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Salam, Sistani (may Allah bless him) is a true representation of how a true and pious muslim should act. Sistani's love for ahlulbayt (as) reflects through his personality and words. I have been following him and he seems like a very peaceful and a very wise man. I just went through his statement on Shia Sunni unity and it is truly amazing knowing how loving he is towards our Sunni brothers/sisters. I wish more Sunni scholars had let go of their egos and put aside the differences and consider us shias as muslims (not these kafir labels). Sistani is a huge Shia figure and for him to say the following words, shows how less of an ego he has. Most scholars today unfortunately love to attack other sects and label them "kafir". This is nothing but ignorance by imposing your own views. I have realised that this is why Shia Sunni unity can't happen because many sunni scholars aren't willing to associate with us Shias. Name me a Sunni scholar(a very big figure) who would be so open-minded for a Sunni to pray in a Shia mosque. The following are some of his statements: - "There is no real difference between Shiite and Sunni beliefs, and I am the servant of all Iraqis [either Sunni or Shiite],” he emphasizes. “I love everyone, and this religion [Islam] is the religion of love,”. - "We should attend Sunnis’ Friday prayers more than Shiite’s. We do not discriminate between Arabs and Kurds, and Islam has collected all of us" - "This kind of conferences are highly important, since they help Shiites and Sunnis find out that there is no real difference between their beliefs, and the difference simply is on legal (Fiqh) issues" I don't mean to attack my Sunni brothers and sisters but It hurts me when we are labelled 'Kafir' by Sunnis. Why can't we all put our fiqh issues aside and be one unit. Going to a sunni mosque in my university and praying in our Shia way leaves such a "frightened look" in so many sunnis faces.

I think it is quite obvious that Shiachat is very silent these days. I had a long absence due to personal commitments. This said I was quite shocked (so to speak) to find out that Shiachat is not what it has been before. I do not know the exact reason but I think it might be due to people finding posts repetitive, boring and not exciting. The 2013-era is indeed dead to quote Nietzsche. I mean some initiatives can be made to make the place more engaging. I won't mention my personal intentions, which I think have been well established. However, if an admin wants an elaboration (note: only an admin), they can contact me on PM). And these are my last words: Walhamdulillahi rabil alameen, wa salalahü ala Tâha wa Ahle Taha.

As-salam-o-aliakum. Most of irani scholors have issued fatwas that namaz is invalid when third testimony is recited (in tashahud) and recitation of third testimony in azaan and iqamah considering it a part of it makes them invalid as well. My Questions: 1) Is it okay to recite third testimony in kalima or not? 2) If one considers it a part of kalima then it (kalima) is valid or not? 3) If one believes that Ali(A.S) was rightful successor of Muhammad S.A.W and doesn't consider third testimony a part of kailma and doesn't recite it in kalima then would he be a shia? 4) What is the evidence of third testimony? Has Muhammad S.A.W ever recited it? Any proofs? 5) If it is only to be said with the niyat of dua etc what is the evidence of it (evidence connected with Muhammad S.A.W)? 6) "Ali un Wali ullah is written on the doors of heaven(etc)" is it a truth? If yes then the thing that invalidates namaz and azan, whats the purpose of it being there? 7) Where in quran, third testimony is mentioned? if yes then how come it invalidates namaz and azaan? 8) Where in quran, two testimonies shahadatein have been mentioned? (word) 9) If Third testimony IF is a part of kailma, what do we testify in namaz then? (Tashahud and its meaning). Isn't that hypocrisy of us shias? 10) In which hadith, is there complete azaan from "Allah hu AKbar" to "La ilaha illalah "? Please let your ans precede the number of question you want to ans. Thanks. Ws-Salam.

