Ashura/Karbala
Is saying ‘Labbayk Ya Husayn’ a form of shirk (polytheism)?
Question: I am still learning about my religion. I saw an image that read ‘Ya Husayn’. Someone told me that this is a form of shirk (polytheism). That person explained to me that ‘Ya Husayn’ is shirk because it is a call to other than Allah (swt), and the Shia intend with this call to →
Did Imam Husayn leave behind a sick daughter named Fatima in Medina?
Question: Just regarding the story of Fatima al-‘Alilah which is commonly mentioned during the majlis ‘azaa (mourning ceremonies) of Imam Husayn (a.s), is this a historically sound incident or not? I am referring to the story in which Imam Husayn (a.s) apparently leaves behind an ill daughter in Medina. Did this incident actually take place →
Is Arbaeen walk to Karbala an innovation?
Question By the Grace of God I have been going for the Arbaeen walk in the last few years but recently a very disturbing and confusing video has been forwarded to me showing a public speaker who calls the walk a carnival and an innovation similar to Salat-al- Tarawih. He said this is an innovation →
Why did Husayn ibn Ali revolt against the caliph Yazid?
Question: Why did Husayn ibn Ali revolt against the Ummayad caliph Yazid? Do we have any explicit historical statements from Husayn in this regard? Answer: Imam Husayn did not revolt against Yazid, but rather, he refused to give him allegiance. He could not give Yazid allegiance because his person and actions were the embodiment of →
Are the Shias responsible for killing Imam Husain?
Question: Can one blame the Shia’s for killing Imam Husain (as)? Who is responsible for this tragedy of →
What is the best way to commemorate Ashura?
Question: Similar to public talk about the differences between Maraaje’ with regards to determining the beginning and end of the month of Ramadan, and this issue taking up alot of ‘air time’ every year in Shia communities, it seems that the question of how Ashura and Imam Husayn’s martyrdom should be commemorated has a similar →
Who will hold a higher status, the companions of Imam Husayn or Imam Mahdi?
Question: Who would hold a higher status: the 72 companions of Imam Husayn (a.s), or the 313 soldiers of →
Why did Imam Husayn (a.s.) leave Madina for Karbala?
Question: Why did Imam Husayn (a.s.) leave Madina for Karbala? Answer: Bismillah The Imam didn’t go directly from Madina to →
Describe Yaizd and his family, and explain how he managed to get into power?
Question: Can you please describe Yazid, the killer of Imam Husain, from the most reliable sources? What type →
Is zanjeer zani (back beating with chains) allowed or prohibited?
Question: Is zanjeer zani (back beating with chains) allowed or prohibited? Answer: There is no problem with Zanjeer Zani →