Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

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Your Questions Answered

(Volume 2)

Author: Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi

www.alhassanain.org/english

Notice:

This version is published on behalf of www.alhassanain.org/english

The composing errors are not corrected.

Table of Contents

Preface 10

Question: What is the meaning of Shia? 11

Answer: 11

Question: How many Divisions have you? 12

Answer: 12

Question: Why do the other divisions don’t exist in East Africa? 13

Answer: 13

Question: How do the rest differ from yours? 14

Answer: 14

Question: Why did you give your Division this particular name - Ithna-asheriya? 15

Answer: 15

Question: Who can become an Ithna-asheriya? 16

Answer: 16

Question: Do you agree with the five principles of Islam - that is; 17

Answer: 17

Question: Do you believe that the “Traditions” (Hadith) of our Holy Prophet is the second important Book in Islam? 18

Answer: 18

Question: Do you agree that any one who changes the “ayas’ or the meaning of any of the two books (Quran and Hadith) is Kafir? 19

Answer: 19

Question: Do you also use the other six Books: 20

Answer: 20

Question: Which scholar’s books do you use for “Sheria?” 21

Answer: 21

Question: Does your belief allow you to extend the books of Sharia more than your scholars did, to sweet the modern life? 22

Answer: 22

Question: Why do you think that Seyyidina Ali should be the First Khalifa and not the Fourth as Sunnis believe? 23

Answer: 23

Question: Is the missing of the Caliphate to Seyyidina Ali after the death of our Holy Prophet the main reason of your break-up, or there are other reasons accompanied by this? 25

Answer: 25

Question: Do you believe the story of Miraji? 26

Answer: 26

Question: Do you pray five times a day or four times a day as indicated in the Qur’an? 27

Answer: 27

Question: What are the obligations of a Shia Muslim to God, Prophet, Caliph, Living Parents, Imam, Neighbour, Orphan, Ruler, Government, Widow, Stranger, Poor, Wife, Money, Child, Non- Muslim, Religion as a whole and Country? 28

Answer: 28

Question: What are the qualifications of (i) Caliph, (ii) Imarn, (iii) Lawyer, (iv) Treasurer, (v)General of the army? 29

Answer: 29

Question: How do you judge the following: 30

Answer: 30

Question: Which days of the Islamic year do you observe? What are the importance of those days? 32

Answer: 32

Question: What is the proper way of (1) marrying; (2) Inheriting? 33

Answer: 33

Question: Do you allow other Muslims to pray in your mosques? 34

Answer: 34

Question: How do you relate with other Muslims, for example, the Sunnis? 35

Answer: 35

Question: What are the necessary points that may lead to counting a child as illegitimately born? 41

Answer: 41

Question: Can a child born illegitimately be converted to being lawfully born? 42

Answer: 42

Question: Suppose a man makes a girl pregnant before they are married (but both of them aimed at marriage and could not control their sexual urge till their marriage), will the child be counted as illegitimately born? 43

Answer: 43

Question: According to Sunnis, a child born unlawfully is to be put to death. So are the father and mother of such a child. Is this correct to punish someone for the mother’s offence, while the Qur’an says that ‘no one will carry another’s load?’ 44

Answer: 44

Question: According to Sunnis, a dead body may be taken out of the grave if he is buried with some money or gold. But ‘Sauti ya Bilal’ (Vol.III no. 5) shows that Imam Husain was buried with gold. Is this not bad or was it done purposely? 45

Answer: 45

Question: I think the purpose behind the rule of ‘Idda’ period is to ascertain that the woman does not go with a child in her womb who belongs to her late husband and thus gives the child to the new husband. Can’t we use scientific means to find out whether the widow has a child in her womb or not? For, it is very hard to the widows and worries wives much when their husbands fall ill 46

Answer: 46

Question: How do the Shias mourn for a dead person? Explain for me all that is done for a dead Shia after his death to the ending of the mourning period? 47

