haidermpr

Too many things had been discussed in this thread and at the same time many questions arise due to varied topics in thread starting from Hallucinogens to Wahdatul wajud.
Knowing the Allah can't be done using hallucinogens. 
Hallucinogens are normally chemical substances which causes the change in thoughts, perception, emotions, consciousness. They are mostly psychoactive substances which bring chemical changes in human brain that in turn cause diversion of consciousness. 
Taking these substances can never bring you close to understanding anything in real term instead they will provide you false hope of attaining whatever you are thinking or trying to achieve as achieved. 
Understanding Allah is one of the easiest and at the same toughest work to do.
Understanding yourselves is best way to understand Allah. 
 

I don't understand why people are raising questions on verdicts of Marja e Taqleed. In reality, these fatwas are not their own verdicts/orders instead they try hard to provide answers from Quran and hadees and in  very rare cases they provide answers using intellect and logic in which clear orders are not available.
By raising such questions, you are actually asking Marja to provide answers against teachings of Quran. 

I don't understand why people are raising questions on verdicts of Marja e Taqleed. In reality, these fatwas are not their own verdicts/orders instead they try hard to provide answers from Quran and hadees and in  very rare cases they provide answers using intellect and logic in which clear orders are not available.
By raising such questions, you are actually asking Marja to provide answers against teachings of Quran. 

What we don't know is whether or not your getting a D now affects your room for manoeuvre in the future. If it does, then your parents are right to be very upset, if it doesn't you could offer them a plan of action to remedy the situation.
As a parent myself, I know it is hard to communicate certain issues with kids.
I have found the following clip to be very useful (it comes from a movie that I don't recommend for unIslamic content).
I think sometimes it is more meaningful for advice to come from the head of a Mexican drugs cartel than a parent and certainly I have played this clip very many times to my daughter:

In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful.
Salamualaykum,
The debate with respect to the succession of the prophet [saw] is a bitter one. Shia's allege there is ample proof, and it makes the most logical and rational sense from a variety of perspectives. Sunni's allege the shia view point is due to Abdullah Ibn Saba', who likely did exist, and was a Jew who, due to muslim military success, sought to cause divisions and weaknesses among the muslims. They also allege the shia view of grader is devoid of a linguistic, contextual, and rational understanding.
I am not here to debate about Ghadeer, but to just give you a very interesting snippet. 
As a shia, i base my principles on realism, and not idealism. I do not look at a large community of people of varying competing interests, tribal feuds going back centuries, schisms and divisions, and consider them all loving of one another and upright and righteous.  We find in Saqifah, where the 'election' took place while the Prophet [saw] still had his funeral rights to be completed, The Ansaar, who are famously the community of those who had accepted Muhammed [saw], his family, and his few companions who converted, rushed to Saqifah to try and quickly nominate a leader among them.
The tradition [which will be expounded on later]:
 Musnad Ahmad, Volume 38 page 541:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَنَشُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ لَقِيطٍ النَّخَعِيُّ الْأَشْجَعِيُّ، عَنْ رِيَاحِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، قَالَ: جَاءَ رَهْطٌ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ بالرَّحْبَةِ فَقَالُوا:السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلَانَا قَالَ: كَيْفَ أَكُونُ مَوْلَاكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَرَبٌ؟ قَالُوا: سَمِعْنَا رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ غَدِيرِ خُمٍّ يَقُولُ: ” مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ، فَإِنَّ هَذَا مَوْلَاهُ ” قَالَ رِيَاحٌ:فَلَمَّا مَضَوْا تَبِعْتُهُمْ، فَسَأَلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالُوا: نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فِيهِمْ أَبُو أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ
Rabah bin al-Harith said: ‘A group of men passed by Ali in Rahba and they said: ‘Peace be upon you our master (Maula). ‘He (Ali) said: how can I be your master (Maula) and you are Arab?’ They replied: ‘We heard Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) state on the day of Ghadir: ‘Of whomsoever I am his master (Maula) then this (Ali) is his master (Maula)’.
Rabah said: ‘When they left, I followed them and asked (people): ‘Who are they?’ They answered: ‘They are group from Ansar and Abu Ayub al-Ansari is among them”.
Shu’aib al-Arnaoot said: ‘The chain is Sahih’  
 
