Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

91. How does the Quran describe the stages of the creation of the universe?

Answer: The Quran has several sets of verses regarding this topic:

1. Creation in Six Days: "Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days" (Quran 7:54).

2. Creation in Six Days Including Everything Between: "It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days" (Quran 32:4).

Note: It appears that "the heavens and the earth" refers to the entire universe, meaning the phrase "the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them" is a metaphor 

for the entire creation.

3. Detailed Description of the Creation Process: "Say, 'Do you really disbelieve in Him who created the earth in two days and ascribe partners to Him? That is the Lord of all the

 worlds.' And He set in the earth firm mountains over its surface, and He blessed it and ordained in it, in four days [various] means of sustenance, equally for all seekers. Then He

 turned to the heaven, while it was smoke, and He said to it and to the earth, 'Come [into being], willingly or unwillingly!' They said, 'We have come obediently.' Then He set them up as

 seven heavens in two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and guarded them. That is the determination of the 

All-Mighty, the All-Knowing" (Quran 41:9-12).

"Is your creation more difficult or that of the heaven He has created? He raised its vault and fashioned it. And He darkened its night, and brought forth its forenoon. And after that 

He spread out the earth. He extracted from it its water and its pasture, and the mountains He set firmly as provision for you and your grazing livestock" (Quran 79:27-33).

Note: The first set of verses consistently mentions that God created the heavens and the earth in six "days" (yawm).

The second set of verses adds "and whatever is between them," indicating that God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in between in six "days" (yawm).

The third set of verses (Surah Fussilat 41:9-12) mentions eight "days" (yawm) in total, leading to several questions.

92. What does "yawm" mean? Can we talk about the creation of the universe in six "days" (from sunrise to sunset) before the sun and the earth existed?

Answer: The word "yawm" in this context means a limited period of time, which can be short or long, material or non-material, a day, or something broader. In the Quran, "yawm" 

has been used in various senses:

       - From sunrise to sunset.

       - A period or era.

       - A non-material time concept, like "the Day of Judgment."

93. If "yawm" means an ordinary day, how does this reconcile with scientific findings that the universe formed over billions of years?

Answer: Considering the context of the verses describing the creation of the heavens and the earth in six "days," it is understood that "yawm" refers to a period or stage. 

Thus, there is no contradiction between the scientific understanding of the universe's formation over billions of years and the Quranic description of its creation in six stages.

94. What do "heavens" (sama) and "earth" (ardh) mean?

Answer: Linguistically, "sama" refers to anything above, and "ardh" refers to anything below. In the Quran, these terms have been used in various contexts, such as:

         - The direction above and below.

         - The atmosphere surrounding the earth.

         - Celestial bodies and the earth.

         - Higher spiritual realms and lower physical realms.

Therefore, "heavens" and "earth" in the Quran are not always material. They can also refer to spiritual realms, depending on the context. The apparent meaning in Surah Fussilat

 (41:9-12) refers to the material heavens and earth, but in Surah As-Sajda (32:4-5), some commentators suggest a spiritual interpretation.

Note: The mention of "seven heavens" and the symbolic significance of the number seven is a separate discussion that requires more elaboration.

95. Why does the Quran focus more on the story of the Jewish people and Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) compared to other peoples and their prophets?

Answer: One might say that the main reason the Quran places so much emphasis on the various stories of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and the Children of Israel is because

 of the significant similarities between Moses' community and the Muslim community. This means that the behaviours of the Muslim community are akin to those of Moses' people.

 Therefore, these stories are recounted multiple times and from various angles with different details to guide and instruct Muslims, helping them understand and avoid deviant paths

 (although, unfortunately, it seems that Muslims have followed the same path as the Children of Israel, just in a new form).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said about this:

"My nation will commit the same actions as the Children of Israel, step by step, such that if they entered the hole of an animal, my nation would follow them into it. The Torah and

 the Quran were written by the same angel on one parchment with one pen, and the parables and traditions are similar in both."