Condolences to the Imam of our time, Imam Sahib uz-Zamaan (atfs) on martyrdom anniversary of Janabe Mohsin (a.s.), the unborn child of Imam Ali (a.s.) and Janabe Fatema Zehra (s.a.). May Allah's سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى curse be upon the killer of Janabe Mohsin (a.s.) and those who were satisfied with the event. https://www.seratonline.com/8668/hazrat-mohsin-ibn-ali-a-s-a-victim-of-oppression-and-terrorism/ I do not see the event in SC Calendar sister @Hameedeh

Assalaamu `alaykum, all. Having a great love for Mawla `Ali (karramAllahu wajhahu) and swords in general, I thought I'd do some research into the famed Dhu-l Faqar; perhaps one day I might order a reproduction made to the specifications outlined below:1. Arab swords of the early Islamic era were similar in almost every way to either the Roman spatha or the Sassanid longsword, i.e. they were straight and double-edged (the saber was an innovation originating in Central Asia, not finding its way to the Persians or Arabs until much later). The highest quality were made in Yemen from imported wootz ingots (made in southern India). They were uniformly worn hung from a baldric; wearing a sword on one's hip on a belt was not customary (in fact it seems to have been looked down upon) for the Arabs.2. I have effectively ruled out its name referring to a bifurcation of the tip or serration of the edges (as we see on Shī`ī pendants and Indo-Pakistani interpretations). Bifurcation of the tip would make a sword structurally unsound (particularly with the desired impact area being roughly the upper third of the blade), and such a measure would be ludicrous to as ferocious a warrior as `Alī (`alayhi salām); such a sword would not have been one famously used by him. Serration of the edge (such as on the medieval Flamberge), while indeed effectively improving the performance of a cut-centric sword (as spathae were), was not innovated until much later in history. Thus I have determined that the name either has to do with cleaving/separating (the vertebrae, specifically), or referring to a particularly intricate fuller design it may have incorporated (fiqr is a word meaning fine engraving). As it was quite ordinary for spathae to have multiple (quite attractive) fullers, I'm leaning more toward translating its name as "Lord of Cleaving."3. By investigating Ibn al-Qayyim's "Zād ul-Ma`ād" and Imām Tirmidhī's "Shamā'il," I have determined the parts of Dhū-l Faqār's furniture which were made of silver, and they are as follows:-Bikrāh: these are the part of the scabbard which attach to the rings through which the baldric straps are fed.-Dhu'ābah: this would usually refer to the lanyard hung from the pommel (used for weapon retention and decoration), but since this is mentioned along with those features made of silver, I have to assume this refers to a ring through which the lanyard was strung.-Na`l: this is the decorative (and protective) endcap at the base of the scabbard, also called chape. Not to be confused with chappe.-Halqah: throat (chappe). As spathae featured both a chappe on the scabbard and the hilt, I shall thus apply it to both. Note that the chappe of a spatha's hilt tended to be incorporated into the larger (usually) shoulder-style rounded handguard.-Qabī`ah: pommel cap and handle accents.4. The blade will resemble in length, width, and taper, that of a typical 7th-century Roman spatha. It should have a roughly spatulate tip. I have decided on a U-shaped fuller; this would be a double-fuller which is joined at the tip (and matches a picture I found of the Fatimid iconography).5. As I mentioned, the best quality swords made by the Arabs were made in Yemen, which had considerable Persian influence at the time. So why isn't this sword being made in the Sassanid longsword style? I'm not assuming Dhū-l Faqār was a Yemeni-made sword, because there is a hadīth which mentions that one of the swords (not named, unfortunately) belonging to RasūlAllāh ﷺ (as Dhū-l Faqār originally did) was made in the style of the Bani Hanīfah. This tribe inhabited the Yamāmah region, which is part of modern-day Najd; far from Persian influence. Furthermore, all of the anatomical features mentioned above are indicative of Roman style. None of the Sassanid longswords I've seen has incorporated them as described, while every spatha has.So that's where I am now. I've still got a lot of research to do for ideas on the particular style of decoration I'm going to use for the mountings. I've seen some examples from the period that experts aren't sure are Byzantine or Arab, so it's safe to assume Byzantine and Arab weaponry incorporated similar, if not identical, motifs.So what's everyone think of my sword ijtihād so far? Input is welcome!

How did "Allah" make its way to viking clothes? @andres What you think? On viking graves were found fabrics which say "Allah" &"Ali" https://youtu.be/HqCgamq3_1o Muslim vikings and magic letters :the odd history of Runes Pt1 https://youtu.be/BwAYkYHmQ5k Swedish vikings wearing Allah fabric?

