Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

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Your Questions Answered

(Volume 3)

Author: Allamah Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi

Publisher: Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania

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 7

Q. 1: Whom Does Islam Belong To? 8

Q. 2: SHIAS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA 9

Q. 3: WHY ARE SHIAS IN MINORITY? 10

Q. 4: ALLAH IS ONE 11

Q. 5: WHERE IS GOD? 12

Q. 6: WHY PLURAL PRONOUNS FOR ALLAH? 13

Q. 7: WHO CAME FIRST? 14

Q. 8: ANY OTHER ADAM? 15

Q. 9: WINGS OF THE ANGELS 16

Q. 10: JINN AND SATAN 17

Q. 11: Triple Darkness 18

Q. 12: GRADES OF THE PROPHETS 19

Q. 13: SINLESSNESS OF THE PROPHETS 20

Q. 14: WAS ISA (AS.) BORN ON 25th DECEMBER? 21

Q. 15: RELIGIOUS GUIDE BEFORE OUR HOLY PROPHET 22

Q. 16: THE FIRST AYAT REVEALED 23

Q. 17: IS 'BISMILLAH' WORD OF ALLAH? 24

Q. 18: LIGHT OF ALLAH? 25

Q. 19: THE MOTHER OF THE HOLY PROPHET 26

Q. 20: MOON IS CLEFT ASUNDER 27

Q. 21: Total Number Of Ahlul bayt 28

Q. 22: DISTINCTION OF 'PANJATAN' 29

Q. 23: WHO IS "IMAM-E-MUBEEN"? 30

Q. 24: INCOME OF 14 MASUMEEN 32

Q. 25: RELIABILITY OF DUA الهی عظم البلاء و برح الخفاء 33

Q. 26. OUR IMAMS WERE ARABS. WHY NOT ARE WE ARABS? 36

Q. 27. WHY SHOULD JESUS FOLLOW MAM MAHDI? 37

Q. 28: WHO ARE GOG AND MAGOG? 38

Q. 29: MUJTAHIDS SOON AFTER GHAIBAT 39

Q. 30: CHANGING THE TAQLEED 40

Q. 31: Why Difference Between Mujtahids? 41

Q. 32: MUJTAHID AND TAQLID 42

Q. 33: CALIBRE OF IJTIHAD 43

Q. 34: HOW TO REFORM ISLAMIC WORLD? 44

Q. 35.FRIENDSHIP WITH ENEMIES OF ISLAMS 45

Q. 36: IS MIDDLE EAST WAR A JIHAD? 46

Q. 37: CAN LADIES AND GENTS SIT TOGETHER IN RELIGIOUS AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS? 47

Q. 38: DRESS OF THE LADY-TEACHERS 49

Q. 39:'PURDAH' CREATES RICKETS? 50

Q. 40:Age Limit For Purdah? 51

Q. 41:VAGINAL EXAMINATION BY A DOCTOR 52

Q. 42: SEPARATION OF BOYS AND GIRLS A PROBLEM 53

Q. 43: MIXING OF GIRLS WITH BOYS 54

Q. 44: HIGHER EDUCATION FOR GIRLS 55

Q. 45: RIGHT OF WOMAN CONCERNING MARRIAGE 56

Q. 46: MARRIAGE OF A SEYYID GIRL WITH NON-SEYYID 57

Q. 47: SLAUGHTERING CHICKENS DURING WEDDING 58

Q. 48: SHOULD ONE WAIT FOR A GOOD WIFE? 59

Q. 49: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NIKAH AND MUTAA 60

Q. 50: Is Mutaa Forbidden? 61

Q. 51: MUT'AA, ADULTERY AND MAINTENANCE OF WIFE 62

Q. 52: HOW TO RELEASE SEXUAL TENSION? 63

Q. 53: WHY MASTURBATION IS NOT ALLOWED? 64

Q. 54: HOW TO GET RID OF THE HABIT OF MASTURBATION 66

Q. 55: DIVORCE DURING MONTHLY PERIOD 67