In another narration, he said:

"The likeness of my community is like that of the Children of Israel: they will follow them step by step, such that if they placed their foot in a particular place, my community will 

place their foot in the same place."

96. Can you prove from the Quran that the intercession by the Imams is accepted?

Answer: Allama Tabatabai in "Al-Mizan" says:

The Almighty Lord has affirmed intercession in His noble speech, provided it is by His permission, without restricting it to this world or the hereafter, and said:

 

"Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission?" (Quran 2:255). Additionally, He said: "And those whom they invoke besides Him have no power of intercession,

 except those who bear witness to the truth knowingly" (Quran 43:86). As you can see, intercession is granted to those who bear witness to the truth with knowledge, and the most

 certain of these knowledgeable individuals are the prophets (peace be upon them), including our esteemed Prophet (SAWAS) and his 12 infallible successors (Imams).

 

So, even if there is room to doubt the intercession of the noble saints from the community, the intercession of these chosen individuals is beyond doubt, especially the Prophet

 Muhammad (SAWAS), whom God Himself has confirmed as a witness to the truth and said:

 

"And We will bring you as a witness over these [people]" (Quran 4:41). 

Furthermore, regarding his knowledge, He said:

"And We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things" (Quran 16:89), 

And also: "The Trustworthy Spirit has brought it down upon your heart" (Quran 26:193-194).

 

It is evident that when the Quran, which explains everything, is revealed to someone's heart, that person would be knowledgeable about the Quran. It is unreasonable to 

think otherwise, just as it is unreasonable to think that God would send someone as a witness who does not bear true testimony.

 

In the verse "That you may be witnesses over mankind" (Quran 2:143), and the verse "And that Allah may take martyrs from among you" (Quran 3:140), and the verse "And these

 examples We present to the people, but none will understand them except those of knowledge" (Quran 29:43), God establishes that in addition to the prophets, other martyrs

 and scholars within the Muslim community bear true testimony. It is clear that God affirms only the truth, so there are truthful witnesses within the Muslim community as well.

 

Specifically regarding the Prophet's household, God says:

"Indeed, Allah desires to remove all impurity from you, O people of the [Prophet’s] household, and purify you with a thorough purification" (Quran 33:33). 

 

This verse indicates that the Prophet’s household has been purified by God. The verse:

"Indeed, it is a noble Quran in a well-protected Book; none touch it except the purified" (Quran 56:77-79) implies that only the purified understand the Quran. Consequently, it is proven

 that the Prophet’s household are the purified ones and knowledgeable about the Quran, which is an explanation of everything. They are among those who bear true witness without

 falsehood or error.

 

Therefore, it should not be said that seeking intercession through these noble individuals and making them intermediaries before God is shirk (associating partners with God).

97. Is knowledge considered sacred in the Holy Quran?

Answer: The Quran does not explicitly state that knowledge is sacred, but it holds a very important and elevated position. The overall message from the verses and traditions 

is that knowledge is a divine light, and not everyone is worthy of receiving the truth of knowledge. In this sense, it can be considered sacred.

 

However, the true essence of knowledge differs from the information humans acquire, and this distinction applies to all types of knowledge. As mentioned, knowledge has a special

 and elevated status in the verses of the Quran. Here are a few examples:

"Allah witnesses that there is no God except Him, and [so do] the angels and those who possess knowledge, [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice" (Quran 3:18). 

 

Reaching the level of understanding God's oneness and bearing witness to it is possible for those with knowledge, which alone signifies the virtue and necessity of knowledge. 

Because knowledge has such a pleasing result, God has said:

"Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees" (Quran 58:11).

God has highlighted the superiority of the knowledgeable in many instances and explicitly stated this in several verses:

 "Say, 'Are those who know equal to those who do not know?'" (Quran 39:9).

 

The Quran encourages and even commands the pursuit of knowledge:

"So ask the people of the Reminder if you do not know" (Quran 16:43).

98. What was the forbidden fruit of Prophet Adam?

Answer: There is disagreement among commentators about the fruit and tree that Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) ate from. Some possibilities mentioned include wheat, 

grapes, colocynth, camphor, dates, figs, eternity, knowledge, and the tree of envy.