Answer: 47

Question: How do the Shia send reward to their dead (Fateha) and when? 48

Answer: 48

Question: The Sunnis say that during the Day of Resurrection, everyone is going to get beautiful ladies; the 40th being his wife in this life. Is this story true? Suppose a lady got married to more than one man in her life, whose wife will she be on the Resurrection day? 49

Answer: 49

Question: Nowadays, it seems as if Muslims are filled with bad feelings about the landing of Americans on the Moon. What do the Qur’an and Islam say about science and exploration of the solar system? 50

Answer: 50

Question: A certain person in this area does not think that there is any need for an African to accept an Arabian religion. He counts Islam as Arabic religion. He says that every nation has its own prophets. He says that Sambaa people had some prophets, one of whom was Kighobo of the 10th century who prophesied about the coming of Europeans, the birth of children who will not care about their parents and the ending of the Kilindi dynasty rule in Usambaa - all these have come to truth 51

Answer: 51

Question: He also proves his theory that when any person of any religion prays for anything, he gets it. It shows, according to him, that all religions in the world are true and from God. Answer: 52

Question: We Muslims are much blamed by non-Muslims for using Holy Book for witch-craft. What really astonishes the non-Muslims is that those sheikhs and sharifus are the leaders of such activities - especially in the Coast area. My question is: How can Islam teach both religious tenets and witch-craft? 53

Answer: 53

Question: How far is a Muslim allowed to entertain himself? Is he allowed to entertain himself with music? 58

Answer: 58

Question: What is your opinion about the Christian theory of salvation through the crucifixion (death) of Jesus? Is it justice to kill someone for another’s salvation? 59

Answer: 59

Question: Is the Christian thought about the cause of the death correct? That man dies because of the disobedience of our father ‘Adam’ and ‘Eve’? 60

Answer: 60

Question: Did our Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) deliver his message to the Jinnis? If the answer is yes, how did he do this, while the Jinnis are not usually seen by man? And how is Islam maintained among the Jinnis now? 61

Answer: 61

Question: May I know the Dua and manner of slaughtering the following animals: Chicken; goat; cow; camel; wild animals; an animal for Aquiqua; an animal for slaying Festival, i.e. Idd-ul-Hajj 62

Answer: 62

Question: Have the Scientists recognised the need of a Planner and a Designer? 64

Answer: 64

Question: How Pascal used Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib’s (A.S.) idea? 65

Answer: 65

Question: How do the Qadariyyas share with God in Legislating the Shariat? 66

Answer: 66

Question: What were the ten intellects that the ancient Greek philosophers believed to have created the Universe? 67

Answer: 67

Question: How can the name Rahim be used for others besides Allah 68

Answer: 68

Question: How can the belief in one God create brotherhood? 69

Answer: 69

Question: Suppose a Muslim eats something forbidden in his religion - will he need a special purification? What is it? 70

Answer: 70

Question: Satan was one of the Angels. Angels were not given the power of doing things according to their free will, power and intention. How did Satan come to disobey Allah while he was bound to Allah’s commandments and guidance? 71

Answer: 71

Question: According to our belief (Shia), a prophet is sinless. Why should we pray for our Holy Prophet of Islam during prayers and other times, when we believe that he was Masum? 72

Answer: 72

Question: How is it that there are differences in praying while the prayer was taught by our Holy Prophet himself? 73

Answer: 73

Question: What support do the Sunnis have, that Music is allowed provided that it is not “Kufur”? 74

Answer: 74

Question: Did the Holy Prophet pay Mahr for his first wife, Hadhrat Khadija? How much? 75

Answer: 75

Question: How was the “Black Stone” brought to Hazrat Ismail? How does it look like? What is inside it? What is the significance of the stone? 76

Answer: 76

Question: The ancestors of the Holy Prophet were the worshippers of one God (Allah), according to our faith. How is it that they did not discourage the idol worshipping? 77

Answer: 77

Question: The uncle of the Holy Prophet, Abu Talib, seemed to accept Islam, but not really a Muslim, why? 78

