| Name: | Maulana Sayed Mohammad Baqer Qazwini |
| Age: | NIL |
| Location: | Dearborn, Michigan |
| Expertize: | Fiqh, Social issues, theology, God’s existence, Hadith, and legal theory |
All Questions
As Salam wa alaikum, Request for clarification on something trivial, however has become something of a disagreement within my circle. 1. Were any of our Holy Imam (as) dark skinned/complexion ? If yes, 1.1. Please share Their (as) names as well. 1.2. Did They (as) face discrimination & how did They (as) address it? 2. Also, did our Imams (as) marry women of dark skin who were slaves previously ?
Salam Alaikom,
1- We have narrations that state Imam al-Jawad (a) was dark skinned. Some narrations indicate that Imam al-Redha (a) was also dark skinned.
2-Some historical accounts state that the enemies of Imam al-Redha (a) made racist remarks against him for being dark, and they would mock him. Sometimes they would even write a poem trying to disgrace the Imam for being dark. For instance, this is a racist line of poetry they said to the Imam:
وقالوا انه رب قدير *** فكم لصق السواد به لصوقا
3- Yes, a number of Imams married dark skinned women, some of whom were taken as slaves. This includes Imams al-Redha, Jawad, Hadi and Askari, peace be upon them.
Wa alaikum Salam, Thank you for your feedback, Jazakallah. In order for folks to come to terms, humbly request you also share: 1. References of our Holy Imams (as) being dark skinned which includes book, page 1, narrators so on. 2. Name of the blessed mothers of our dark skinned Imams (as), along with their lineage, origin if a slave and other relevant details. Thank you once again and also in advance!
Salam Alaikom,
1- Here’s one reference that Imam Jawad (a) was dark skinned: وقال أحمد بن صالح ، كما في دلائل الإمامة/404: (دخلت عليه وهو جالس في وسط إيوان له يكون عشرة أذرع ، قال: فوقفت بباب الإيوان ، وقلت في نفسي: يا سبحان الله ، ما أشد سمرة مولاي ، وأضوأ جسده )
Book: Dala’el al-Imamah, page 404
2- For instance, the name of Imam al-Jawad’s mother is Sabika al-Nawbiyya. Many believe she is from a village in Egypt. Imam al-Redha later named her Khayzaran.
Yes, she is called “Um Walad” in the hadiths, which means she was a slave (then freed by the Imam).
All Questions
As Salam wa alaikum, Request for clarification on something trivial, however has become something of a disagreement within my circle. 1. Were any of our Holy Imam (as) dark skinned/complexion ? If yes, 1.1. Please share Their (as) names as well. 1.2. Did They (as) face discrimination & how did They (as) address it? 2. Also, did our Imams (as) marry women of dark skin who were slaves previously ?
Salam Alaikom,
1- We have narrations that state Imam al-Jawad (a) was dark skinned. Some narrations indicate that Imam al-Redha (a) was also dark skinned.
2-Some historical accounts state that the enemies of Imam al-Redha (a) made racist remarks against him for being dark, and they would mock him. Sometimes they would even write a poem trying to disgrace the Imam for being dark. For instance, this is a racist line of poetry they said to the Imam:
وقالوا انه رب قدير *** فكم لصق السواد به لصوقا
3- Yes, a number of Imams married dark skinned women, some of whom were taken as slaves. This includes Imams al-Redha, Jawad, Hadi and Askari, peace be upon them.
Wa alaikum Salam, Thank you for your feedback, Jazakallah. In order for folks to come to terms, humbly request you also share: 1. References of our Holy Imams (as) being dark skinned which includes book, page 1, narrators so on. 2. Name of the blessed mothers of our dark skinned Imams (as), along with their lineage, origin if a slave and other relevant details. Thank you once again and also in advance!
Salam Alaikom,
1- Here’s one reference that Imam Jawad (a) was dark skinned: وقال أحمد بن صالح ، كما في دلائل الإمامة/404: (دخلت عليه وهو جالس في وسط إيوان له يكون عشرة أذرع ، قال: فوقفت بباب الإيوان ، وقلت في نفسي: يا سبحان الله ، ما أشد سمرة مولاي ، وأضوأ جسده )
Book: Dala’el al-Imamah, page 404
2- For instance, the name of Imam al-Jawad’s mother is Sabika al-Nawbiyya. Many believe she is from a village in Egypt. Imam al-Redha later named her Khayzaran.