Salaam all, Without a doubt the consensus among the Marja appears to be that testifying Ali (as) is the Wali of Allah in the athaan is mustahab (recommended) and I myself encourage taqlid in fiqh. But what is everyone's opinion on this despite:- i.) classical ulema not doing it (ie, saduq). ii.) the imams (as) not doing it. Looking at this objectively it appears this is a bid'at which has crept in through the backdoor just like zanjeer rituals? I do not mean to hurt any feelings, this is merely an objective discussion for us to follow the ahl al bayt (a.s) https://shiareformist.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/ali-un-waliullah-in-adhan.pdf Disclaimer : I do not necessarily agree with any of the content posted on the website above.

Asaalaamualaikum, I'm a Hanafi Sunni and I have recently been researching the conquests conducted after the death of Rasoolullah (saw) and tbh this is quite a depressing subject to read about. Abu Bakr waged a war against Byzantium, Umar invaded Persia, Uthman invaded East Africa and Afghanistan, the Ummayads took the rest of North Africa and Spain and so on and so on... etc. But I think to myself... WHY? to me... all of this sounds like ISIS ideology... just expansion on steroids. Is it really an Islamic belief that we should conquer the world and enforce sharia on everyone? Id likes to think not. However, one interesting thing that caught my attention is that Hazrat Ali (RA) didn't take part in any conquests after the death of Rasoolullah. My Question is that is this completely true and if so then why? Many sunnies would say that it was because he was a valuable asset to the ummah and therefore stayed in Madinah and helped the Khalifas with state affairs. But that just doesn't add up, because Ali (RA) fought in all the major battles (Badr, Uhud, Khaybar etc.) and indeed he was a great warrior. SO WHAT IS THE REAL REASON THAT ALI (RA) DIDNT TAKE PART IN THESE CONQUESTS???? PLEASE EXPLAIN (USING REFERENCES)

Surah Al Baqarah, 117th Ayat بَدِيعُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلأَرۡضِ‌ۖ وَإِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمرً۬ا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ ۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ The Originator of the heavens and the earth; and when He decrees an affair, He only says to it, “Be”, and it is. ------ Surah Al Lahab, 1st Ayat .تَبَّتْ يَدَآ أَبِى لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he. ------ Some commentators have also translated the above ayat as 'May the hands of Abu Lahab be broken, and tabba to mean: may he perish of he perished. Q. Allah says be and it is then as soon as this ayat was revealed for Abu Lahab his should have broken or should have perished right on the sametime as Allah had made a decision then why did not it break? And please don't come up with assumptions of your own such as this ayat being metaphorical etc... Something authentic should come as a reply.

SalamAlaykum Brothers and sisters A question that came in my mind was, Do we have any narrations of the Caliphs attacking the Daughter of the Prophet in our Books? And if yes are they Authentic. I'm not doubting the event but one must look through subjective lenses. Would really appreciate if brothers/sisters share Hadiths on this platform.

Assalam-O-Alaikum My Shia brothers and Sisters in Islam. May Allah Have Mercy upon you All Aameen. First, My English is not Good, I hope you will understand my words . Can anyone please tell me what is the Dream Meaning if someone sees Imam Ali (AS) in Green Clothes? Jazaak Allah Khair !!

Salam! Did Imam Ali (as) love Um al baneen like he loved Fatima al zahra? Or did he marry her just so that she could take care of Imam Hussein and imam Hassan?