Answer: 78

Question: Some Sunni sheikhs say that when Abu Talib died, the Holy Prophet spread his saliva all over his body so that he may not be put into hell. Is this story correct? 79

Answer: 79

Question: What was the reason behind Usama’s expedition? Because it is as if the Holy Prophet would encourage Muslims to take a vengeance 80

Answer: 80

Question: The Holy Prophet is recorded to have said: Treat yourself because there is no sickness without treatment. What sort of treatments should a Muslim use? 81

Answer: 81

Question: Are African medicines not allowed in Islam? 82

Answer: 82

Question: Suppose the disease is new and the physician uses “bao” or “Ramli” so that he may know the kind of disease, will it be Haram? 83

Answer: 83

Question: Is it true that in Shia Ithna-asheria, only Seyids are allowed to lead in congregational prayer? 84

Answer: 84

Answer: 84

Question: The Jinns and men have the same obligation towards Allah. Why is that Jinns are kept in Ghaib? 85

Answer: 85

Question: Can Ghaib be explored? 86

Answer: 86

Question: Most Arabic names start with either “Al” or “El” (a) what is the difference of the two words (b) How are they used in the Arabic language? 87

Answer: 87

Question: Do all things have souls? 88

Answer: 88

Question: Suppose I have something to give for Zakat-Fitr, but I know if I do that I will have nothing to support myself with - what should I do? 89

Answer: 89

Question: What does it mean by “a poor of his faith” does it mean a Muslim of any Madhheb or he must be a Shia ithna-asheri? 90

Answer: 90

Question: By cleansing with leaves - I mean, why are we Muslims not allowed to clean ourselves with leaves - let us say when we have attended the call of nature instead of using stones, clothes and such others? 91

Answer: 91

Question: Are ladies in Haidh and Nifas allowed to fast? 92

Answer: 92

Question: Please Maulana, may I know the number of days each month of Islamic Calendar is supposed to have? 93

Answer: 93

Question: Why does not the Holy Qur’an give strong emphasis to support father-in-law and mother- in-law? Because a married woman will never be able to support her father and mother if her husband does not like it 94

Answer: 94

Question: I have seen in Unit 21 that female children are better than male ones, because they even enter the Paradise easily. Why do people, even the Muslims, want and long for male children? 95

Answer: 95

Question: Getting education compels young men to remain unmarried for a long time, even when their sexual urge does not allow them to remain so. What advice can you give our Muslim young men concerning this problem? 96

Answer: 96

Question: My mother died an hour after my birth; my aunt took care of me. This woman has no son. What are my duties towards her? 97

Answer: 97

Question: Why doesn’t Islam allow people to use their mothers’ surnames, like Juma bin Zainab, instead of Juma bin Hamisi? I think using mother’s name gives more honour to mother; also it is clear that mother is surely the parent of the child, while it is not so sure in case of father 98

Answer: 98

Question: Do we Muslims believe that Allah had sent ladies as prophets, as the Christians believe in Deborah as a prophetess (Judges, 4:4) and Ruth (Ruth)? 99

Answer: 99

(Appendix ‘A’) Origin Of Shi’ism 100

(Appendix ‘B’) SECTS OF ISLAM 102

ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH: 103

PLACE OF REASON IN RELIGION 104

GOD’S PROMISES: 105

WHY BELIEVE IN GOD: 105

LIMIT OF LAW? 105

OUR ACTIONS: TAQDEER: 105

PROPHETHOOD: 106

SINLESSNESS: 106

THE PROPHETS: 107

(Appendix ‘C’) Space Travel 108

(Appendix ‘D’) I FOLLOWED THE LIGHT OF ALLAH 111

Preface

In 1972, when questions for the first volume of “Your Questions Answered” were being edited, it was found that Mr. Dhikiri Omari Mohamed Kiondo’s correspondence with the Mission could form a separate volume of its own. The result was this Second volume in the series, “Your Questions Answered”, which was edited at that time, though its publication was delayed.