Yes, she is called “Um Walad” in the hadiths, which means she was a slave (then freed by the Imam).
All Questions
As Salam wa alaikum, Request for clarification on something trivial, however has become something of a disagreement within my circle. 1. Were any of our Holy Imam (as) dark skinned/complexion ? If yes, 1.1. Please share Their (as) names as well. 1.2. Did They (as) face discrimination & how did They (as) address it? 2. Also, did our Imams (as) marry women of dark skin who were slaves previously ?
Salam Alaikom,
1- We have narrations that state Imam al-Jawad (a) was dark skinned. Some narrations indicate that Imam al-Redha (a) was also dark skinned.
2-Some historical accounts state that the enemies of Imam al-Redha (a) made racist remarks against him for being dark, and they would mock him. Sometimes they would even write a poem trying to disgrace the Imam for being dark. For instance, this is a racist line of poetry they said to the Imam:
وقالوا انه رب قدير *** فكم لصق السواد به لصوقا
3- Yes, a number of Imams married dark skinned women, some of whom were taken as slaves. This includes Imams al-Redha, Jawad, Hadi and Askari, peace be upon them.
Wa alaikum Salam, Thank you for your feedback, Jazakallah. In order for folks to come to terms, humbly request you also share: 1. References of our Holy Imams (as) being dark skinned which includes book, page 1, narrators so on. 2. Name of the blessed mothers of our dark skinned Imams (as), along with their lineage, origin if a slave and other relevant details. Thank you once again and also in advance!
Salam Alaikom,
1- Here’s one reference that Imam Jawad (a) was dark skinned: وقال أحمد بن صالح ، كما في دلائل الإمامة/404: (دخلت عليه وهو جالس في وسط إيوان له يكون عشرة أذرع ، قال: فوقفت بباب الإيوان ، وقلت في نفسي: يا سبحان الله ، ما أشد سمرة مولاي ، وأضوأ جسده )
Book: Dala’el al-Imamah, page 404
2- For instance, the name of Imam al-Jawad’s mother is Sabika al-Nawbiyya. Many believe she is from a village in Egypt. Imam al-Redha later named her Khayzaran.
Yes, she is called “Um Walad” in the hadiths, which means she was a slave (then freed by the Imam).
All Questions
As Salam wa alaikum, Request for clarification on something trivial, however has become something of a disagreement within my circle. 1. Were any of our Holy Imam (as) dark skinned/complexion ? If yes, 1.1. Please share Their (as) names as well. 1.2. Did They (as) face discrimination & how did They (as) address it? 2. Also, did our Imams (as) marry women of dark skin who were slaves previously ?
Salam Alaikom,
1- We have narrations that state Imam al-Jawad (a) was dark skinned. Some narrations indicate that Imam al-Redha (a) was also dark skinned.
2-Some historical accounts state that the enemies of Imam al-Redha (a) made racist remarks against him for being dark, and they would mock him. Sometimes they would even write a poem trying to disgrace the Imam for being dark. For instance, this is a racist line of poetry they said to the Imam:
وقالوا انه رب قدير *** فكم لصق السواد به لصوقا
3- Yes, a number of Imams married dark skinned women, some of whom were taken as slaves. This includes Imams al-Redha, Jawad, Hadi and Askari, peace be upon them.
Wa alaikum Salam, Thank you for your feedback, Jazakallah. In order for folks to come to terms, humbly request you also share: 1. References of our Holy Imams (as) being dark skinned which includes book, page 1, narrators so on. 2. Name of the blessed mothers of our dark skinned Imams (as), along with their lineage, origin if a slave and other relevant details. Thank you once again and also in advance!