ذهبت ولم تلبس منها بشيء The prophet when the body of Uthman passed by: “You have gone without involving yourself in any of it (the Dunya)” A Monastic Life? Uthman loved to worship Allah, this reached such an extent that he decided to lead a monastic lifestyle and disengage himself from all the fleeting things of this world including conjugal relations. The prophet intervened to explain to him why that would be against the Sunna. - Abi Abdillah عليه السلام said: The wife of Uthman b. Madh`un came to the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله and said: O messenger of Allah, Uthman b. Madh`un fasts in the day time and spends the whole night standing in worship, so the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله came out whilst angry and carrying his slippers [in his hands] until he reached Uthman and found him praying. When Uthman saw that it was the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله he cut-off his prayer. He [the prophet] said to him: O Uthman, Allah the Exalted did not send me with monasticism rather he sent me with a simple and lenient Hanifiyya. I fast and pray but also interact with my wives, so whoever loves my character should follow my Sunna, and marriage is part of my Sunna. - Sa`ib b. Abi al-Waqqas said: When the affair of Uthman b. Madh`un - who was one of those who abandoned women - occurred, the messenger of Allahصلى الله عليه وآله sent for him and said: O Uthman, I have not been ordered to lead a monastic life, do you seek something else apart from my Sunna? He said: No, O messenger of Allah. He [the prophet] said: part of my Sunna is to pray and then sleep, I sometimes fast and at other times eat, I marry and divorce, so whoever seeks something apart from my Sunna then he is not from me. O Uthman, your wife has a right over you, and your own body has a right over you. Sa`d said: by Allah, there was a group of Muslim men who were ready and willing to castrate themselves and become celibate if the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله had allowed Uthman to continue in what he had done. - Uthman b. Madh`un said: O messenger of Allah - I desire to to become celibate, the prophet said: wait Uthman, the celibacy of my Umma is fasting and prayers. Uthman said: I desire to lead a wandering life [like some monks], the prophet said: wait Uthman, the wandering life of my Umma is to remain in the Masjid and wait for the next Salat after the last one finishes. Uthman said: I desire not to eat meat [to become a vegetarian], the prophet said: wait Uthman, for I myself do eat meat and enjoy it, if I could have it every day I would, and if I were to ask Allah for that He would give it to me. Uthman said: O prophet of Allah, may my father and mother be sacrificed for you - I desire not to use perfume ever, the prophet said: wait Uthman, for I do use perfume and I like fragrance, and it is my Sunna and the Sunna of the prophets before me. The Prophet’s Grief Uthman participated in the battle of Badr in the year 2 AH and went on to die soon after, becoming the first Muhajir to die in Madina and the first to be buried in Baqi. The prophet grieved at his death. - Aisha said: I saw the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم kissing the dead of body of Uthman b. Madh`un until I saw his tears flowing. - Abi Abdillah عليه السلام said: the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه kissed Uthman b. Madh`un after his death. How do you Know? There is an interesting exchange which happened between the prophet and a woman after Uthman's death. - Abi Abdillah عليه السلام said: the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله heard a woman saying after the death of Uthman b. Madh`un: glad tidings of paradise to you O Abu al-Sa`ib [i.e. Uthman]! so the prophet said to her: and how do you know [that he is in paradise]? it is enough for you to say: he used to love Allah Mighty and Majestic and His prophet … The prophet rebuked the woman to teach us to avoid complacency and a false sense of security. A Gravestone The prophet did not leave the grave of Uthman without marking it so that he can recognize its location and come visit him. - Ali b. Abi Talib عليه السلام said: when Uthman b. Madh`un died, the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله kissed him, and when he had buried him he sprinkled water on top of the soil of the grave and stretched out a piece of cloth over the grave. He [Uthman] was the first person over whose grave the prophet stretched out a cloth. The prophet went on to level the soil of the grave, then he called for a stone, it was said: O messenger of Allah - what will you do with it? he said: I will mark his grave by it so that I can bury my relations near him, then he placed the stone near the head of the grave. - al-Muttalib said: when Uthman b. Madh`un died, his body was taken out in a procession and was buried. Then the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله ordered a man to bring him a stone, but the man was not able to carry it, so the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله stood himself, went towards it and rolled up his sleeves - [al-Mutallib said: the one who reported this to me about the messenger of Allah said: it is as though I can still see the whitness of his forearms when he rolled up his sleeves] - then he carried it and placed it at the head and said: I mark with it the grave of my brother so that I can bury next to it those who die of my family. What a great status Uthman must have had for the prophet to want to bury his family members next to him. Note also that the prophet called him ‘his brother’, some have explained this by noting that Uthman was the foster-brother of the prophet because they both suckled from the same woman. It is also possible that he used this as a term of endearment with an eye to his elevated kinship in