Mr. Dhikiri Kiondo was born in 1946, at Kwemiinu village (District Lushoto, Tanga Region, Tanzania). His grandfather was the traditional Chief of the Wakilindi clan of the Wasambaa tribe. His father was a farmer and a staunch Muslim of Sunni faith. He did not like to send his only son to any school as he was afraid that his son would be converted to Christianity (as was common in those days). As a result he started his education late. He was enrolled in a Native Administration School and then was sent to a Qur’anic school, which he left in 1954 owing to bad health; and then his father died and he could not go back to school.

In 1955, he was enrolled in a Mission school and completed his Primary, (1958), Middle (1962) and Secondary (1966) education at various school run by U.M.C.A. One of his subjects was Bible knowledge. He was selected for Teachers Training Course at Butimba T. T. College, Mwanza (1967-68).

It was from Butimba that he wrote his first letter to us, asking 24 questions which showed that he was an intelligent youth eager to learn the truth about Islam; and also that he was completely in darkness about Shi’ism. I replied to him and the correspondence continued. In 1969, he was employed as a teacher in Lushoto District, and at the end of that year I invited him to embrace the Shia faith (letter No. 16), which he gladly did (letter No. 19).

We first met in August, 1970, when I went to see him at National Service camp at Oljoro. Third day he came to Arusha where he was introduced to Haji Ali Mohamed Jaffer Sheriff and Haji Ahmad Hussein Sheriff. He refers to this meeting in letter No. 26.

In August, 1973, he was sent by the Mission to Iran to study under the patronage of ‘A Group of Muslim Brothers’, Tehran, from where he returned in September, 1974. In February, 1975, he resigned his teaching post to become the Administrative Secretary of this Mission. He is married (2 wives) with 5 children.

The Mission hopes that this booklet will be received as enthusiastically as the first volume was. The reader will be interested to note the gradual development of Mr. Dhikiri’s questions demonstrating how he came nearer to us and found the true happiness and peace of mind that he began searching for when he first wrote to us.

While replying. I always copied his questions in my letters; therefore, those questions have been omitted from his letters.

30th November, 1975, Dares Salaam.

S.S.Akhtar Rizvi

Chief Missionary

Question: What is the meaning of Shia?

Answer:

The word ‘Shia’ is from Arabic word ‘At-Tashayo’ which means ‘to follow’. This word has been used for the followers of the Prophets of Allah in the Holy Qur’an:-

(a) “Hadha min Shiatihi wa hadha min aduwwihi Fas-taghathahul ladhi min Shiatihi alal-ladhi min aduwwihi” (Qur’an, 28:15).

This is from his Shias (followers) and that from his enemies.And he who was of his (Moses’) Shias asked his help against him who was of his enemies.

(b) “Wa inna min Shiatihi la Ibrahim” (Qur’an, 37:83).

And, verily, of his (Noah’s) Shias (followers) is Ibrahim. We are called Shia because we follow the Holy Prophet according to the way shown by Hazrat Ali and other sinless members of the family of the Holy Prophet. In fact, it was the Holy Prophet himself who named the followers of Hazrat Ali as ‘Shia’. The famous Sunni Scholars, Allamah Ibn Hajar Makki (in his book, ‘As-Sawaiqul- Muhriqua’) and Allamah Ibn Athir (in his book, ‘Nihaya’) record that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said:-

‘O Ali, verily thou wilt come before Allah; thou and thy Shias, happily, and Allah will be pleased with you.’

Another Sunni Scholar, Imam Suyuti, records in his “Tafseer Ad-Durrul-Manthur” that the Holy Prophet said pointing towards Ali: “He and his Shias are those who will be successsful in Quiyamat”. For further detail I would like you to read my article “Origin of Shia” in “The Light” (Sep.-Oct. 1967). (See Appendix ‘A’).

Question: How many Divisions have you?

Answer:

At present there are two sects calling themselves Shia: (a) Ithna-asheriya, and (b) Ismailiya.

