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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

17 Questions

Is it permissible to request a painting from someone I know, such as an artwork of Imam Ali raising his hand during Ghadir Khum, or would that be deemed sinful?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Such paintings are never real pictures of the Imam (AS) but just imaginations of the painters. In some cultures like Turkey, Iran, Iraq etc they use such paintings to remember the Imam, while in many other Muslim cultures like in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh etc, they don't use it. I personally don't use such paintings for many reasons including not trusting the details of the paintings and to avoid misunderstandings among Muslims from different cultural backgrounds. Those who use such paintings are not doing a sinful act but trying to remember the Imam (AS) in their own cultural eye.

Wassalam.
Regarding Ghadeer-e-Khum, does the term Maula signify love or friendship as suggested by some Sunni interpretations? What would be an appropriate counterargument?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) made it very clear when he said : For whom so ever I am Maula, Ali is his Maula. Which means all authorities of the Prophet on Muslims are for Ali (AS) by order of Allah (SWT). Can any Muslim claim that love and friendship is the only right of the Prophet (SAWA) without his full authority on us with out following him? Love and friendship with out following is meaningless as Allah Says in Quran (Say: If you really love Allah, then follow me. (Aal Imran ; 31)

No real love with out following the beloved.

Hadeeth al-Ghadeer is very clear prophetic order to all Muslims to obligatory follow Ali (AS) as they are obliged to follow the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA).

Wassalam.
Was Abu Bakr present at the Ghadir Khumm event?
Zaid Alsalami

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, he was there at the event of Ghadir Khumm, and he was with 'Umar as they both congratulated Imam Ali (a.s.) on this auspicious event of Imam Ali becoming the Mawla of every believer.
Is it mentioned in Sunni books that the Prophet SAWA said "Allah is my Mawla" in the Hadith of Ghadeer Khumm?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes. This Hadeeth of Ghadeer has been narrated by biggest number of companions who witnessed it and heard it from the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). It is more than Mutawatir in Sunni books as well as Shia books.

1. Sibt ibn al-Jawazi said in his book Tathkirat al Khawas  (Pg 30 & 31) "All the Ulama of Sirah have unanimously said that the incident of Ghadeer took place when the Prophet (SAWA) returned from Hajjatul Wida when he said in front of 120000 companions : Of whomsoever I am the Maula Ali is the Maula. The full Hadeeth mentions that the Prophet (SAWA) started his sermon "Allah is my Maula and I am the Maula of all Mo'meneen". Then he said am I not more entitled on the Mo'meneen than themselves upon themselves? All said "Yes". He (the Prophet SAWA) : For whomsoever I am his Maula, this Ali is his Maula.

2. Abu Ishaq al Tha'labi mentioned in his Tafseer that when this announcement was spread in different places a man by the name of al Harth ibn al No'man al Fahri came to the Masjid of the Prophet (SAWA) and objected on the announcement of Ghadeer and asked the Prophet (SAWA) : Is it from you or from Allah SWT? The Prophet (SAWA) became angry and his eyes became red and he said : By Allah SWT who is La Ilaha Illahu it his from Allah SWT and not from me.

3. In this Sahih Muslim (Vol 7, Pg 122 & 123) a Hadeeth narrated by Zaid ibn Arqam that the Prophet (SAWA) said in Ghadeer Khum : I am leaving among you two important things ; the first the Book and Allah SWT and my Ahlul Bayt (AS). 

4. Ibn Hajar said : Hadeeth al Ghadeer is definitely authentic and there is no doubt about it. 

5. An Nasai in al Khasa'is narrated from Zaid bin Arqam Hadeeth al-Ghadeer (Pg 39).

6. It was also narrated by al-Mohib al-Tabari in Thakha'ir al-Oqba.

7. Also in ibn al-Maghazili in al-Manaqib (Pg 29).

8. Also al-Muttaqi-al-Hindi in Kanz al-Ommaal (Vol 1 ; Pg 166)

9. Also al-Qurtubi in his Tafseer (Vol 18 ; Pg 287)

10, Also al-Haakim-al-Hasakani in Shawahid-al-Tanzeel (Vol 1 Pg 158)

Many other Sunni books have narrated Hadeeth al-Ghadee with the frase of Allah is my Mawla and I am Mawla of all believers and forwhom soever I am the Mawla, Ali is his Mawla.

Wassalam.