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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

7 Questions

What is the meaning behind the reference to yellow, black bile, phlegm, and their variations in strength in certain months in Tibb Al Rida, the book attributed to our 8th Imam Raza (as)?
Amina Inloes

This is a reference to the premodern medical theory of the four humours, which dates back to Aristotle. The idea behind this is that an imbalance in the four humours could lead to being unwell or different types of temperament. 

As for variances between the seasons, I think this originates in a couple pre-existing models (which are not necessarily separate); that is to say, the text interacts with the ideas of the time and does not present something new. One is that, in traditional Chinese medicine, there are different recommendations for different times of the year. A somewhat less complex system is found in some countries (for instance, "hot" and "cold" foods), but I suspect it may simply be an idea that spread regionally and that is referenced here. The other is that, in the premodern era, medicine was often tied to astrology, and monthly recommendations can also be seen in this light. 

May Allah always grant you good health!
Can you suggest any books that detail the life of Imam Zadah Jaffar who was the son of Imam Raza or Imam Musa Kazim (a)?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There are many personalities known as Imam Zadeh Jafar in many places in Iran like Yazd, Isfahan, Dizfool, Burojerd, Sanandaj and Hashtgerd.

Wassalam.
Is there any proof from authentic narrations for calling Imam Ali Riza (AS) Ghareebul Ghuraba? What does this title mean?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Ghareeb is an Arabic word which means a stranger. Ghreebul Ghuraba means the the stranger of the strangers.

We have authentic narrations in Kaamil Al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qowlawayh mentioning great reward for visiting Imam Ali Riza (AS) in his far away place في غربته. Which means that he is Ghareeb in the place where he is.

Wassalam.
Were the later Imams of the Ahlulbayt, particularly Imam Reza and Imam Jawad, of darker complexion?
Seyed Ali Shobayri

Bismillah, 
Asalamu Alaykom, 

Yes Imam Sadiq and the imams after him (peace be upon them) would of been from dark complexion as indicated by narrations. 

We even have authentic ahadith which point towards the 12th imam’s mother being dark
أخبرنا أحمد بن محمد بن سعيد ابن عقدة قال حدثنا محمد بن المفضل بن قيس بن رمانة الأشعري و سعدان بن إسحاق بن سعيد و أحمد بن الحسين بن عبد الملك و محمد بن الحسن القطواني قالوا جميعا حدثنا الحسن بن محبوب الزراد عن هشام بن سالم عن يزيد الكناسي قال سمعت أبا جعفر محمد بن علي الباقر ع يقول إن صاحب هذا الأمر فيه شبه من يوسف ابن أمة سوداء يصلح الله عز و جل له أمره في ليلة واحدة

From Yazeed al-Kunaasee said, I heard Abaa Ja`far Muhammad bin `Alee al-Baaqir (عليهالسلام), he said: “Verily, the master of this affair (i.e. al-Qaa’im) in him is resemblance of Yoosuf (عليهالسلام), he is the son of a black bondswoman (female slave), and Allaah (عَزَّوَجَلَّ) will reform his affair in one night”

Source:
1.     Al-Nu`maani, Kitaab al-Ghaybah, ch. 13, pg. 228, hadeeth # 8
2.     Al-Nu`maani, Kitaab al-Ghaybah, pg. 163, hadeeth # 3

Imam Jawad (as) according to narrations would also be insulted for his darkness and given racist abuse. These realities found in our narrations are very different to what people try to depict the imams as in drawings.

Also Sister Amina Inloes has an interesting article about this topic which may benefit you; google and download the following article entitled: 

'Racial ‘Othering’ in Shi‘i Sacred History: Jawn ibn Huwayy ‘the African Slave’, and the Ethnicities of the Twelve Imams'

May Allah grant you success