Islam. Righteous Predecessor The prophet did indeed go ahead with his wish to bury his relations near the grave of Uthman. First when his daughter Ruqayya died and then when Ibrahim his son passed away. He also uses the enigmatic term سلف الصالح which has been rendered here as righteous predecessor but which can also mean righteous ancestor. Perhaps it the latter which is meant keeping in mind that if Uthman was the foster-brother of the prophet then his children would be related to him in some manner. - One of the two [al-Baqir or al-Sadiq] عليه السلام said: when Ruqayya the daughter of the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآلهdied, the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله said: meet up with our righteous predecessors Uthman b. Madh`un and his fellows … - Ibn Abbas said: when Uthman b. Madh`un died a woman said: congratulations to you O Ibn Madh`un for you have entered paradise! So the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله looked at her angrily and said: what made you know? for by Allah I am the messenger of Allah but do no know what is going to be done with me, she said: O messenger of Allah he was your warrior and companion. This conversation weighed heavy on the minds of the companions of the messenger of Allah because of what he had said about Uthman while he [Uthman] was the best of them. It went on like this until when Ruqayya the daughter of the messenger of Allah died and he [the prophet] said: meet up with our goodly predecessor Uthman b. Madh`un [i.e. this is when they knew that Uthman must have had a good destination]. The women cried [when Ruqayya died] so Umar began hitting them with a whip, the prophet said to Umar: let them cry! but beware of the screeching of the Shaytan. Then the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله said: whatever issues from the heart [grief] and the eyes [tears] then it is from Allah and it is a form of mercy, whetever issues from the hand [like beating oneself] and the tongue [like words of despair] then it is from Shaytan. The messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله stood at the edge of the grave while Fatima was at his side crying, so the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله began to wipe away the tears of her eyes with the side of his clothes in sympathy for her. - Aba Abdillah عليه السلام said: … when Ibrahim the son of the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله died the eyes of the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله overflowed with tears and he said: the eyes tear-up and the heart grieves but we do not say that which may anger our Lord, we sure are saddened because of you O Ibrahim. Then the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله saw a disparity in his grave so he levelled it out with his hand and said: when one of you does any work then he should do it well, then he said: meet up with you righteous ancestor Uthman b. Madh`un … Ali Remembers a Brother Recall that the prophet is said to have said “I will mark with it the grave of my brother …” referring to Uthman as his brother. He also buried both his blood relations Ruqayya and Ibrahim near this brother of his and said at the time “meet up with our righteous Salaf …” where Salaf can mean ancestor. A pattern emerges when we note that Ali, who is himself well-known as being the brother of the prophet, also referred to Uthman as a brother. - Abu al-Faraj said: Uthman b. Ali about whom it is narrated from Ali that he said: I name him with the name of my brother Uthman b. Madh`un. This Uthman b. Ali went on to sacrifice his life to defend Aba Abdillah al-Husayn عليه السلام in Karbala. It comes as no surprise then that one of the candidates for the anonymous ‘brother’ Ali speaks of in his famous words has been taken refer to Uthman b. Madh`un. - Ali عليه السلام said: In the past I had one I considered a brother in the way of Allah, he became prestigious in my eyes because of how lowly he considered the world to be in his eyes, the needs of the stomach did not have sway over him, he did not long for what he did not get; if he got a thing he would not ask for more; most of his time was spent in silence, but if he spoke he silenced the other speakers and quenched the thirst of questioners, he was weak and considered weak, but at the time of seriousness he was like the lion of the forest or the serpent of the valley, he would not put forth an argument unless it was decisive. He would not reproach anyone in an excusable matter unless he had heard the excuse, he would not speak of any ailment except after its disappearance, he would do what he says, and would not say what he would not do, even if he could be excelled in speaking, he could not be excelled in silence; he was more eager to listen than to speak, if two things confronted him he would see which was more akin to the longing of the heart and would then oppose it [do the other]. Betake yourself to these and implement them and try to compete with each other in them. even if you cannot do it fully then know that acquiring a part is better than giving up the whole. What Could Have Been It is not a stretch to say that had Uthman been alive at the time of the Fitna (sedition) after the death of the messenger of Allah - when the Umma betrayed his testament for the Ahl al-Bayt - he would have sided with Ali in the events to come. One circumstantial evidence for this is that when the prophet paired together one Muhajir with an Ansar in the so-called Ukhuwwa, he paired Uthman b. Madh`un with Abu al-Haytham Malik b. Tahiyyan. We know that this pairing was not random, but a bond which the prophet made using his special insight. He would gather two men who were closest to each other and had an affinity even in their spiritual states. Abu al-Haytham went on die fighting on the side of Ali at Siffin.

