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

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

67 Questions

What is the historical background of Imams or Successors prior to Rasoolullah (saw)? Were all of these successors considered Prophets?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

All who were before the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) were either prophets or Wasi (Deputy).

wassalam.
Where can I find books or articles that discuss the challenges faced by all the Prophets and the character traits they employed to overcome those challenges?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

The best book on the challenges which were faced by the prophets and the character traits they employed face those challenges is Quran and the Hadeeths from the Prophet (SAWA) and Ahlul Bayt (AS). Try to carefully read Quran and authentic Hadeeths in Al-Kaafi, Al-Istibsar, al-Faqeeh and Al-Tahtheeb.

Wassalam.
I am unable to eat dates because they cause me severe tooth pain and get stuck in my teeth. Am I committing a sin by avoiding them, or should I prioritize my health? I know dates are special and favored by the Prophet. What should I do?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

There is no sin at all in not eating dates whether you have medical reason or not as earring dates is just recommended but not obligatory on every Muslim. You should look after your health and treat your teeth and avoid anything which can harm your health. Hopefully you will be able to eat dates after your teeth are perfect iA. Still, it is not obligatory to eat any item of food especially when it can harm your health.

Wassalam.
Is the narration in Bihar al-Anwar volume 19, page 271, where the Prophet allegedly referred to some well-known Companions as the brothers of the earlier prophets, considered weak? If not, what is its actual meaning?
Amina Inloes

After transcribing this narration (in which the Prophet praises certain historical personalities as brethren of the ancient prophets) on volume 19, pp. 271-272 of Bihar al-Anwar, 'Allamah al-Majlisi expresses a very dim view of its authenticity and describes it as having "signs of fabrication". Apparently, he included it to discuss it, not to preach that it is correct. 

If one's goal is to determine Shi'i belief, one can note that this narration arises through Sunni narrators, including some who were identified as fabricators of hadith, and so it is not the correct sort of narration to look at to determine what Shi'is believe. 

Insofar as this is a very specific question, one assumes that it was mentioned on some sort of polemical website (like a website aiming to prove Shi'ism is wrong), and one wonders what the point is. Was the author of that material aiming to prove Shi'ism is wrong because 'Allamah al-Majlisi included a narration saying that the Prophet praised this or that person? Obviously, the view espoused in this narration is not a normal Shi'i belief, and there are ample parts of Bihar al-Anwar to demonstrate that. So it seems that whatever might have been calling attention this is taking it out of context, and this is disingenous.