Here are some critical points :
1. The Ansaar has already expressed fears of being maligned , because of their tribal heritage [they were not from the Quraysh] as well as the fact they were not from the Muhajiroon. They were worried that after all they had done for Islam, power, authority, and influence would not go to them, but to the minority Muhajiroon.
2. They were probably aware beforehand of an attempt by the Muhajiroon , and by this i mean a few members such as Abu Bakr, Umar, et al, to gain power after the death of the Prophet [saw]. If anyone truly believes while the Prophet [saw] was dying and in his lines, no-one sought to even think about who would lead them after him, then i would say that is extreme naivety, with due respect. Power has the ability to turn even good man bad. The ability to take the role and position of a man who had religious, moral, and vast political authority was probably an extremely attractive position, which would truly have tested the real character of a number of men at the time.
3. The Ansaar [and by this i only mean a group of their influential leaders, rather than all of them or all the leaders], who were worried about this , secretly gathered among themselves without informing any of the Muhajiroon, which really makes it far more plausible they were worried about the Muhajiroon ascending to power , or heard of an attempt or discussion among them to gain power, and so sought to pre-empt this.
4. It is interesting here to note, many shia writers don't actually believe the Ansaar in and of themselves sought to ignore Ghadeer. What had likely happened was they had known Ali ibn Abi Talib [as], the most just one, was going to be maligned, under people who wanted power, rather than being righteous. Thus, the instructions of the prophet [saw] were now torn up , and whoever could exert influence and vie for power would win.
 
The Ansaar at Saqifah:
Interestingly, we find that the some among Ansaar at Saqifah [although the strength of these chains is disputed, nonetheless, they are important to cite] alluded to wanting Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] to lead. The context of the following is when the Ansaar are told of the superiority of the Muhajiroon and of the names given is that of Ali ibn Abi Talib [as]:
‘We do not deny the merits of those you have mentioned. Indeed there is among you a person with whom if he seeks authority, none will dispute [i.e. Ali]‘.
Tarikh, by al Yaqubi, Volume 2 page 113-114, quoted from History of Tabari, Volume 9 English translation by Ismail Poonawalla p 193 – 194
Just to note, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Abu Ubaydah were already present at Saqifah when the scuffle was taking place. The greatest man on that list according to sunni's by consensus [as Uthman was not mentioned] was Ali ibn Abi Talib [as]. It could only have been him the was meant, even by logic of our sunni brothers/sisters in islam. This is evident given he was not present, and they had said that one of the men in the list they would not have disputed and if they wanted authority , they would not dispute it.
  [Tarikh -At Tabari[: Ibn Humayd-Jarir - Abu Ma'shar Ziyad b. Mughzrahl-Kulayb-Abu Ayyub-Ibrahim- 
"The Ansar gathered in a roofed building (sagifah)12s9 of the Banu Sa'idah to render their oath of allegiance to Sa'd b. Ubadah. This news reached Abu Bakr, so he came to them with'Umar and Abu'Ubaydah b. al-Jarrah, asking [them] why [they had gathered]. They replied, "Let us have a ruler (amir) from us and another from you." Abu Bakr said, "The rulers (umard') will be from us, and the viziers (wuzard') from you." Abu Bakr then added, "I am pleased [to offer] you one of these two men: 'Umar or Abu 'Ubaydah. Some people came to the Prophet asking him to send a trustworthy man with them. The Messenger of God said that he  would send a truly trustworthy man with them, and he sent Abu 'Ubaydah b. al-Jarrah. I am pleased [to offer] you Abu 'Ubaydah." 'Umar stood up saying, "Who among you would be agreeable to leave Abu Bakr whom the Prophet gave precedence? 11290 and he gave him the oath of allegiance. The people followed ['Umar]. The Ansar said, or some of them said, "We will not give the oath of allegiance [to anyone] except 'Ali." 
 