Salam Alaikom,
1- Here’s one reference that Imam Jawad (a) was dark skinned: وقال أحمد بن صالح ، كما في دلائل الإمامة/404: (دخلت عليه وهو جالس في وسط إيوان له يكون عشرة أذرع ، قال: فوقفت بباب الإيوان ، وقلت في نفسي: يا سبحان الله ، ما أشد سمرة مولاي ، وأضوأ جسده )
Book: Dala’el al-Imamah, page 404
2- For instance, the name of Imam al-Jawad’s mother is Sabika al-Nawbiyya. Many believe she is from a village in Egypt. Imam al-Redha later named her Khayzaran.
Yes, she is called “Um Walad” in the hadiths, which means she was a slave (then freed by the Imam).
Between Lake and Sea
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943393435?tag=0101fd-20
Spirituality
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943393915?tag=0101fd-20
All Questions
Can you please recommend me some books regarding finding oneself? Or how to become closer to God? And also what God loves and such? Something with the views of ahlulbayt in english please and somewhere I can purchase them. Even just give me some names please.
I recommend the following books:
Between Lake and Sea
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943393435?tag=0101fd-20
Spirituality
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1943393915?tag=0101fd-20
All Questions
I heard about this hirz called Loh e sharaf shams and people wear it for protection, safety and such. It has symbols and characters to it? Is such a thing in islam allowed? Did the ahlulbayt allow any of these things?
I have not seen a hadith about this particular Hirz. It’s very popular in Iran and other places, but there is no hadith basis for it. It’s not haram to wear it though. I recommend wearing the Herz with the prayer of Imam Jawad (a) written in it. It’s called Herze Jawad. It’s good for protection and blessings.
1- When it comes to Namaz, of performing it causes you physical pain, then you don’t have to put yourself in pain. You should pray in a manner that doesn’t cause you pain. If doing ruku and sujud causes you pain, you don’t have to do them. You can simply stand towards Qiblah and pray, then when for Ruku you lower your head a little and say the Dhikr, then for Sujud you lower your head a little more. If standing is painful, you can sit. If sitting is painful you can lie down and pray. So you must still do Namaz, but you can choose a way that doesn’t cause you pain.
2- Allah is not angry or mad at you. But this is your trial. Through trials God gives us an opportunity to elevate our status and strengthen out spirituality. God is our coach and a good coach pushes his players to the limit not because he is mad at them but because he is training them. Allah will compensate you for every bit of suffering. Please see it that way.
3- I recommend the following to help treat your pain from a religious perspective:
One: Read this Dua everyday:
https://www.duas.org/Amn.htm
Two: pray 2 rak’as any time of day then when you finish gift it to Imam Zaman (a) and ask him to intercede for you and ask Allah to alleviate your pain. This prayer does wonders.
Three: have Hadithe Kisaa be recited on 7 dates, then eat one date each day for 7 consecutive days
Four: put your hand on the areas of pain and recite this Dua three times:
الله الله الله ربي حقاً لا أشرك به شيئا،
اللهم أنت لها ولكل عظيمة ففرجها عني
Five: recite this dua:
“Allahomma inni atawajjahu ilayka bi nabiyyika nabiyyil rahma wa ahle baytihi-lladheena khtartahom ala ilmin alal alameen. Allahomma dhallel li so'obataha wa huzunataha wakfini sharraha fa innakal kafil mo'afi wal ghalibol qaher."
It basically means you are turning to Allah through the Prophet and his family and you are asking Allah to ease this situation and relieve you from it.
Don’t give up. It’s a difficult trial, but you will make it. Allah will help you through it, and I will keep you in my prayers.
All Questions
I deal with alot of body pain. Sometimes my pain gets too much that I can’t even pray or take care of my child. I am under treatment but it’s not getting anywhere. My question is even though I feel bad about this, I feel like I am mad at God. I don’t have that right but I really cannot take it anymore. It seems like the more I pray, the worse it gets with everything. The night I pray with tears for a cure and wakeup morning with another pain. Is Allah punishing me? Is Allah mad at me? What’s something I can do for some relief islamically. Are there certain aamal or duas I can perform? Sometimes I can’t even do that because my body is in so much pain, does Allah accept worship through duas and not actual namaz because I can’t do namaz? Please let me know. I know hopelessness is a sin but at this point I have no choice but to feel hopeless.
