Question: What is the Shia view on the Sahaba (companions) of the Prophet (s), and specifically, the first three “Khulafa rashideen” (‘Rightly guided Caliphs’, and also the others which are considered extremely pious men by Sunnis? Answer: The people who narrated the actions and words of the Prophet (pbuh) to us were his companions (ashab). Some [...]

Question: Why do the Shiites condemn the Sahabah (companions of the holy Prophet)? Answer: The Shi’a believe that those who lived during the time of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.) were like any other human beings throughout history. There were the righteous, the holy, the just, the great, and also the rebellious, the opportunist, the weak, [...]

Question: What I understand is that a man is allowed to marry once, yet depending on the highly unlikely criteria laid down in Surah Nisa (relating to justice), he may marry more than once (if he can keep justice between them). However the Prophet (p) had a total of 12 wives, out of which 9 were [...]

Question: Can you please describe Yazid, the killer of Imam Husain, from the most reliable sources? What type of family did he come from, and how did he manage to get into power and rule the new Islamic state after just several decades from the demise of the holy Prophet(s)? Answer: Who is Hend, the grandmother of Yazid? [...]

Question: What is the proper way to approach history? Many Muslims, mainly Sunnis, seem to try to evade discussions about some past events in Islamic history. On the other hand, there exist some people within Shia Islam which seem to be too attached to the past, that they very much neglect the present. Answer: Three approaches to History : [...]

Question: Can you please explain some of the benefits of history as a source of knowledge? Please include Ayat and hadiths if possible. Answer: History, a Source of Human Knowledge “O’ creatures of Allah, verily Time will deal with the survivors just as it dealt with those gone by.” ( Nahjul-Balagha, S. 157). Experience is [...]

Question: What is our opinion of Abu Lu’lu and his assassination of the 2nd Caliph? Answer: We strongly believe in al-Tawwali & al-Tabbari, that is, loving the lovers of Ahlul-bayt (a.s), and freeing ourselves from their enemies and all those who oppressed them. Now in regards to Abu Lu’lu: Firstly, there is no reliable information [...]

Question: Can you please explain the event of the massacre that Yazid’s troops committed in Madina? I am interested to know more about the background behind it. Answer: The event of Harreh ( The massacre of Madina): All reliable historical sources have narrated this tragedy which took place almost 3 years after Ashoora. Although right after the catastrophe [...]