Question: Is there any mention of the concept of “Imamah” (Divine Leadership) in the Holy Qur’an? Answer: The Imams are definitely mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. It is firstly interesting to note that the word ‘Imam’ is used 12 times in the Holy Qur’an, with different meanings. The following ayat of the Holy Qur’an deal [...]

Question: How old was Ali ibn Abu Talib when he embraced Islam? Answer: Imam Ali (as) embraced Islam as soon as the Prophet received his first revelation. In fact, the Prophet met Ali (as) he was on his way back down from the Cave of Hera. He explained his message and experience with Gabriel to [...]

Question: I am a revert, and I am afraid of committing shirk (associating partners with Allah). I want to know, isn’t it wrong to believe that Imam Mahdi sees and knows everything we do wrong, on every Friday? Because Allah is the All-Hearing, All-Knowing? And isn’t it wrong to believe that Ahlul Bayt are aware of everything [...]

Question: What is the proof that Allah (swt) has given the Ahlul Bayt shafa’ah(intercession) for the Shias? Answer: The fact that Allah the Exalted has given the Prophet the right of intercession for Muslims is proven in the following Qur’anic ayah: “and had they, when they were unjust tothemselves, come to you and asked forgiveness [...]

Question: How can it be that the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (a.s) rank higher in terms of spirituality when compared to the previous Prophets? Answer: 1. The late Allamah Majlesi in his ‘Mer’atul-Oqoul’ (vol.5 p. 200) states: “There is no dispute among the Shi’a that Prophets and Imams (of Ahlul-Bayt) are more virtuous than all the angels.” 2. He [...]

Question: I was discussing the verse 4:59 with a brother from the sunni school of thought and particularly the part relating to ‘olil-amr’. We believe that the ‘olil-amr’ is in reference to the Imams whereas the Sunni view is that it relates to leaders. My question is: why in the first part of the verse [...]