Q. 56: IS SINGING HARAM? 68

Q. 57: HADITH ABOUT MUSIC 69

Q. 58: WHY DO YOU FORBID GOOD THINGS OF LIFE 70

Q. 59: GOING TO CINEMA 71

Q. 60: What About Silent Movies? 72

Q. 61: THE FILM "PILGRIMAGE TO MECCA" 73

Q. 62: CAN WE WATCH TELEVISION? 74

Q. 63: WASTING OF TIME 75

Q. 64: IS ISLAM A BARBARIC RELIGION? 76

Q. 65: INTEREST? 77

Q. 66: LIFE INSURANCE? 78

Q. 67: TAKING PHOTO OF GHAIRMAHRAM 79

Q. 68: AMPUTATION OF A THIEF'S HAND 80

Q. 69: POLITICAL PRISONERS 81

Q. 70: Is Magic Allowed? 82

Q. 71: FOLLOWING MAGICIAN'S ADVICE 83

Q. 72: WHAT ABOUT PALMISTRY, ISTIKHARAH, "SAAD" AND "NAHAS" DATES AND QAMAR-DAR-AQRAB? 84

Q. 73: TAKING OUT BLOOD 85

Q. 74: IS 'EUTHANASIA- ALLOWED? 86

Q. 75: MERCY KILLING? 87

Q. 76: DEFORMED BABIES 88

Q. 77: A PATIENT KEPT ALIVE BY ARTIFICIAL EQUIPMENTS 89

Q. 78: CANNIBALISM IN SOUTH AMERICA 90

Q. 79: ANIMAL SLAUGHTERED BY A JEW 91

Q. 80: If Meat Becons Najis? 92

Q. 81: BAKE-N-TAKE SHOPS 93

Q. 82: WHICH FISH ARE HALAL? 94

Q. 83: FISH BOUGHT FROM A NON-MUSLIM 95

Q. 84: TINNED MEAT: 96

Q. 85: FAT OF SHEEP AND OXEN 97

Q. 86: WHICH BIRDS ARE HALAL? 98

Q. 87: WORKING FOR A BREWERY 99

Q. 88: Making labels for breweries I intend to start a cottage industry producing labels for the Tanzania Market 100

Q. 89: MAKING TRAYS FOR BARMAN 101

Q. 90: Is Marungi Haram? 102

Q. 91: NARCOTIC DRUGS 103

Q. 92: IS YEAST HALAL? 104

Q. 93: PICKLES MADE BY NON-MUSLIMS 105

Q. 94: IS CHEESE HARAM? 106

Q. 95: DONATING BLOOD 107

Q. 96: HOW TO SECURE HAPPINESS? 108

Q. 97: "QITMEER" 109

Q. 98: MOURNING FOR THE MARTYRS OF KARBALA 110

Q. 99. BEATING THE CHEST 114

Q. 100: Kissing The Shabith's 115

Q. 101: PIGEONS ON SHABIH'S 116

Q. 102: MOURNING AND CHANCES OF "SHIFA'AT"? 117

Q. 103: MAJLIS IN WRONG PLACE 118

Q. 104: PURPOSE OF NAZR MONEY 119

Q. 105: NAZAR 120

Q. 106: WHO CAN SIT ON MINBER? 121

Q. 107: ZAKIR WHO TELLS LIES 122

Q. 108: WAS BIBI ZAINAB EXCESSIVELY DISTRESSED ON THE EVE OF ASHURA? 123

Q. 109: WHEN DID HUR JOIN IMAM HUSAIN (A.S.)? 125

Q. 110: Was Imam Martyred When Praying? 126

Q. 111. DID IMAM OFFER TO DO BAI'AT OF YAZID? 127

Q. 112: DID IMAM GET WATER? 129

Q. 113: WHERE WERE THE BODIES OF MARTYRS? 131

Q. 114: WHEN WERE THE SONS OF MUSLIM MARTYRED? 132

Q. 115: MEANING OF "WAWAILAH" 133

Q. 116: MAJLISES DELAYED FOR LATER DATES 134

Q. 117: DIRECTION FOR ZIYARAT 135

بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Preface

This is the 3rd volume in this series contains answers to questions asked from January, 1972 to March, 1975. These questions cover a wide range of burning topics of modern times.