Ismailiya again are sub-divided between Bohras and followers of H. H. The Aga Khan. It is this later sub-sect which is commonly known as ‘Ismailiya’ in East Africa. There is one sect in Yemen, called Zaidiyya, which is often grouped under Shia Sects. But they follow Mutazilites in their beliefs and Imam Abu Hanifa in the matters of Sheriat. So they should be grouped under Sunni sects not shia.

Question: Why do the other divisions don’t exist in East Africa?

Answer:

With exception of above mentioned Zaidiyya, all other sects are found here.

Question: How do the rest differ from yours?

Answer:

This is a question which cannot be fully answered without writing a book of theology. Still, I will try to give here just a glimpse of the main differences. The Shia Ithna-asheriya believe that:

i. All the Prophets and their successors (Imams) were infallible (Masoom).

ii. Imams must be appointed by Allah and that appointment is known through the announcement of the Holy Prophet or the preceding Imam.

iii. There are 12 successors (one after another) of our Holy Prophet.

Now:

(a) Zaidiya say that it is not necessary for an Imam to be infallible or appointed by God. Any Muslim, calling to Islam by way of Jihad, is an Imam.

(b) Ismailiya (both sects) believe in more than 12 Imams and both differ from us about the nature and meaning of Imamat, as well as the position of Imam in the religion.

Question: Why did you give your Division this particular name - Ithna-asheriya?

Answer:

‘Ithna-asher’ is the Arabic for ‘twelve’. As stated above, we believe in 12 Imams after the Holy Prophet, hence this name.

Question: Who can become an Ithna-asheriya?

Answer:

Any person, irrespective of his origin, can become Ithna-asheriya, if he sincerely believes in our tenents,

Question: Do you agree with the five principles of Islam - that is;

i. Believe that there is one God (Allah) and Muhammad (S.A.W.) is His Prophet;

ii. Prayer;

iii. Fasting in the month of Ramadhan;

iv. Paying the Zaka;

v. Making the Hijja?

Do you agree with the six principles of Iman - that is, believe in:-

i. One God - “Allah”;

ii. Angels;

iii. Holy Books;

iv. Prophets;

v. Resurrecction;

vi. Will of God (Qudra)?

Do you believe that Quran is a Book from Allah and is free from errors?

Answer:

Yes. Had you seen Islam’, there would have been no need to ask such questions.

Question: Do you believe that the “Traditions” (Hadith) of our Holy Prophet is the second important Book in Islam?

Answer:

Yes, if a tradition is authentic, it is to be followed and obeyed, without any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. For your information, there is no “Book” called “Traditions”. Traditions are collected by various scholars in their books.

Question: Do you agree that any one who changes the “ayas’ or the meaning of any of the two books (Quran and Hadith) is Kafir?

Answer:

Anybody who ‘knowingly’ changes any ‘aya’ of the Holy Qur’an, is Kafir. Also, if he changes its meaning ‘knowing it to be false’ he is Kafir, or at least ‘Munafique’ (hypocrite). Here, I would like you to understand what is the sure way of knowing the meaning of Qur’an.

Allah has said:

“He it is who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture wherein are clear revelations - They are the substance of the Book - and others (which are) allegorical. But those in whose hearts is doubt pursue, forsooth, that which is allegorical, seeking to cause dissention by seeking to explain it (as they like). But no one knows its meaning except God and those who are firmly grounded in knowledge....” (Qur’an 3:6). So the true meaning and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an cannot be known except from those who are firmly grounded in knowledge and whose knowledge is from the knowledge of Prophet.

And the Prophet said ‘I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate’.

Also he said: “I am leaving behind among you, two most precious things 1. The Book of Allah.......and

2. My descendants who are my family; and they will not separate from each other until they come to me near Kauther in Quiyamat”.

Therefore, to understand the Qur’an, it is essential to seek guidance from Ahlul-Bait.