The authentic [according to sunni's] narration of Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] given at the start:
 Musnad Ahmad, Volume 38 page 541:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَنَشُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ لَقِيطٍ النَّخَعِيُّ الْأَشْجَعِيُّ، عَنْ رِيَاحِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ، قَالَ: جَاءَ رَهْطٌ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ بالرَّحْبَةِ فَقَالُوا:السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَوْلَانَا قَالَ: كَيْفَ أَكُونُ مَوْلَاكُمْ وَأَنْتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَرَبٌ؟ قَالُوا: سَمِعْنَا رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ غَدِيرِ خُمٍّ يَقُولُ: ” مَنْ كُنْتُ مَوْلَاهُ، فَإِنَّ هَذَا مَوْلَاهُ ” قَالَ رِيَاحٌ:فَلَمَّا مَضَوْا تَبِعْتُهُمْ، فَسَأَلْتُ مَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ؟ قَالُوا: نَفَرٌ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ فِيهِمْ أَبُو أَيُّوبَ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ
Rabah bin al-Harith said: ‘A group of men passed by Ali in Rahba and they said: ‘Peace be upon you our master (Maula). ‘He (Ali) said: how can I be your master (Maula) and you are Arab?’ They replied: ‘We heard Allah’s Apostle (pbuh) state on the day of Ghadir: ‘Of whomsoever I am his master (Maula) then this (Ali) is his master (Maula)’.
Rabah said: ‘When they left, I followed them and asked (people): ‘Who are they?’ They answered: ‘They are group from Ansar and Abu Ayub al-Ansari is among them”.
Shu’aib al-Arnaoot said: ‘The chain is Sahih’ 
 
 
Points based on the above narration:
1. This hadith is very revealing. It shows that Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] or arabs of that time looked at the meaning of Mawla to mean master as one of the meanings. Interestingly of all people to demonstrate this, it is none other than Ali ibn Abi Talib [as]! If friend, companion, or beloved are more common meanings, why do we find Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] devoid of any context to the term Mawla, immediately assuming they mean he is their master ?
2. Did Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] forget, infant of tens of thousands on the day of Ghadeer, Muhammed [saw] had said whoevers Mawla he was, Ali was also his Mawla? Therefore, surely, if Mawla meant friend and beloved in that context, and this is how Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] saw it, he of all people should have immediately recognised that the companions here referred to a meaning of one being beloved? Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] was intelligent and had a wit. 
3. It was pretty obvious they were not his slaves, but they were freemen. Thus, one must question what Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] was getting at by interpreting the word Mawla to mean master here. According to shiapen: "Clearly it was different, Maula here clearly denotes authority, which is why the Imam (as) sought to ascertain from the Ansar why they had addressed him in a manner that made them subservient to him, on account of his authority over them, when they were Arab (as in free men).  It was to this that they affirmed this authority over them had been established at Ghadir Khumm."
 
Concluding points:
1. The Ansaar were well aware of what some among the muhajiroon who wished for power were planning, and so sought to pre-empt this and select a leader of their own. Rather than being subjugated, ignored, and pushed to the sidelines - as was a worry for the [some among] Ansaar , they wanted one from among themselves. They knew that people had planned to go against the appointment of Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] and so perhaps recognised now really was a time when men and lust for power was in the ascendency.
2. It is quite clear from the narrations that some among the Ansaar wanted the selection of Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] as the leader. They seemed to have no qualms over Ali a.s , but did have an issue over some among the muhajiroon ignoring what the Prophet [saw] had commanded and vying for power. No doubt, some among the ansaar themselves may have wanted to vye for power anyway, either out of longing for it or insecurity, but there was also a voice who now recognised the rightful leader after Muhammed [saw] would be maligned by others plotting against him.
3. Some among the Ansaar, such as Abu Ayyub [ra] are recognised as those who returned to Ali ibn Abi Talib [as] after being in a period of confusion/shaken as to what to do after the death of the Prophet [saw] , at a time were few stood firm. This is actually noted down in shia hadith, so it is an interesting occurrence that the same Abu Ayyub is noted here.
 
The following article from shiapen expounds on the above much more thoroughly and is an interesting read. For sake of brevity, my own views and thoughts i have written above, and all mistakes are my own. I do not believe in the appointment of Ali [as] based on above, as its is a theoretical view point, and i have far stronger indicators, such as Ghadeer among others, but it does make extremely logical sense, historically speaking, and is backed up by dale [evidence]: http://www.shiapen.com/comprehensive/saqifa/some_crucial_observations.html

No he is not half or full Roman. All Aimma e Ahlebait as are muslim and there is no doubt about it. 
We don't believe fabricated hadith of Jews/christians like many other sects. 
 