The popularity of the 1st two volumes has convinced us of the usefulness of this venture; and the Mission hopes that this volume will be even more widely read.

These questions were received from correspondents residing in East Africa, UK, Europe, Canada, USA, Pakistan and India. We have omitted the names for obvious reason. This series is published for the benefit of our Shia Ithna-aseri youths.

The Mission is grateful to Mr.Murtaza Bandali, Dar-es-Salaam, for his help in checking the proof and making useful suggestions.

S. SAEED AKHTAR RIZVI

Dar-es-Salaam

31st December, 1975.

Q. 1: Whom Does Islam Belong To?

Unlike Judaism that belongs to the Jews, and Christianity that belongs to Christians, Islam does NOT belong to Muslims but to the entire mankind.

The follower of Islam are called Muslims just to distinguish them from non-followers and it does not mean that whatever has been said in the holy Quran - a guidance for mankind -is Exclusively meant for the muslims as is the prevalent misconception.

A. Islam has been sent to lead the whole mankind onto the right path. But it is wrong to say that it "belongs" to this or that person. It belongs to Allah. The muslims who follow Islam, do belong to Islam. Those who do not follow it are rebels having gone away from islam; and hence called Kafirs.

Also muslims are called are called "muslims" not to distinguish them from the non- Believers, but because they belong to islam. It is not a "negative" name, but a Positive one which means "one who accepts the Will of Allah and obeys His command."

Q. 2: SHIAS IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

In the last issue of "The Light" (February,1972) I read an interesting topic of Shiite connection with early history of East Africa. Can you please give me the present condition of shia Ithna-'asharis in West, Central and South Africa?

A. There are very few Shias in South Africa. In Mozambique there are about 10 families. The number of the Shias in central and west Africa is as follows:-

Zaire - 950

Burundi - 400 of Khoja Origin

Ruwanda - 150

Nigeria - 4000 Arabs from Lebanon etc.

Note: Since these figures were written, most of the Ithna-asheri have left Nigeria and Zaire as a result of the decision of those governments not to allow non-citizens to work there.

Q. 3: WHY ARE SHIAS IN MINORITY?

Why we Shias are in minority in the world though ours is the true Islam. Is it because of (1) oppression to which we have been subjected soon after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) closed his eyes for all times to come, or (2) lack of Tabligh work or (3) Tragedy of Kerbala that we have become lethargic - Tragic aspect being stressed more and the practical aspect less.

A. When were the "people of truth" in majority? Give me one example. And for the benefits of the tragic aspect of the events of Karbala, see the answer to the question No. 98.

Q. 4: ALLAH IS ONE

Could you please give me one Ayat which proves oneness of God?

A. Read Surah Qul Huwallah, with its meaning:-

"Say, He is Allah, the One; Allah, the eternally Besought of all; He Begets not nor was He begotten; and there is none like unto Him."

Q. 5: WHERE IS GOD?

I was once asked by a Christian to prove the whereabouts of God and why do I follow the Islamic religion rather than Christianity?

A. God is everywhere by His Power; but not as a body. You should read "God of Islam" and "Prophethood" to give the full answer to your Christian friend. These books have been published by this Mission.

Q. 6: WHY PLURAL PRONOUNS FOR ALLAH?

Why sometimes Allah uses in the Qur'an the pronouns, I, ME, WE, US, MY and OURS?

A. You cannot have any objection about singular pronouns. The plural is used to denote His Greatness, Honour and Power. It is the usual custom in many languages.

Q. 7: WHO CAME FIRST?

Who was created first, man or animals?

A. Animals.

Q. 8: ANY OTHER ADAM?

Was there any other Adam or World before this world and Adam?