The Consultation When the Prophet, by God, was given his mission, Tell me who was the first to believe, and give his submission? When the Prophet, invited to a feast, and announced to his clan, Tell me who was the one who declared his support, though not yet a man? When Quraysh tried to murder the Prophet, as he lay in his bed, Tell me who was the one who sold his soul, and slept in his stead? When the Prophet, had joined to each Muslim, another, Tell me who was the one who the Prophet, chose as his brother? When challengers stepped forth, at Badr’s wells, trading blows, Tell me who was the foremost in defeating the chiefs and heroes? When the armies were routed, and he was abandoned at Uhud and Hunayn, Tell me who was the one who stood by the Prophet, when no one else did remain? When the Prophet was anxious at Khaybar, and the Muslims were losing the war, Tell me who was it that defeated Marhab and Harith and lifted the door? When the defences were breached, and God’s Prophet called you at Khandaq, Tell me who was the riser, by whose hand entire infidelity was struck? When the beggar came to God’s house, with outstretched palms, Tell me who was the one who even while bowing, gave him alms? When the Prophet, closed to the mosque all but one door, Tell me whose was the house that this honour was truly for? When the monks of Najran, for Mubahila had come to oppose, Tell me who were the representatives, that the Prophet had chose? When it was a time of need, and no one else was prepared to give, Tell me who was it that fed the orphan, needy and captive? When God ordered that charity should be given, and all turned averse, Tell me who was the one who fulfilled the terms of the colloquy verse? When the Prophet had said, you are to me as Harun to Musa had been, Tell me who was addressed as such, and what did he mean? When God decreed that five be gathered under the Yamani cloak, Tell me who was it about which the verse of purification spoke? When the Prophet said “I am the city of knowledge and there is its gate”, Tell me whose name was it then that he used to state?” When the Master of Muslims, at Ghadeer, the Prophet stood up to declare, Tell me whose hand did he raise, or were you not there? When the Prophet had passed, and it was a pain no one could bear, Tell me who washed his body and read his funeral prayer?” They said “O Ali, this was all you, and this none can deny, You do not exaggerate your virtues, nor do you tell a lie!” He said “So what is it in me of which you do not approve, While superiority over me, no one can prove?” They said “then to you we offer the Caliphate on just one condition, That you follow the Qur’an, the Prophet, and your predecessors’ tradition.” He said, “the Qur’an and the Prophet, this much I obey, Apart from that I have no need of adherence to any third way.” They said “Then Ali, to you allegiance we cannot pledge, and if you do not submit, then we will give you the sword’s edge.” He said, “For the sake of Islam, this much I will endure, To avoid calamity, and disunity, is what I wish to ensure.” “But I can see with clarity, that for you this will end in regret, How great will be the troubles, that this affair will beget.” from: https://www.fatefuldawn.com/poetry/the-consultation/