Below are major reasons because of which GCC puppets of AmeriKKKa boycotted Qatar-
1.       Qatar refused to become a part of enemy forces against Iran. Qatar regime raised objections for Saudi hostilities against Iran. Emir of Qatar congratulated Hasan Rouhani after winning the election which didn’t go well with Saudi rulers.  
2.       Qatar supports Hamas group and residents of Gaza and it didn’t sit well with AmeriKKKan plan of things. KSA is a puppet of USA and working according to their masters regarding the Palestine.
3.       Al Jazeera though not 100% impartial but used to publish reports of Saudi atrocities against Yemeni people and other netizens in Middle East.
4.       It is well known fact that Qatar supports Muslim brotherhood and it supported Morsi regime of Egypt which was overthrown by Sisi. Morsi was a member of MB. Qatar sees the rise of MB in future as force to reckon and hence supporting it financially.
Problem is Qatar not a self sustained country like Iran. It depends heavily on KSA and UAE for its food supplies. By blocking and cutting all relations, KSA trying to starve Qatar or to align with its line of thinking. Iran should provide food supplies to Qatar via sea and Iran foreign ministry already said so. Iran is ready to export food to Qatar and time for delivery will be around 12 hours.
Qatar as such a wahabi country but has certain differences with KSA form of wahabism.

Below are major reasons because of which GCC puppets of AmeriKKKa boycotted Qatar-
1.       Qatar refused to become a part of enemy forces against Iran. Qatar regime raised objections for Saudi hostilities against Iran. Emir of Qatar congratulated Hasan Rouhani after winning the election which didn’t go well with Saudi rulers.  
2.       Qatar supports Hamas group and residents of Gaza and it didn’t sit well with AmeriKKKan plan of things. KSA is a puppet of USA and working according to their masters regarding the Palestine.
3.       Al Jazeera though not 100% impartial but used to publish reports of Saudi atrocities against Yemeni people and other netizens in Middle East.
4.       It is well known fact that Qatar supports Muslim brotherhood and it supported Morsi regime of Egypt which was overthrown by Sisi. Morsi was a member of MB. Qatar sees the rise of MB in future as force to reckon and hence supporting it financially.
Problem is Qatar not a self sustained country like Iran. It depends heavily on KSA and UAE for its food supplies. By blocking and cutting all relations, KSA trying to starve Qatar or to align with its line of thinking. Iran should provide food supplies to Qatar via sea and Iran foreign ministry already said so. Iran is ready to export food to Qatar and time for delivery will be around 12 hours.
Qatar as such a wahabi country but has certain differences with KSA form of wahabism.

Salam. You are familiar with the word Imam because he is the one who leads the prayer in the masjid. Iran has many Islamic scholars because Islam says that if you know something teach it to someone else. See this quote which mentions the titles of Islamic ranks from student to Imam:
In Iran the highest ranking religious scholar is called 'Imam' which is the shortened form of 'Nāyib-i Imām' meaning Lieutenant of The Imam. The Imam is the 12th Imam, Imam Zaman, Imam Mahdi, may Allah hasten his reappearance. 

Islam is the religion of Ibrahim Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã originally, Arab pagans had manipulated it, but a small circle within Quraysh, the Prophet (s), his ancestors, Imam Ali Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã had preserved that pure tradition. Evidence for this is that they never bowed and fell in prostration toward an idol before Wahy (Islam in its strict sense) comes to Prophet (s), while the rest of Quraysh (including the three khalipfa) did worship idols and practiced paganism for some period of their lives, hence the difference in respecting them in Sunni world, Sunnis say "radia Allah anhu" (May Allah be pleased with him) for three khalifs, but for Imam Ali Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã they say "Karram Allah wajhahu" (May Allah Honor his face- for it is a face that never fell in prostration to any idol) Though after the rise of Nasibi Salafi movement, they (Salafis) tried to wipe away this distinction by insisting on "radia Allah 'anhu" for Imam Ali Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã.
 