A. According to the 'Ahadith' of Masumeen (a.s.), there have passed thousands of Adams before ours.

Q. 9: WINGS OF THE ANGELS

"Praise to Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who appointeth the angels messengers having wings two, three an four"(Qur'an, 35:1) Explain the phrase "wings two, three and four".

A. We may suppose "two, three or four" to refer to the pairs of wings But it does not necessarily signify the precise number, rather it means "many wings", because in 'Ahadith' we find mention of angels with hundreds of wings; and also there are angels with just one pair of wings.

Q. 10: JINN AND SATAN

Who are Jinn, Satan, Iblees and Ifreets?

A. "Jinn": In many passages of the Qur'an "Jinn" and man are spoken of together. In an ayat 'man' is stated to have been created from clay while "Jinn" from fire. There is much argument about the real nature of "Jinn" but it is safe to say that they are a creation of God, who are hidden from our eyes and have been given "Intelligence" like human beings and are required to follow the Sheriat sent by Allah.

"Iblis" and "Satan" refer to the same person. He is from "Jinn", was elevated to worship Allah with the angels; and that is why he was included in the order of doing "Sajdah" towards Adam (as.).

"Ifreet":

"A huge, powerful Jinn".

Q. 11: Triple Darkness

"He created you from one being, then from that (being) He made its mate; and He hath provided for you of cattle eight kinds. He created you in the wombs of your mothers creation after creation, in a triple darkness........" (Qur'an, 39:6) What is meant by: (1) a triple darkness? (2) of cattle eight kinds?

A.

(1) "Triple darkness": according to the 'Ahadith of Masumeen it means "the three veils of darkness which cover the unborn child, i.e. the caul or membrane, the womb and the hollow (or stomach) in which the womb is enclosed."

(2) In Surah 6, Ayats 143-4, four kinds of cattle are mentioned in pairs in connection with certain Arab superstitions which are condemned by Allah, the same four pairs are mentioned here as representatives of domesticated cattle given by Allah to man for his benefit. These are sheep, goats, camels and oxen.

Q. 12: GRADES OF THE PROPHETS

How can we say that our Prophet (s.a.w.) is the highest in rank and greatest of all the prophets, when Allah says in the Qur'an that we should not make any difference between His prophets. See Ayat 285 of Sura Al-Baqarah:-

"....... all believe in Allah and in His angels and in His Messenger; (they say) we make no difference between His messengers...."

A. Compare this Ayat with Ayat 253 of the same Surah and you will find that there WAS grade and RANK among the Prophets and Messengers of Allah. That Ayat says:-

"These messengers, We have exalted some of them above the others......."

Then what is the meaning of the Ayat 285?

Its meaning is that we have to believe in all the Messengers of Allah, We should not be like Jews who do not believe in Hadhrat Isa (a.s.) and Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.), nor like Christians who do not believe in Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.).

Q. 13: SINLESSNESS OF THE PROPHETS

We believe in the sinlessness of prophets; but these sentences from a dua (Aamal-e- Arafa) show that they were not sinless:

(1) "WA-BISMIKAL-AZEEMI-LLADHI DA'AK BIHI DAWOODO WA KHARRALAKA SAAJIDA FAGHAFARATA LAHU DHAN-BAH"

(And by Thy Great name by which Dawood prayed to Thee and prostrated before Thee in Sajdah, so that Thou pardoned his Dhanb' i.e. Sin)

(2) "WABISMIKAL-LADHI DA'AKA BIHI ADAMO FAGHAFARATA LAHU DHANBAH." (And by Thy name by which Adam prayed to Thee, so that Thou pardoned his "Dhanb' i.e. sin)

A. The word "DHANB" (Sin) when used for the prophets, means Tark-e-Awla (leaving a better course for a lawful but unpreferred one), and not sin in usual sense.

Q. 14: WAS ISA (AS.) BORN ON 25th DECEMBER?

Was Nabii Isa (a.s.) born on 25th December, according to our history?

A. Hazrat Isa (a.s.) was not born in December; he was not born even in winter. It is no question of "our" or "their" history. It is an accepted fact.