Why do some Shias say Ya Ali Madad Do you not seek guidance strictly from Allah as Rasulalah s.a.w did the same. Ali a.s was a human being and not a Wahi since Prophet Mohammad s.a.w is the final Messenger. What is the belief behind this chant

29th Shawal is the birth Anniversary of Hz Abu Talib (as) so this would be an opportune time to ask this question. Before the hijra, was there a greater servant to Islam and the Prophet than Hz Abu Talib as?

Salam! What are Nouman Ali Khan? Is he sunna or shia?

can someone pls provide name arist translation for this latmiya

I know many of us (believers) have been through this, and I personally experienced my boat sinking and I know it is tough getting it back up. But if you won't understand why you have to get back up then you're definitely going to drown. My point of bringing this topic up is not to scare you away by telling you about the torment of hellfire or the agony in the grave, surely I'll do that by the end of our short exchange, but before everything else I want you to know what benefits and positive change prayers can bring to your life! BENEFITS OF PRAYING There are actually a lot; me and you could go on and on about how practicing Islam can benefit you and the people around you, but this once, let me just mention a few of those that I experienced first-hand. Health Prayer can be a source of exercise for most people. It keeps check on your physical fitness. All the obligatory acts in prayers benefit greatly to ones health. For example, going to ruku and sajda and tash'had saves one from back pain and knee-joints pain. Prayer also wards off many illnesses. Down to Earth When you go down in sujood, it gives you a feeling of how small and insignificant you are in front of all the blessings and creations of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى. He made so much, and still blesses you and showers upon you from good. Prayer kills your ego and brings you closer to Allah and the reality. Focusing on how you're alone in this world, and how only Allah is your supporter and benefactor even in the time of adversity. Strengthens the heart and the belief Prayer gives you the strength that you are lacking when facing adversity. It becomes a driving force when met with a lot of short-comings. It strengthens ones resolve to keep moving forward and facing new challenges while knowing that Allah never burdens a soul more than what it can bear. Closeness to Allah When we recite the verses sent down to us Humans by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى, we naturally feel close to Him. His words are the reflection upon our own-selves. When we make dua to Him and kneel down to Him, it shows that we are ready to give in our desires for pleasing Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى. And that: He is the only "one" we can turn to in the time of adversity... There's nobody else, is there? Countenance and Spiritual Pleasantness Did you know that prayers make your face and spirit brighter? Who wouldn't want their face glowing with happiness and zeal. This not only allows others to look at you in good light but also brings a smile to their faces (especially your family). And it takes off a lot of tension from their shoulders (for some reason). Keeps you away from sins and keeps sins away form you Now this is note-worthy, because both sound just about the same. So where lies the difference? The difference is that there in you will come a sense of responsibility and a sense of accountability once you start praying. You will become more aware of your performance near Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى, and you'd want to please him more and more. Who wouldn't want beautiful reward from Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى?And alternatively, Allah will keep you away from sins with his authority over you if he finds your actions pleasing. And no doubt, he is the most merciful and the most benevolent. Along with oft-forgiving. Gets rid of laziness and grooms punctuality Most of the time we are extremely lazy when it comes to our responsibilities and obligations. But once we start being punctual in prayers habitually, we (Insha'Allah) will become more aware of the limited time we have and the utilization of it. Prayer somewhat grooms the instinct of time within you. When you start praying five times a day, you'll begin to realize if you're spending the remaining time the right way. You will have thoughts like: Am I fulfilling my religious obligations correctly? Is Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى going to be pleased enough with the current me? Have I been listening to every words my parents say? Have I done the job that I must in time? Sense of Accountability I know I am kinda repeating myself here, but I couldn't just skip this point. Because this one is very significant when it comes to prayers. In our daily life, if we skip a prayer, do you know how many things go wrong then? How many times we attempt sins and bad acts? Have you ever reflected upon them?Prayer gives you a chance of reflection. And in the future it keeps you intact and in-check that you don't fall astray to bad acts from Satan. Keeps you pure and clean Before going to prayer, you remember, that you have to be Tahir (pure from any impurity). Thus this single remembrance can keep you more than enough clean and pure. Also, performing ablution three-to-five or more so times a day, protects you from Satan and his devilish whispers. Takes away nightmares and bad dreams I am sure many of us had nightmares or dreams that were bad, something you wish you'd never seen. But if you sleep after doing a wudu, and with faith that Allah and His angels will protect you from such dreams (that come from Satan), you'll be protected. WHAT DOES THE QURAN SAY ABOUT PRAYERS? I hope this thread will open your eyes to the importance of prayers and will bring you closer to Allah. If I made a mistake somewhere in the text, then it is solely from me. Forgive me, as I am only human. P.s. Thanks to my brothers and sisters here, they gave me confidence enough to post my material here. lol. I have some serious confidence issues. :P Anyways, thanks to everybody for reading and supporting! Jazak Allah Khair. Hope it will be helpful to at least a single soul!

