Inquiries About Shi'a Islam

By Al-Qazwini, Moustafa

Book Id: WPLBN0003972018
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 1.13 MB
Reproduction Date: 9/9/2013

Title:	Inquiries About Shi'a Islam
Author:	Al-Qazwini, Moustafa
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, Religion, Theology
Collections:	Authors Community, Islam
Historic Publication Date:	2013
Publisher:	The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS), Division of Intellectual and Cultural Affairs

Member Page:
Citation APA MLA Chicago Al-Qazwini, B. M. (2013). Inquiries About Shi'a Islam. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
Since the first edition of Inquiries about Shia Islam was published in the summer of 1999, four-thousand English copies have been distributed and sold to Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States of America and abroad. The book was also published in various languages. The need still exists for a better understanding about the traditions and followers of the Ahlul Bayt, and thus a revised second edition of the book was made. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sister Fatma Saleh for her generous contributions in editing and revising this edition. Special thanks are also due to the Khaki family of Seattle, Washington for making this book come to print. May Allah, the most Merciful, the most Compassionate reward all those who work sincerely to serve His cause.

Summary
The Shi‘a and Sunni schools of thought form the two wings of the Islamic nation that allow it to fly and carry out its lofty objectives. A great Muslim scholar once said, “Those who attempt to cause division between the Shi‘a and Sunni are neither Shi‘a nor Sunni.” Written under this premise, the book in hand should clarify some common questions and inquiries about the philosophy and practice of Shi‘a Islam. The Shi‘a and Sunni schools of thought differ primarily in jurisprudence and have far more similarities than differences. Every school of thought in Islam must be respected because they all can lead people to salvation. Due to the lack of clear information, the Shi‘a Imamiyyah school of thought has remained a mystery to many Muslims. Numerous Muslims are relieved to discover the truth about Shi‘a Islam from reliable sources. Nevertheless, the enemies of Islam have found that the best way to slander Islam and disturb the peace within the Muslim nation is to encourage division and sectarianism. Thus, a myriad of negative and false rumors with no basis in the authentic books of the Shi‘a school of thought have been spread. These rumors have two sources: animosity towards Islam on the part of those who invent them, and ignorance on the part of those who believe and propagate them. This book is a call to unite the Muslims since true unity stems from an understanding of each other’s philosophies, not from keeping them secret. While the majority of Shi‘a scholars and even average individuals keep many books belonging to other schools of thought in their libraries, few other Muslims take the time to read the original sources of Shi‘a philosophy. I have endeavored in this book to present the most controversial issues that distinguish Shi‘a Islam in a simple manner understandable by all people, particularly our youth generation in the Western countries. To make this book accessible to all readers regardless of their school of thought, I have relied mainly on the Noble Quran and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF) as reported in the books of narration (hadith).

Excerpt
I ask all who read this book to read it objectively, with openmindedness and without sectarian biases, and I welcome any suggestions, criticisms, or inquiries. We ask Allah for guidance and enlightenment in our search for the truth. May Allah open our hearts and minds to it, and may He guide and extend His mercy upon us, for He is the one who grants all things. “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You; truly, You are the Bestower.”Noble Quran, 3:8 We ask Allah for His mercy, grace, and blessings in this endeavor, and I ask the readers for their prayers that we all continue to be humble servants of the religion of Allah on the Earth.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents Introduction Introduction to Second Edition Who are the Shi‘a? The Five Schools of Islamic Thought Ja‘fari Hanafi Maliki Shafi;i Hanbali Imamah Quranic Evidence for the Divine Ordination of the Imam Seven Categories of Verses of Allah’s Government in Quran (1) The Verses of Kingdom: (2) The Verses of Government: (3) The Verses of Command: (4) The Verses of Guardianship: (5) The Verses of Following: (6) The Verse of Choosing: (7) The Verse of Judgment: Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Ghadir Khum The Verse of Warning (Indhar) The Verse of Bowing (Ruku) The Verse of Guardianship Prophetic Narrations Appointing Imam Ali as Successor Twelve Leaders to Succeed the Prophet. Who are the Twelve Leaders? The Ahlul Bayt The Verse of Purity (Taharah) The Verse of Affection (Muwaddah) The Verse of Malediction (Mubahilah) The Verse of Prayer (Salat) The Verse of Feeding The Verse of Guardianship The Hadith of the Two Weighty Things (Thaqalayn) Similar Narrations from the Prophet Muhammad about his Ahlul Bayt Infallibility Intercession (Shafa‘ah) Calling Upon the Prophet and Imams for Help Imam al-Mahdi Dissimulation (Taqiyyah) Seeing Allah (Ru’yat Allah) The Prayers Upon the Prophet (Salat ‘ala an-Nabi) Issues Pertaining to the Practice of the Prayers Wiping the Feet During Ablution (Wudu) Combining the Prayers The Adhan (Call to Prayer); “Hayya ‘ala Khayril ‘Amal” (Come to the Best of Deeds) Crossing the Hands in Prayer (Takfir) Concluding the Prayers with Three Takbirs (Saying: Allahu Akbar!) Prostrating on Earth (Turbah) Why Pray on the Soil of Karbala? Prayers for the Dead (Salat al-Mayyit) Tarawih Prayers Companions of the Prophet The Wives of the Prophet Historical Facts The Event of Thursday The Suffering of Lady Fatima al-Zahra Did the Prophet Order the First Caliph to Lead the Prayers Before his Death? The Ten who are Guaranteed Paradise Abu Hurayra Differences and Misunderstandings between the Shi‘a and the Other Schools of Thought ‘Abasa Watawalla (He Frowned and Turned Away) The Father of Ibrahim and the Father of Imam Ali The Myth of the Distortion of the Noble Quran . Mushaf Fatima Naming After the Prophets and the Imams Visiting the Shrines of the Prophets and Imams “Sadaqa Allahu Al-Adheem” or “Sadaqa Allahu Al-Ali Al- Adheem” Lamentation and Mourning the Tragedies of the Prophet and His Family Three Divorces in One Session Khums in Islam Temporary Marriage (Mut‘ah) Mut‘at al-Hajj Conclusion A Call for Muslim Unity