Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

151. According to the holy Quran, How many angels were sent to Mary?

Answer: When the Quran talks about Mary's pregnancy and the birth of Jesus in (Surah 3, verses 42 and 45), it mentions several angels, but in (Surah 19, verses 17-21), it only mentions one angel.

St. Mary, peace be upon her, was a conversant with angels, meaning she was someone with whom angels spoke.

In verse 42 of Surah 3 (Al-Imran), it refers to angels speaking to her, not necessarily related to her pregnancy, but in Surah 19, it is about her pregnancy.

Mary wasn't suddenly confronted by an angel for her pregnancy; rather, she had been conversing with angels before.

152. How much knowledge did “Asif bin Barkhiya” have, compare to Imam Ali’s Knowledge?

Answer: In the Quran, there are two expressions used. In one instance, regarding the knowledge of Asif,bin Barkhiya it says: "he who had knowledge from the Book " (Surah An-Naml, verse 40), 

In another instance, it says: "he who has all knowledge of the Book..." (Surah Ar-Ra'd, verse 43), 

In Usul al-Kafi, there is a lengthy narration comparing the knowledge of Asif to the knowledge of the Imams, peace be upon them. It states that Asif's knowledge was a portion of the Book, while the Imam's knowledge encompasses the entire Book, likening the proportion to a drop in the ocean.

Imam Sadiq, peace be upon him, said: "His knowledge was like a drop in the Mediterranean Sea."

153. What is the significance of Ayat al-Kursi in the Quran?

Answer: Ayat al-Kursi is considered the Master of the verses of the Quran. 

Imam Ali (AS) said: I heard from the Messenger of Allah (SAWAS) who said: “...The Quran is the master of all speech, Surah Al-Baqarah is the master of the Quran, and Ayat al-Kursi is the master of Surah Al-Baqarah. There are fifty words in Ayat al-Kursi, and in each word, there is a blessing.”

Imam Sadiq (AS) narrated: “Everything has a peak, and the peak of the Quran is Ayat al-Kursi.”

154. What can a person do, who cannot read the Quran?

Answer: Firstly, simply looking at the Quran has many rewards and effects. Narrations indicate that merely looking at the verses of the Quran is considered an act of worship and has both worldly and otherworldly benefits. The Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS) said:

“Looking at three things is an act of worship: looking at the face of one’s parents, at the Quran, and at the sea.”

Another option is listening to the Quran. For instance, they could listen to Quran recitations on TV channels, especially during Ramadan when they broadcast the Quran being read in parts. Imam Ali (AS) narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS): “The reciter of the Quran and the listener share equal rewards.”

A third option is memorizing and reciting the Surahs they have learned by heart. By listening to recordings of Surahs and memorizing them, they can recite them daily.

155. Who are the "Nasara" mentioned in the Quran? Do they still exist today?

Answer: The term "Nasara" or "Nazarene" refers to Christians who adhered to the faith brought by Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) and did not accept Islam. After the ascension of Jesus (peace be upon him), Christianity was altered, and irrational and superstitious teachings were added to their religious texts. The original book of this faith, the Gospel, was lost, and Christians instead adopted the "Holy Bible," which includes the Old Testament (the Torah and the books of the prophets of the Israelites) and the New Testament (four Gospels named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, along with several letters from early Christian leaders).

"Nazarene" and "Christian" convey the same meaning, and therefore, the current followers of Christianity are also referred to as "Nasara."

156. What Quran says about “Magic”?

Answer: the holy Quran mentions “magic and sorcery” in multiple times, affirming the existence of magic and sorcery.

It's important to understand that magic is a form of knowledge that sorcerers misuse for harmful purposes, similar to how nuclear energy, which is beneficial, can be misused to create bombs. This knowledge falls under the category of esoteric sciences, and when misused, it is called sorcery and magic.

Sorcery and magic are very rare and often not involved in the lives of most people. Typically, this knowledge was used to combat prophets and the forces of truth.

If someone believes they are affected by sorcery and their life is in turmoil, the method to nullify it is straightforward. According to Islamic traditions, reciting Surah Al-Falaq can nullify any kind of sorcery (along with Ayat Al-Kursi and Surah An-Naas and Al-Falaq).

If, after reciting these surahs, the turmoil persists, it is evident that it is not related to magic. In such a case, the causes of the issues are different and should be investigated.

157. Does Quran say that your children are your enemies?

Answer: The Quran does not say that all of your children are your enemies, but it does mention that some children can be enemies. The verse states:

"O you who have believed, indeed, among your wives and your children are enemies to you, so beware of them. But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." (Quran 64:14)

Sometimes, we are led astray by our family and their unlawful desires, which can be seen as a form of enmity. However, it's important to note that the Quran prescribes a different approach for dealing with this type of enmity compared to other enemies. While defense and combat might be necessary for other adversaries, when it comes to the enmity from wives and children, the Quran advises forgiveness and mercy. Nonetheless, one should remain vigilant and cautious to avoid falling into their traps.