25th December was the day when the Romans (worshippers of Mitra) used to celebrate birth of Sun-God. 23rd December, is the shortest day in Northern hemisphere; so, the next day sees the beginning of the elongation of day-time. But the Romans miscalculated and thought that the day starts to become longer from 25th December; hence their festival.

When the Roman emperor Constantine left Mitraism to become a Christian, the Christian priests took a lot of myths from Mitraism and made them a part of Christianity to please him and accommodate the Romans' practices within the Christianity. The belief in sonship of God, the atonement, the Mass, Easter, Christmas, all fall in this category.

Q. 15: RELIGIOUS GUIDE BEFORE OUR HOLY PROPHET

Who was the Prophet in the world before Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w.)? If it were Nabi Isa (a.s.) then how many years after his being taken up by Allah came Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w.)? Was it that the world was without any prophet for a long period, and then came Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) I hope you will explain to me with full necessary details.

A. The world cannot remain without a religious guide appointed by Allah. That guide may be a prophet or a successor of the prophet (without himself being a prophet). Between Hazrat Isa (a.s.) and Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (s.a.w.) there was a gap of about 6 centuries. During this period, there were 3 chains of religious guides:

(a) The successors of Hazrat Isa (a.s.), last of whom was Hazrat Salman Farsi who became a follower of our Holy Prophet.

(b) The Successors of Hazrat Ismail (a.s.), last of whom was Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s). He also became a follower of our Holy Prophet. These guides in these two chains were not prophets themselves.

(c) Also, there came a few prophets in various places, and name of one or two of them is mentioned in the traditions.

Q. 16: THE FIRST AYAT REVEALED

On what date and place was the first ayat revealed to the Prophet (s.a.w.)? And which ayat?

A. The prophet of Islam was in the cave of the mountain "Hira" (3 miles from Mecca) when the following 5 Ayats were revealed:

"Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of they Lord and Cherisher, Who created; created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, He who taught (the use of) the pen, taught man that which he knew not."

Q. 17: IS 'BISMILLAH' WORD OF ALLAH?

The whole of the holy Qur'an is true word of Allah. The verse "Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir- Raheem" is at hundreds of places in this holy book. Is this also the word of Allah?

A. Yes. Just as a teacher trains the students in writing an application addressed to himself, Allah teaches His creatures the necessary ways to show their submission to Him. And, by the way, it is mentioned 114 times, not "hundreds".

Q. 18: LIGHT OF ALLAH?

It is said that Allah produced from His own Sublime Light the Light of Muhammad and from the splendour of that Light created the world 14,000 years before the creation of Adam. Now, the question is:

(a) Is Allah constituted of Light?

(b) What does it actually mean by the word "Light" here?

(c) Does it mean that Adam was created after 14,000 years o the creation of the earth?

A. Allah is not a light; the phrase "Light of Allah" means a "Light" having special honour before Allah, just as the "soul" of Adam (a.s.) was termed by Allah as "My Soul".

'Nur' (Light) is also used in the meaning of "One which is self-evident and illuminates (shows) other things". It is in this sense that Allah is called 'Light', for example, the Ayat, "Allah is the light of the heavens and earth" (Qur'an, 24:35). It means that Allah is self- existent and has created the heavens and earth.

The number, 14,000 years, could have been used in literal sense; but usually such phrases mean a long period.

Q. 19: THE MOTHER OF THE HOLY PROPHET

Did the Holy Prophet Muhammad's mother have any relationship with Madina? Was she born there?

A. No. She was a Quraishite, and her father was "Wahab s/o Abd Manaf, s/o Zuhra s/o Kilab". Her genealogy meets that of Abdullah in Kilab; Abdullah's genealogy is: Abdullah s/o Abdul-Muttalib s/o Hashim s/o Abd Manaf s/o Qusai s/o Kilab.

But the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) was related to the clan of Bani Najjar of Madina, because his great-grandmother was from that tribe and city.Hashim had married Salmah d/o Amr of Bani Najjar in Yathrib (Madina) who was the mother of Abdul-Muttalib.