Question: Do you also use the other six Books:

1. Sahih of Bukhari?

2. Sahih of Muslim?

3. Kitab-us-Sunan of Abu Daud?

4. Sahih of Tirmidhy?

5. Kitab-us-Sunan of Nasai?

6. Kitab-us-Sunan of Ibn Maja?

Answer:

I must make it clear that no collection of the Traditions is free from falsified or weak traditions. Therefore, we, like the scholars of Sunni Sect, judge every tradition on its merit. We “use” (to use your own word !) the above-mentioned books of traditions edited by Sunni scholars as well as other books of Shia scholars, applying the same test everywhere without discrimination.

Question: Which scholar’s books do you use for “Sheria?”

Answer:

There are hundreds of books in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Gujarati, Turkish, Bengali, Sindhi, Punjabi, Hindi, Kashmiri, (and recently in Swahili, English, German and French) and other languages, explaining the Shariat of Islam according to the Shia Ithna-asheri madhhab. There are books of Shariat right from the 2nd century of Hijra still extant. Therefore, it is not possible to give you a list of the books of Fiqh (which is referred to in your letter as ‘Shariat’). But currently the book most used by Shia scholars in East Africa is ‘Minhaj-us- Saleheen’ (2 parts) by the greatest Mujtahid of our time, Syed Mohsin-al-Hakeem (Najaf - Iraq).

Question: Does your belief allow you to extend the books of Sharia more than your scholars did, to sweet the modern life?

Answer:

I could not understand this question. Will you, please, elaborate it?

Question: Why do you think that Seyyidina Ali should be the First Khalifa and not the Fourth as Sunnis believe?

Answer:

You may understand some reasons from the article “Origin of Shia” mentioned earlier. Imamat in our madh-hab means succession to the Prophet in Temporal and Spiritual Headship of the Community of Muslims. There are many conditions of Imamat, some of which are given here:-

(1) Ismat: It means that Imam must be Masum, i.e., sinless and infallible. The reasons given for sinlessness of the Prophets apply here also.

(2) Appointment by God: Never in the history of religions (Judaism, Christianity) public was given the power to appoint the successor of a Prophet. Qur’an declares that even a prophet as great as Hadhrat Musa (a.s.) was not given the power to select his own successor. He prayed to ALLAH and He appointed Hadhrat Haroon (a.s.) for that office. Also Allah saysin Qur’an:

“Thy Lord creates whatever He wishes and selects; there is no power of choice for men”. (Qur’an 28:68). Therefore, as no Prophet was ever elected by the people, likewise no successor of the Prophet may be elected by the people. It is clear that if he will be appointed by the people, his first loyalty will be towards the people, not towards God.

(3) Imam must be above all people in all virtues, like knowledge, bravery, patience, justice, piety, love of God, faith and good deeds etc.

Now something about Appointment of Ali by God through our Holy Prophet:

The most famous of all occasions when the Holy Prophet declared the Imamat of Ali is the pronouncement at Khum. The facts in full details are given in many Sunni books. For instance, Mishkat-ul-Masabih, Kanzul-ummal (Vol. vi, pp. 390, 397, 399) and Khasaais by Imam Nasai (p. 48). The Prophet’s words, as quoted in the last-mentioned two books, contain this declaration “Verily Allah is my Mawla, and I am the Mawla of every believer”. Then he took the hands of Ali and said: “Everyone whose Mawla am I, Ali is his Mawla”, (i.e. Master).

The chain of Wilayat, right from Allah up to Ali, or as is generally said, from Prophet to Ali, does not leave any room for any doubt about the meaning of the word ‘Mawla’. The same meaning which can be applied for Allah and the Holy Prophet (i.e., Master) must be applied for Ali.

Moreover, in almost all narrations of Khum these words are preceded by the tradition mentioned above, i.e., “I am leaving behind among you, two precious things, The Book of God and my Ahlul-Bait.......”.