158. In Surah Al-Waqi'ah, "Muqarrabun" (those brought near to Allah) are mentioned as having the highest ranks. What are their attributes?

Answer: The Quran describes the "Muqarrabun" (those brought near to Allah) as follows:

"The foremost ones are the foremost; they are the ones brought near to Allah" (56:10-11).

The Muqarrabun are not only pioneers in faith but also excel in their actions, attributes, and human virtues. They serve as role models and leaders for others, which is why they are considered close to God.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS) described these esteemed individuals: "Do you know who the foremost towards the shade of God's mercy on the Day of Judgment are?" The companions replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Prophet said, "They are those who accept the truth when it is presented to them, offer it when asked, and judge others as they judge themselves."

In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS) said, "Gabriel informed me that the foremost brought near are Ali (AS) and his followers. They are the pioneers to paradise and those nearest to Allah due to the honour He has bestowed upon them."

However, these narrations highlight specific examples of the broader concept, which encompasses all the foremost in every community and nation.

In essence, the Muqarrabun are highly self-disciplined individuals who have purified themselves from various sins and moral vices, thereby earning the nearness to Allah.

159. Why is Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) introduced as a role model in the Quran?

Answer: The Quran states, "Indeed, there is a good example for you in Ibrahim and those with him when they said to their people, 'Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah.'" (Quran, Surah Al-Mumtahanah, 60:4)

There are several reasons why Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) is considered an exemplary model:

1. Success in Divine Tests: Prophet Ibrahim successfully passed the difficult tests set by Allah. As mentioned in the Quran, "And [mention] when Abraham was tried by his Lord with commands and he fulfilled them." (Quran, 2:124) Following this success, Allah said, "Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people." (Quran, 2:124)

2. Service to the House of Allah: He served the House of Allah, as mentioned, "And [remember] when We made the House a place of reward for mankind and a sanctuary, [declaring], ‘Take the venue of prayer from Abraham’s station’ We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [with its upkeep, saying], 'Purify My House for those who circumambulate it and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate.'" (Quran, 2:125)

3. Complete Submission to Allah: Ibrahim was fully submissive to Allah, a true monotheist and a genuine Muslim. "He was upright and obedient to Allah, and he was not one of the polytheists." (Quran, 3:67)

4. Model of Patience and Devotion: He was an epitome of patience and constantly turned to Allah in repentance and devotion. "Indeed, Abraham was forbearing, grieving, and [frequently] returning [to Allah]." (Quran, 11:75)

5. Exemplary Loyalty: Ibrahim exemplified loyalty, as loyalty in the path of truth is one of the greatest virtues. "Abraham is the one who fulfilled [his obligations]." (Quran, 53:37)

6. Model of Courage: He was a model of bravery and declared with determination that he would destroy the idols. "By Allah, I will surely plan against your idols after you have turned and gone away." (Quran, 21:57)

7. Complete Role Model for Migration: He is a perfect example for migrating towards Allah. He said, "Indeed, I will emigrate to [the service of] my Lord." (Quran, 29:26)

8. Symbol of Sacrifice: Ibrahim and his son Ishmael both submitted completely to Allah's will, embodying the highest level of sacrifice. "And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead." (Quran, 37:103)

Another verse reiterates Ibrahim's exemplary status: "There has certainly been for you in them an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day." (Quran, 60:6) This emphasizes that Ibrahim and his followers are indeed a good model for those who hope for Allah's mercy and the Day of Judgment.

160. What is the meaning of “Aqeemos Salah”(establish prayer) mentioned in the Quran?

Answer: Regarding the command to "establish prayer" in the Quran, commentators explain that this phrase goes beyond the individual act of performing prayers. It implies that believers should not only pray themselves but also ensure that this strong connection with the Lord is maintained everywhere and at all times.

In the Tafsir Al-Mizan, it is mentioned that "establishing" means to uphold something in a way that all its effects are realized, and no aspect is hidden or lost. This applies to establishing justice, tradition, prayer, and testimony, the limits set by Allah, religion, and similar concepts.

As we read in the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him): "I testify that you established prayer." Here, "establishing prayer" means reviving and sustaining it, not just performing it. In the Quran, when referring to the act of performing prayer, words like "those who pray" (musalleen) are used.

As mentioned earlier, the phrase "establish prayer" (instead of "perform prayer") indicates that believers should not only pray but also work to ensure that this strong connection with the Lord remains active and widespread. Therefore, establishing prayer has a higher and more significant meaning than just individual prayer; it means reviving, maintaining, and honoring prayer within the community and among people.

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