Here are my thoughts/recommendations:
1- When it comes to Namaz, of performing it causes you physical pain, then you don’t have to put yourself in pain. You should pray in a manner that doesn’t cause you pain. If doing ruku and sujud causes you pain, you don’t have to do them. You can simply stand towards Qiblah and pray, then when for Ruku you lower your head a little and say the Dhikr, then for Sujud you lower your head a little more. If standing is painful, you can sit. If sitting is painful you can lie down and pray. So you must still do Namaz, but you can choose a way that doesn’t cause you pain.
2- Allah is not angry or mad at you. But this is your trial. Through trials God gives us an opportunity to elevate our status and strengthen out spirituality. God is our coach and a good coach pushes his players to the limit not because he is mad at them but because he is training them. Allah will compensate you for every bit of suffering. Please see it that way.
3- I recommend the following to help treat your pain from a religious perspective:
One: Read this Dua everyday:
https://www.duas.org/Amn.htm
Two: pray 2 rak’as any time of day then when you finish gift it to Imam Zaman (a) and ask him to intercede for you and ask Allah to alleviate your pain. This prayer does wonders.
Three: have Hadithe Kisaa be recited on 7 dates, then eat one date each day for 7 consecutive days
Four: put your hand on the areas of pain and recite this Dua three times:
الله الله الله ربي حقاً لا أشرك به شيئا،
اللهم أنت لها ولكل عظيمة ففرجها عني
Five: recite this dua:
“Allahomma inni atawajjahu ilayka bi nabiyyika nabiyyil rahma wa ahle baytihi-lladheena khtartahom ala ilmin alal alameen. Allahomma dhallel li so'obataha wa huzunataha wakfini sharraha fa innakal kafil mo'afi wal ghalibol qaher."
It basically means you are turning to Allah through the Prophet and his family and you are asking Allah to ease this situation and relieve you from it.
Don’t give up. It’s a difficult trial, but you will make it. Allah will help you through it, and I will keep you in my prayers.
All Questions
Some Hadiths indicate that apostates and Ghulaat (such as those wo worshipped Imam Ali) are to be executed. Some hadiths indicate that the one who slanders a prophet can also be executed. Here is an example: From Muhammad bin Muslim who said that (Imam) Abu Ja`far (al-Baaqir) (a.s.) said, "Whoever rejects the prophethood of a prophet/messenger and considers him untrue, then his blood is lawful." Source: Man La Yahdhuruhu 'l-Faqih, vol. 4, p. 76.
Scholars have diverse understandings about the apostasy and blasphemy. A number of scholars believe that these hadiths were issued in a specific context: in Muslim countries where the truth was shown to people, and the Prophet (s) had shown the truth to everyone. The one who openly slandered the Prophet (s) committed blasphemy and encouraged others to commit blasphemy. This threatened the religious security of those societies, and it would even lead to social disruptions. Therefore, to deter such potential outcomes, the hadiths stated that those who committed such blasphemy or apostasy were to be served capital punishment. Such laws also have conditions. Are they to be applied in Muslim societies only, or anywhere? Are they to be applied when the truth is clearly known to everyone, or even in an era when there is so much confusion? We cannot simply take these hadiths without understanding their conditions and context. Hence, today our scholars prohibit their followers from killing a person in non-Muslim societies if they slander the holy Prophet (s). And even in Muslim societies there are conditions to be observed.
All Questions
My sis in law has organised a henna evening for girls. Is it permissible for me to take off the hijab in such an environment? She has promised me that there will be no men.
Yes if you are confident that men will not be there (and men won’t see the recording of the event) then you can take off your Hijab at the henna gathering.
He is a very caring father and helps me with the children but when comes to me as a wife and there is no affection, love or anything
1- Ask Allah to bring you closer together. Supplication does wonders.
2- Figure out what his areas of interests are (like the topics he discusses when he is with his family or friends). Bring up those subjects with him. For example, let’s say he likes business or politics. Before he comes back home, go read to see what’s going on then discuss it with him. You’ll have to do some preparation for this but it’s worth it. You will gradually be able to get him become more and more interested in you Insha’Allah.