Any unprejudiced person, seeing these arrangements of Khum (the waiting for those who had remained behind, calling back those who had gone ahead, preparing a high platform in the burning sun of Arabian midday, and then delivering a long lecture and making those declarations) must admit that all this could not have been just to say thaht Ali should be loved by the Muslims (as some Sunni scholars want us to interpret the word ‘Mawla’). Allah and His Prophet were not just beloved of the Muslims; they were and are their Masters. So is Ali.

I have heard some Sunni brethren admitting the meaning of Mawla and then adding, “We accept that it was the ‘wish of the Prophet’ that Ali should be his successor. But the facts did not conform to his wish; and now we should accept whoever was accepted by the people”. There are many fallacies in this argument:

(a) Qur’an declared that the Prophet never spoke of his own accord. Whatever he told, it was the command and Wahi (revelation) from God. Once you say that it was the ‘Wish of the Prophet’, you must admit that it was the ‘Command of God’.

(b) People never had, and will never have, any right to cancel, or argue about, any decision made by Allah or His Prophet. The ayat of Qur’an says, “When Allah and His Prophet made any decision, there was no choice left for the believers” (Qur’an, 33:37).

(c) All the companions of the Prophet were non-Maasum (i.e., they were not sinless). Nobody has any doubt about it, And the Prophet was Maasum (sinless, infallible). Billions of non-Maasums put together have no right to challenge or change the decision of a Maasum.

(d) To say that when the companions of the Prophet did not follow the announcement of Khum, we also should do likewise, is to say that the companions of the Prophet (and not the Holy Prophet himself) were the real representatives of Allah.

(e) Some say that what was done at Saquifa (selection of Caliph Abu Bakr) was a manifestation of the Will of Allah. But this trend of thought pre-supposes that whatever is done by man is actually done by Allah. Most of the Muslim scholars refute this thinking. And if anybody believes in such creed, he must accept that rejection of the Khilafat of Hadhrat Abu Bakr by Bibi Fatenm (Lady of the women of Paradise, the daughter of the Prophet) and by the Shias is also an act of God.

Question: Is the missing of the Caliphate to Seyyidina Ali after the death of our Holy Prophet the main reason of your break-up, or there are other reasons accompanied by this?

Answer:

In a way you may say so. But as the chance to guide the Muslims in a proper way was denied to Hadhrat Ali, the Muslims began to go away in whatever direction they saw fit. As a result, there emerged beliefs that were not Islamic at all. And now we have in Muslim world scores of sects all differing among themselves about Allah, His Prophets, about practices of Sheriat etc.

It would have been better if you would not have used the word ‘break-up’ in this question. Because, as a prominent Indian writer said in this context, “being in a minority does not necessarily mean that the smaller group had ‘broken up’ from the main stream. Rather it might be that the majority, by involving itself in the politics of power and glamour of wordly success, had deviated from the original teachings, while the minority stuck to the path shown by the founder of Islam”.

If you want to know more about this subject, please refer to Islam’ and to the article ‘How Hasan and Husain Saved The Religion From Deterioration’ (Light, Sept., 1966). (Now also “Imamat” is recommended).

Question: Do you believe the story of Miraji?

Answer:

We believe that our Holy Prophet ascended with body up to ‘Arsh’ at least once while he was at Mecca.

Question: Do you pray five times a day or four times a day as indicated in the Qur’an?

Are your prayers like those of the Sunnis, that is (a) Fajr 2 rakaas; (b) Dhuhur 4 rakaas; (c)

Asr 4 rakaas; (d) Maghrib 3 rakaas and (e) Isha 4 rakaas?

How do you call for prayers?

How do you aim at prayers (e.g., saying ‘Usalli faradh Subh’)? What are the necessary steps to follow so as to fulfil (i) Prayer; (ii) Fasting (iii) Zaka (iv) Hijja?

Answer:

We pray 5 times (not 4 times) and there is no difference in the number of Rakaas. For further details please refer to our ‘Kitabu Cha Sala’ and ‘Kitabu Cha Saumu’. (Now “Elements of Islamic Studies” is recommended).