Q. 20: MOON IS CLEFT ASUNDER

"The hour drew nigh and the moon was rent in twain" (54:1) what does this verse mean?

A. The correct translation is, "and the moon is cleft (or rent) asunder". It mentions the miracle of the Holy Prophet, when one night the moon was cleft asunder in the valley of Mecca within sight of the Holy Prophet, his companions and the unbelievers.

The next Ayat says: "And if they see a sign, they turn away and say (that it is) a sorcery continued". It clearly shows that unbelievers had seen that miracle and still refused to accept it, by pretending that it was a sorcery. Surely there had happened some thing which made the unbelievers use the word "sorcery".

Q. 21: Total Number Of Ahlul bayt

What is the total number of Ahlut-Bait (a.s.) is it 5, 14 or more. Can we include Hazrat Ali Asghar (a.s.) and the sons of Hazrat Muslim also in Ahlul-Bait (a.s.)? Is there any limit to the number of Ahfuf-Bait (a.s.)?

A. So far as the language is concerned, there is no limit. All the descendants of Ali (a.s.) and Fatima (a.s.) or all Bani Hashim may be included in this word. But when it comes to the interpretation of the Ayat of "Purity" (Ayat-e-Tatheer), Ahadith have clearly shown that it does not include anybody except the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), Bibi Fatimah (a.s.) and 12 Imams (a.s.).

Q. 22: DISTINCTION OF 'PANJATAN'

What are the additional distinctions of Panjatan (a.s.) over the rest of the nine innocent Imams? According to the "Event of the Blanket" (Hadise Kisa) is it only Panjatan who are Ahlul-Bait?

A. Ahlul-Bait means Bibi Fatimah and 12 Imams (a.s.). The "Panjatan" have more "Fadhilat" than the rest, because the Prophet (s.a.w.) is the supreme most of all creatures of Allah, and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) is his "Nafs", which means 'like him in almost all things (with exception of prophethood and the specialities of the prophethood)'.

Bibi Fatimah (a.s.) has a position below her father and husband but above all other Imams. And these 5 Holy personalities were directly included in the Ayats of "Tat-heer," "Mubahila-" and "Mawadaat".

And Hazrat Ali, Imam Hasan, Imam Husain and 12th Imam (Peace be on them all) have "Fadhilat" over remaining 8 Imams. But it is not good for us to ponder too much on these matters. For us, all have equal authority; and if among themselves one is superior to the other, it has nothing to do with our own duties towards them.

Q. 23: WHO IS "IMAM-E-MUBEEN"?

(a) Please let me know the exact meaning of the Arabic word 'IMAM' and 'IMAM-I- MUBIN' These words are contained twelve times in Holy Qur'an.

(b) What is the meaning and commentaries of the word "YASIN' according to our Shia belief?

(c) It looks many authors of Shia community claim that 12th verse of Sura Yasin (36:12) was revealed in favour of Hadhrat Ali bin Abi Talib. Will you, please, let me know at least three references of Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims respectively, who have admitted that Hadhrat Ali was "Imam-i-Mubin".

(d) It sounds apparently that Sunnis either correctly or incorrectly have translated the word "Imam-i-Mubin" (Qur'an, 36:12) as '"Aamal Nama" and "Lauh-i-Muhfuz" on the strength of the following:-

i. The Sunnis are lacking the basic concept of Imamat;

ii. They are trying to conceal the excellence of Hazrat Ali by not interpreting the real meaning of "Imam-i-Mubin";

iii. Their Mufassirin (Commentators) have followed the policy of partiality, looking at only one side of Islam.

But, Sir, you must have noticed that none of these three points were held by Christians and Jews scholars in their translations of Holy Qur'an, and that Europeans have translated it utterly on the ground of neutrality and impartiality.

Why they too have translated the word "Imam-i-Mubin" as ""Open Book", ""Plain Register". ""Clear Record or Writing"? Are their translation works not correct? If incorrect, please supply your comprehensive comments in this regard.