3- Even if this might be difficult for you in the beginning, but when you are able to (let’s say kids are sleeping or upstairs), try to entice him and physically attract him.
Some of these steps might be difficult at first, but you take the first step, and you are doing so for your own marriage. You will benefit and be at peace. So it’s well worth it. And even if the beginning he might be a little cold, keep doing it and you will reach his heart.
All Questions
My question is how can I “rebuild” my love towards my husband again? However, it’s been few months my husband does not spend any time with me!
He is a very caring father and helps me with the children but when comes to me as a wife and there is no affection, love or anything
I recommend the following:
1- Ask Allah to bring you closer together. Supplication does wonders.
2- Figure out what his areas of interests are (like the topics he discusses when he is with his family or friends). Bring up those subjects with him. For example, let’s say he likes business or politics. Before he comes back home, go read to see what’s going on then discuss it with him. You’ll have to do some preparation for this but it’s worth it. You will gradually be able to get him become more and more interested in you Insha’Allah.
3- Even if this might be difficult for you in the beginning, but when you are able to (let’s say kids are sleeping or upstairs), try to entice him and physically attract him.
Some of these steps might be difficult at first, but you take the first step, and you are doing so for your own marriage. You will benefit and be at peace. So it’s well worth it. And even if the beginning he might be a little cold, keep doing it and you will reach his heart.
Now if a company simply sells its products in Israel, then it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is supporting the state of Israel. In that case it would be fine to buy from this company.
All Questions
As per the fatwa of Ayatolaah sistani, purchasing products that support israel are haram. What is meant by 'support' ? Does it mean that any company that is selling its products in Israel, has to be compulsorily boycotted and its products become haram for us to purchase?
It means any company that supports the state of Israel and its oppressive practices. So if a company is known to donate money to the government of Israel, or it funds its unjust policies, or it empowers the state financially, then purchasing products from it is haram.
Now if a company simply sells its products in Israel, then it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is supporting the state of Israel. In that case it would be fine to buy from this company.
All Questions
I understand there are some music which is halal, and some which are haram.
I have heard, the genre I am about to ask you about is halal, but I'd like to verify if you don't mind. Would these be considered halal? This genre is usually referred to as "epic orchestral", mainly used to "make one courageous". You'll find it for training and war like movies.
Basically, according to many scholars, music that’s typical of “entertainment gatherings” (such as concerts) would be haram. I myself cannot make that assessment. If you make the genuine assessment that these types of music are usually found in entertainment gatherings, then it would be haram. And if you make the assessment that they are purely classical types of music that are not really typical of entertainment gatherings, then they are halal.
Are you able to give a little more detail on "entertainment gathering"?
The music I have asked, you will mainly hear them in war like music, they generally have no lyrics.
However, given they are a form of orchestra, you may find a band who will perform them in an opera like setting, so would this be considered an entertainment gathering?
So entertainment sessions are those sessions where such events take place:
-Dancing
-Singing haram songs (love, sex, etc...)
-Concerts
-Singers performing
So that’s what scholars mean by entertainment gatherings
All Questions
I understand there are some music which is halal, and some which are haram.
I have heard, the genre I am about to ask you about is halal, but I'd like to verify if you don't mind. Would these be considered halal? This genre is usually referred to as "epic orchestral", mainly used to "make one courageous". You'll find it for training and war like movies.
Basically, according to many scholars, music that’s typical of “entertainment gatherings” (such as concerts) would be haram. I myself cannot make that assessment. If you make the genuine assessment that these types of music are usually found in entertainment gatherings, then it would be haram. And if you make the assessment that they are purely classical types of music that are not really typical of entertainment gatherings, then they are halal.
Are you able to give a little more detail on "entertainment gathering"?
The music I have asked, you will mainly hear them in war like music, they generally have no lyrics.
However, given they are a form of orchestra, you may find a band who will perform them in an opera like setting, so would this be considered an entertainment gathering?
So entertainment sessions are those sessions where such events take place:
-Dancing
-Singing haram songs (love, sex, etc...)
-Concerts
-Singers performing
So that’s what scholars mean by entertainment gatherings