Ziyarat means?
Amina Inloes

It is an Arabic word for "visiting". In religious terms, it is used for visiting the final resting place of a sacred personality such as one of the prophets or twelve Imams. It can also be used to refer to ritual texts recited at these places to send greetings and blessings upon them, or which are recited at certain times of the year from afar for the same reason. 
Are there any narrations that talk about the reward of making Ziyara to the shrines of Imam al-Hadi and Imam Hassan al-Askari in Samarra?
Amina Inloes

I am not personally aware of narrations specifically encouraging the visiting of those sites. (Someone may correct me!) However, there are ziyarat texts narrated for them. 

However, there are narrations encouraging the visiting of all of the Imams, which would include them, and it is good to go and pay respects as a gesture of loyalty and to help maintain a tie with the history and people who once walked there and were laid to rest there. Some people might also want to go as a form of resistance to the oppression that Shi'a face today and to make a stand to show that we will not be afraid to go, and that is also good. 

That being said, there are a lot of narrations emphasizing visiting other places, such as Mecca, Medina, Karbala, Najaf, and Mashhad, so I would personally place the emphasis on visiting those places first. 
What advice and guidance is there for a mother going for ziyarat to Iraq with a child that is being breastfed?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

It truly is a blessed opportunity for not only the mother, but the infant as well, to be brought to the holy sanctuaries of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). Nurturing a child the love of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) by taking them to holy Shrines, and from such a young age, engraves faith and belief in their hearts. 

Therefore, the mother should seize the opportunity of giving her baby the most exposure to the holy Shrines, and benefiting from that spiritual atmosphere. 

That being said, like everywhere else one travels, certain precautions must be taken. 

Try to select a date where the weather in Iraq is moderate. Not too hot, and not too cold. Spring, or Autumn, for example. Keep in mind that electricity is still a problem there. 

Pack basic essentials for the baby's needs, from clothes to nappies. A compact pram would also be useful. Bring child medicine, like panadol, nappy rash, etc, and also medication for diarrhea. 

Try to choose quiet times when you go for the Ziyarah, and avoid big crowds. Keep an eye on you child, and try not to be conspicuous. For your own protection, and for your baby's protection, pay sadaqah regularly, and keep a hirz on your baby. 

It would be very useful to travel with people who would assist you throughout the trip. Try not to rely on others, but at times you will need help with certain things, and maybe just a little rest.    

Continue to remind yourself that you wish to gain proximate benefit from Ziyarah, and that your intention is purely for Allah ta'ala. Also, remember that your reward is based on the amount of difficulty you go through, so everything you endure will be taken into consideration in the eye of the Almighty.

And please keep us in your duas.
What are the signs that can give us satisfaction that our ziyarat to Imam Hussain (as) and other such places are accepted?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is the same situation when you perform Hajj or Umra and want to know whether it was accepted or not. Though no one can definitely claim that his Ziyarat has been accepted but there are some signs which can have some meaning. Accepted worship make us feel improvement in the state of our heart in loving, remembering and obeying Allah. If we feel more humble and more obedient to Allah (SWT), the Prophet (SAWA)and Ahlul Bat (AS) then it is a good sign.

Another sign of acceptance is feeling more willing to serve the Nobel cause of Ahlul Bayt (AS) and scarify in their way.

Another sign of acceptance is feeling more love and respect to all believers especially those who performed Ziyarat or wish to perform it.

Wassalam.