To prove what saying exactly? That the people in Zurkhana like to remember Imam Ali Úáíå ÇáÓáÇã? That doesn't mean the Imam himself went to Zurkhana.
I have the habit of remembering the Prophet (s) by repeating Salawat whenever I get on a plane and look at the earth from above, does that mean there should be evidence for the Prophet (s) mentioning the plane or boarding on it once?

Dear Salam alaikum,
Whatever questions you raised in this thread are nothing new and people used to even curse Aisha because of all those things she had done against the will of Prophet saww and ahlulbait as.
I would like to answer your questions by posting few questions to you and all other members.
What was Maula Ali as attitude towards Aisha? Even after the Jamal war Maula Ali as sent her back to Medina with proper care. when people raised questions on property and wives of slain people as booty of war, Imam Ali as silenced the opposition by asking who will own Aisha who is mother of faithful according to Quran. Is there any evidence in historical accounts where our Imam as did something wrong to Aisha? So better to avoid saying anything against her and wait for arrival of Qaem atfs so that we can get clear pictures of everything and act according to His teachings.

O! My master, Mahdi a.s, Peace and Blessing of Allah AWJ be upon you,
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, I heard my brother who suggested me to talk to you, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, who lives far away yet is so near, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, I want to tell you, I love you my dear, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, my love for you, is like the love of calf to her she-camel, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, I want to see you always at an elevated place, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, but I wish that, there should also be another place, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, besides sitting on the mimbar e Rasool, 
O! My Master, Mahdi a.s, I wish that if you could sit on the shoulder of this your servant fool.
For this will make me rich both among the humans and angels, 
The humans would want a wish like me and the angels will always in happiness will hail. 

I don't think it is related to current technological advancement. Even in this particular hadith, it clearly states that if you are not sure then look into your palm and act upon what is mentioned. 
This simply means these smartphones are not discussed in this hadith as smartphone needed to use search engines to get the million of results for your questions. And you have to decide which answer is best suited to your queries whereas according to hadith, answer will be definite and you need to obey the order written on your palm. That simply means it will be divine power by which Imam عجّل الله تعالى فرجه الشريف will inform his governors/helpers to act rightly in case of any confusion/problem. 

Lottery is nothing more than gambling and game of chances. Many families destroyed because of this vicious game of lottery and there should not be any doubt in our mind regarding the same.
We don't need to disrespectful to anyone doesn't matter person is alive or deceased. 
We can put forward our views without disrespecting others.

I think now iwould agree with you because I re looked at things even the Jews belive this . The musliums will re take Jerusalem ( sufyani ) so Israel will either give it or fall . Fall by the Jews ofcourse, here's what's interesting the " believing " Jews say Israel shouldn't exist until the messiah comes, so it will be something like this : 
haredi / Orthodox Jews topple or take power or give Jerusalem 
jerusalem is taken by sufyani ( Palestine ) 
the jews re take it and this time will come out with a " messiah " or false messiah from a Muslim point of view 

and secondly is that Ahlulbayt AS was not after power or anything like that they didnt care for such things and when they is Imam of All Momineen so why should they go and kill abu bakr and omar and uthman to take over caliphate and if they did you guys now would have said that he was after power but he was not he is Wali of Allah swt and does what Allah orders him to do and abu bakr and omar and uthman was after power and money only nothing else

Brother you partially correct. You are right that first 3 caliphs were usurpers who falsely took over the rein of umma'h but they were not all. According to their history, Islamic caliphate starts with Abubakr and ends with Abdulmejid thani of Ottoman caliphate. 
Apart from caliphate of Hazrat Ali (as) and Imam Hasan (as), rest of the caliphs were wrong and usurped the rights of Ahlulbayt (as).
May Allah curse all the enemies of Ahlulbait (as).