Some believe all these opinions are correct and refer to a narration from Imam Redha (AS), who said the tree bore various kinds of fruit and was not like worldly trees that produce 

only one type of fruit.

99. What is the meaning of "Habt al-A'amal" (nullification of deeds), mentioned in the holy Quran?

Answer: "Habt" means the invalidation, nullification, or rendering of actions ineffective and useless. An important point to note is that "Habt" applies to actions in general, not just

 worship. For worship to be valid and effective, it requires faith and the intention of seeking closeness to God. However, even a non-believer or a hypocrite can perform good 

deeds, which will have positive effects (e.g., if a non-believer maintains family ties, gives charity, or has good manners, they benefit from these good deeds).

Certain beliefs, behaviours, or actions can render these good deeds null and void. 

100. What are the main reasons for the nullification of our deeds that have been mentioned in religious sources?

Answer: Various reasons for the nullification of our deeds that have been mentioned in religious sources, differing for believers and non-believers. For example, some actions 

that nullify deeds for a believer do not apply to a non-believer, such as apostasy.

Scholars and commentators have identified several factors that lead to the nullification of good deeds as mentioned in the Quran:

 1.  Apostasy after faith: A person who was a believer but then renounces their faith and denies it. The Quran states:

      "Whoever turns back from their faith and dies while they are disbelievers, their deeds will become void in this world and the Hereafter, and they will be the inhabitants of 

      the Fire" (Quran 2:217).

 2. Actions without faith (disbelief and polytheism): The Quran warns those who do good deeds but do not believe in God and the Last Day that their deeds are futile:

     "They are those who disbelieve in the signs of their Lord and in the meeting with Him. So their deeds have become worthless, and We will not assign any weight to them on the Day

      of Resurrection" (Quran 18:105).

 3. Disrespect towards the Prophet: One cause of nullification is disrespect towards the Prophet, such as speaking loudly in his presence:

    "O you who have believed, do not raise your voices above the voice of the Prophet, or speak loudly to him as you speak loudly to one another, lest your deeds become worthless

     while you perceive not" (Quran 49:2).

 4. Lack of practical commitment to faith: The Quran states:

     "Whoever disbelieves in faith, their deeds will become void, and in the Hereafter, they will be among the losers" (Quran 5:5).

 5. Hypocrisy and deceit: The Quran says: 

    "They are the ones who have believed and then disbelieved, so their hearts were sealed, and they do not understand. When they come to you, they say, 'We believe,' but they have 

     entered with disbelief in their hearts, and they have left with the same. And Allah knows best what they were hiding" (Quran 63:3-4).

 6. Associating with and befriending disbelievers: The Quran mentions: 

    "You see those with a disease in their hearts racing toward them, saying, 'We fear misfortune may strike us.' But perhaps Allah will bring victory or a decision from Him, and they

     will become regretful for what they concealed in themselves. Their deeds have become worthless" (Quran 5:52).

Other factors that lead to the nullification of deeds include:

      - Discontent with the verses of the Quran

      - Preventing others from the path of God

      - Opposing the Prophet

      - Killing the prophets of God

      - Killing those who enjoin good and advocate justice.

Factors that nullify deeds can be broadly categorized:

      - Some sins nullify good deeds both in this world and the Hereafter, like apostasy: "Indeed, those who disbelieve in the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without right and kill

        those who order justice among people - give them tidings of a painful punishment. They are the ones whose deeds have become worthless in this world and the Hereafter" 

       (Quran 3:21-22).

     - Some sins nullify certain good deeds, like opposing the Prophet, while following the Prophet prevents the nullification of deeds.

    - Some sins transfer a person's good deeds to someone else, such as murder. Habil said to his brother Qabil: "Even if you extend your hand to kill me, I will not extend my hand to

      kill you. I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I want you to bear my sin and your sin, and you will be among the companions of the Fire" (Quran 5:28-29).

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