Is it true that Ismaili folk don't believe that Hazrat Imam Ali (as) was an Imam and that Hazrat Imam Hassan (as) is their first imam?

I have thought not on the basis of history, quran and hadith but on the basis of names of both persons that Abubakr comes before ALI. (AS) But how it can be possible? Look ABubakr " AB" comes first than AL in 'ALI" i can find the only reason that Abubakr may come before ALi. (AS) LOL

NADE ALI(ASWS) Sirf Allama Majlisi(ar) ne naql nahiñ ki hai. Sheikh Muhaddis Noori ne bhi naql ki hai مستدرك‏ الوسائل ج : 15 ص : 483 18935- 4، وَ رَأَيْتُ بِخَطِّ الشَّهِيدِ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ ذَكَرَ لِرَدِّ الضَّائِعِ وَ الْآبِقِ تَكْرَارَ هَذَيْنِ الْبَيْتَيْنِ *نَادِ عَلِيّاً مَظْهَرَ الْعَجَائِبِ* *تَجِدْهُ عَوْناً لَكَ فِي النَّوَائِبِ‏* *كُلُّ هَمٍّ وَ غَمٍّ سَيَنْجَلِي بِوَلَايَتِك* َ *يَا عَلِي(ع)ُّ يَا عَلِي(ع)ُّ يَا عَلِي(ع)‏* بحارالأنوار ج : 20 ص : 73 فَقَدْ تَعَجَّبَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَ مَا عَلِمْتَ أَنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ قَالَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمِ وَ هُوَ يَعْرُجُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ لَا سَيْفَ إِلَّا ذُو الْفَقَارِ وَ لَا فَتَى إِلَّا عَلِيٌّ وَ عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ قَالَ قَالَ لِيَ النَّبِيُّ ص يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ أَ مَا تَسْمَعُ مَدِيحَكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ إِنَّ مَلَكاً اسْمُهُ رِضْوَانُ يُنَادِي لَا سَيْفَ إِلَّا ذُو الْفَقَارِ وَ لَا فَتَى إِلَّا عَلِيٌّ قَالَ وَ يُقَالُ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص نُودِيَ فِي هَذَا الْيَوْمِ‏ *نَادِ عَلِيّاً مَظْهَرَ الْعَجَائِبِ* *تَجِدْهُ عَوْناً لَكَ فِي النَّوَائِبِ‏* *كُلُّ هَمٍّ وَ غَمٍّ سَيَنْجَلِي بِوَلَايَتِك* َ *يَا عَلِي(ع)ُّ يَا عَلِي(ع)ُّ يَا عَلِي(ع)‏* MAULA ALI(ASWS) Ki Ziyarat MAULA SADIQ(ASWS) Se Sheikh Mufeed ne Naql ki hai usmeiñ "MAZHARUL AJAAYEB" Jumla hai. بحارالأنوار 97 373 باب 5- زياراته صلوات الله عليه المخ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ يَا مَظْهَرَ الْعَجَائِب‏

Wouldn't the Ahl-al-Bayt ruling over the Ummah be the same as reinforcing this idea of a dynastic ruling group present during the time of pre-Islamic Arabia? I personally believe Ali should've been Caliph before he did, but having only the progeny of Ali lead the Muslims, regardless if he's in the lineage of the Prophet (pbuh) can be dangerous. One's familial relationship to the Prophet shouldn't automatically make them a just and able ruler. Of course they should be respected either way.

Some say Emir Muavia cursed Imam Ali, Since Imam Ali never abused and cursed anyone, why would Imam Ali be Happy to see his followers cursing in the name of His love?? Who would you follow by cursing Sahaba? Imam Ali or Emir Muavia?

Salam to every body, I am a student from East Asian country, before i traveled to Iran and visited Zurkhaneh, I am very impressed by this, so I want to know more about it. I read that Imam Ali also practiced Zurkhaneh, but I think this is only from Shia records? Because Imam Ali is first converted muslim and in his time he was fighting against other pagans. Since Zurkhaneh was originally from ancient Persia and contained other ancient beliefs inside, how could he practice it? Is there any record or hadith narrating this history ? I am very grateful for any reply, Mamnun to all ~