(e) Suppose, the word "Imam-i-Mubin" means "Open Book", "Plain Register" and we may just hold it incorrect. Now please describe why Shia commentators themselves have wrongly translated the word "Imam-i-Mubin" of 79th verse of Sura Hijr (15:791) Why it is so? Here Shia authors and commentators translated it as ""Plain highway" or '"Open roadway".

A. Before I write anything let me point out that the Christian and Jewish scholars have not translated the Qur'an "utterly on the ground of neutrality and impartiality", as you have suggested.

First of all, their translations and commentaries are based on Sunni Books of "Tafseer" and "Hadith". Shia books were not available to them; and, moreover, as the motive of the orientalists' translations was not a "search for truth" but to give some ammunition in the hands of the missionaries (many translators were themselves missionaries),

they naturally looked into the books of the Sunnis who form the majority of Islamic community and amongst whom the missionaries were expected to preach Christianity in almost all Islamic place (except Iran and a part of Iraq).Therefore, they followed Sunni ideas.

And it was because of this background that almost all of them dismissed Shia sect as a non-entity, a supposedly heretical group of Islam, which, according to them, came into being because of political differences and had no religious standing.

So these are your neutral and impartial translators!

The-word "Imam" means "Leader" or "Guide". And it is used for various meanings: Successor of the Prophet; Religious Guide, and hence the Prophet; Divine book; One who leads in prayer.

All the above meanings are based on the basic concept of "Guidance" and "Leadership" Also, it is used for the "Path" (because it leads from one point to another). In the Qur'an it has also been used for the "Books of deeds" in which our actions are recorded.

Now see the examples:

(1) Qur'an, 2:124 - Here Imam has been used for "Leader" (in the sense of "prophet")

(2) Qur'an, 25:74; 21:73; 32:24 - It is used for Leader, meaning "Religious Guides".

(3) Qur'an: 9:12 and 28:4 - Here also it is used for Leaders' who lead people to Hell (or should we say, "Who mislead").

(4) Qur'an: 17:71 - mentions of "Imam" in the meaning of "Leader" and, of course, good and evil, both types.

(5) In 15:79, this word has been used for "way" or "path". "Imam-e-Mubin" in this ayat cannot be translated in any other way.

Now before explaining the meanings of "Imamin Mubin" (in 36:11) let me explain one thing: According to numerous 'Ahadith' of the Holy Prophet and Imams, "The Qur'an has been revealed...... and for each of its Ayats there an 'appearance' (apparent meaning) and a 'hidden' meaning....." (This Hadith has been narrated by the Sunnis from the Holy Prophet s.a.w).

According to Shia faith, both types of meanings have to be believed, as both are from Allah; and both meanings are complementary to each other.

In this ayat of Sura "Yasin", the apparent meaning is the "Book of Deeds", which has been described in various ways by various translators.

And its "inner" meaning may be known from the tradition of the Holy Prophet, narrated by the famous Sunni Mufassir, and Muhaddith, Imam Jalaluddin Suyuti in his Tafseer "Ad- Durrul Manthur (Vol. V, Page 261, Egypt edition):-

"Abd bin Hamid, Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim have narrated from Quatadah that this ayat means that "everything is preserved in a "Leader" (The Arabic word implies a human being.)

And our 5th Imam (a.s.) has said that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) explaining this ayat before Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Umar said-(in a long Hadith) turning towards All bin Abi Talib: "Verily, this is that 9Imam Mubin) in whom Allah has contained the knowledge of everything."

I hope this explanation will satisfy you that neither the "outer" meaning given by our Sunni brethren is wrong, nor is the "inner" meaning described by our 5th Imam (as.) on the authority of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.).

But I have not seen this "inner" meaning mentioned clearly in Sunni books; therefore, you cannot blame them if they do not accept it.

"Ya-Sin" is one of the titles of the Holy Prophet (s.aw) This short letter is not a place to give more details; but you may rest assured that there is no difference between the Sunnis and Shias in this matter

Q. 24: INCOME OF 14 MASUMEEN

What was the source of income of our 14 Masumeen (a.s)?

A. Usually trade and agriculture.