Surah Nisa ayat no 24, talk about the contractual marriage ie Mut'ah.
So, when you have contracted temporary marriage [istimt'atum] with them, then give them their words [mehr; predefined contractual money]. There is no sin on you for whatever you agree to after this. Indeed, Allah is all Knowing, Wise.
All those who are trying to demean Islam in the name of Mut'ah and at the same time asking Muslim to modernise; must check their double standards. Most of the religions are not anywhere close to providing such freedom to its women folk. Islam is the first religion in the world which accepted woman as a different entity of God rather than a property in male dominated world. Islam gives them freedom to choose their partners and also the right over their bodies. After more than 1400 years of Islam, modern world currently talks about these rights of woman which are enshrined in Islamic teachings.
Islam provided men and women legal way of living together without any social stigma. Still debates are going on about live-in relationships in the world including in our own country. Islam is the religion which offered the freedom to have a live-in relationship more than 1400 years ago and the world is still not sure about it.
Even then, so-called pseudo intellectuals constantly bash Islam over the rights of women. On one hand these champion of women's rights demand freedom for them, but on the other hand they claim that Nikah Mut'ah is nothing more than prostitution.
Nikah Mut'ah is a system where you can live in society with a man without feeling guilty or facing bashing from society for your deeds that are applicable to both the genders. However, in prostitution, women are forced to provide the pleasure of their bodies to men.
Some intellectuals believe that it was a system which was devised to fulfill the carnal desires of men who used to go on long expeditions and wars. That is a completely wrong notion attributed to Islam just like many others, and being said without carrying out any kind of research on the subject. Whatever they say is purely based on heresy and botched-up articles of ill-informed people. The system of temporary marriage was ordered keeping in mind the requirements of both genders.
Further discussion on the topic will be done in next few articles. Thanks in advance to all the readers of merinews.com.
for further reading plz click the below link
http://www.merinews.com/article/nikah-mutah-temporary-marriage-in-islam-is-not-prostitution-instead-it-is-freedom-to-both-men--women/15924635.shtml
Kindly put forward your own views, study, research on the subject matter.

bro i agree with u i meant banu umayya and banu abbasids not all bro

Brother you partially correct. You are right that first 3 caliphs were usurpers who falsely took over the rein of umma'h but they were not all. According to their history, Islamic caliphate starts with Abubakr and ends with Abdulmejid thani of Ottoman caliphate. 
Apart from caliphate of Hazrat Ali (as) and Imam Hasan (as), rest of the caliphs were wrong and usurped the rights of Ahlulbayt (as).
May Allah curse all the enemies of Ahlulbait (as).

Even Tarikh e Tabari reports this thing. 

Salam 
According to my understanding this would not be about mobile phones because the Hadith says whatever it says act upon it. These generals will be the 313 who each will be appointed in every province/country etc. They will have special powers. 
However, I do believe the invention of mobile phones is related to aliens or some kind of being that's related to the dajjal. As the dajjal will try to mimic the powers our imams (as) had and will have. Let's not forget iblees (la) was a high rank jinn in heaven before he got expelled same with dajjal he will mix goodness with bad 

They are not at the same level as the ma`sumeen, but they are just below that. The narrations indicate that they will have more patience than 50 sahabis, that they will be purified and refined like gold (fitna only makes their faith stronger), that they will have most of the components of prophethood, that they will be able to see and hear their Imam from long distances, that their strong faith will give them great physical strength, etc. There is one narration I've seen (though I can't seem to find it right now) which says that they will have a moment of doubt at some point, which shows that they aren't "perfect". But, from all of the other narrations, it is fair to say that they share a lot of qualities with the ma`sumeen.

It's allowed.
Everything which isn't specifically prohibited is allowed. Ask your friends to show you the evidence. 

Well king Abdullah Jordan does have a swollen face :).....yes it also says white spots in his eye I've zoomed in on his face and you can see white spots. I believe Hadith says swollen eye, I've got a pic of king Abdullah Jordan when he was a child and you can blatantly see this swollen eye. In fact he still has a swollen eye if you look at his face properly, but in his childhood is extremely evident. I tried attaching the pic on this post but only 512 kb is allowed to upload. 
The five areas to be conquered by Sufyani is mentioned by Imam Sadiq (as) and it was hisham al hakam a very close companion of Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) who mentioned these five areas to be Palestine, Jordan, homs, halab, and Damascus as hisham al hakam heard it from Imam Sadiq (as). I think that should be enough for us to presume Palestine is also part of these conquered areas. Let's not forget king Abdullah Jordan's wife is Palestinian, Palestinians account over 50% of Jordan's population, also king Abdullah Jordan is an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause.