Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

71. What is the concept of Imamate (divine leadership?

Answer: The concept of Imamate, or divine leadership (Arabic: الإمامة‎ ), is central to the pure Islam and denotes the belief in a line of designated spiritual and political successors to

 Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him &his progeny). The real Muslims believe that after the Prophet's departure, leadership of the Muslim Ummah was divinely ordained to 

continue through a series of Imams who possess unique spiritual and infallible qualities. 

The designation of Imams is based on divine will and appointment by God. They assert that Prophet Muhammad, through divine command, designated specific individuals as his 

successors, beginning with Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib and continuing through eleven more Imams from his progeny. This divine appointment was communicated by the holy Prophet (

SAWAS) on several occasions including in his last sermon delivered on the 18th Dhulhijjah 16th March 632 CE known as day of Ghadeer. This historic sermon is recorded in both Shia 

and Sunni Sources of Hadith widely. To learn more about concept of Imamate, please read the detailed books on the subject.

72. Who are the divine Imams?

Answer: According to the teachings of pure Islam, the term "divine Imams" refers to the twelve designated spiritual and political successors of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon

 him & his progeny) These Imams are revered by Muslims for their infallibility (‘Ismah), comprehensive knowledge of religious teachings, and their role as guides and leaders of the

 Muslim Ummah). Here is a brief overview of each of the Twelve Imams:

1. Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib: Cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (married to his daughter Fatimah) born in inside Ka’aba, Makkah, 599 CE, and Martyred by Abur Rahman Ibne

 Muljim, in the sacred Mosque of Kufa. Regarded as the first Imam and the rightful successor of Prophet Muhammad (SAWAS) Known for his comprehensive knowledge, bravery,

 wisdom, and devotion to Islam.

2. Imam Hasan ibn Ali: Born in Madinah, 625CE, Martyred by poisoning sent by Muawiya ibne Abu Sufyan. Grandson of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah and

 Second divine Imam. Known for his role in promoting peace and unity among Muslims, particularly after the martyrdom of his father Imam Ali (AS).

3. Imam Hussain ibn Ali: Second Grandson of Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah. Third divine Imam. Born in Madinah, 626 CE, Martyred in the Battle of Karbala, 680

 CE, By Yazid ibne Muawiya’s army. Revered for his stand against injustice and tyranny, particularly his heroic sacrifice in Karbala, which became a symbol of resistance against

 oppression.

4. Imam Ali Zayn al-Abideen (Ali ibn Hussain): Son of Imam Hussain, Fourth divine Imam, Born in Madinah, 659 CE, Martyred in 713 CE by the Umayyad Ruler Al-Waleed bin Abd al-

Malik. This Great-grandson of Prophet Muhammad through Imam Hussain (AS). Known for his piety, prayers (such as Sahifa Sajjadiyya), and teachings on spirituality and ethics

 despite facing persecution.

5. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir: Grandson of Imam Hussain. Fifth divine Imam. Born in Madinah, 677 CE, Renowned for his knowledge and scholarship. Revived Islamic sciences and 

established an Islamic university introduces pure jurisprudence (Fiqh) and transmitted Hadith extensively. Poisoned and killed in 732 CE, by Umayyad ruler, Hisham bin Abd al-Malik at

 the age of 57. 

6. Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq: Son of Imam Al-Baqir, Sixth divine Imam. Born in Madinah, 702 CE. Renowned for his knowledge. Continued his Father’s mission. Celebrated for his vast

 knowledge in various sciences, including jurisprudence, theology, and ethics. Poisoned and killed in 765 CE, at the age of 63, by Abbasad ruler, Al-Mansour Dawaneqi. 

7. Imam Musa al-Kadhim: Son of Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq, Seventh divine Imam. Born in Madinah, 745 CE, killed in 799 CE, at the age of 54, by Harun, Abbasad ruler,. Renowned for his 

knowledge, patience, piety, and teachings despite enduring persecution and imprisonment under the Abbasid caliphs. 

8. Imam Ali al-Ridha (Ali ibn Musa): Son of Imam Al-Kadhim, the 8th divine Imam. Born in Madinah, 766 CE, Revered for his knowledge, wisdom, and piety. His shrine in Mashhad,

 Iran, is a major pilgrimage site. Poisoned and killed by Abbasad Ruler Mamun, in 818 CE, at the age of 52.

9. Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (Muhammad ibn Ali): Son of Imam Al-Ridha, The 9th divine Imam, Born in Madinah, 811 CE. Known for his exceptional intellect and piety despite his 

young age. His Imamate emphasized ethical conduct and knowledge. Poisoned and Killed by the order of Abbasad ruler, Mu’tasim billah in 835 CE, at the age of 25.

10. Imam Ali al-Hadi (Ali ibn Muhammad): Son of Imam Al-Jawad, the 10th divine Imam, Born in Madinah, 828 CE. Recognized for his knowledge, wisdom, and leadership during a 

challenging period of Abbasid rule. His piety and devotion to Islam are highly regarded. Poisoned and killed by Abbasid ruler, Al-Mottaz billah in 868 CE at the age of 40.

11. Imam Hasan al-Askari (Hasan ibn Ali): Eleventh divine Imam, Son of Imam Ali al-Hadi. Born in Madinah, 846 CE. Known for his knowledge and teachings despite l

iving under severe restrictions and surveillance by the Abbasid authorities. His son, Imam Mahdi, is believed to be the awaited savior (Mahdi). Poisened and killed by Abbasid 

ruler, Mo’tamad billah, in 874 CE, at the age of 28. 

12. Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi: 12th and final divine Imam, Son of Imam Hassan Al-Askari, Born in Samarrah, 868 CE. Believed to be the awaited Mahdi (guided one) who will return

 to establish justice and equity on earth. All seekers of justice await his reappearance as an ultimate saviour. 

73. Who are the “Ahl Al-Kisa” or “Panjtan”?

Answer: The term “Ahl al-Kisa” or "Panjtan" refers to a revered group of five holy figures in Islam, particularly in Shia Islam. The word "Ahl al-Kisa" (أهل الكساء ), means "People of the

 Cloak" or "People of the Mantle." This term originates from the Hadith of the Cloak (Hadith al-Kisa), where Prophet Muhammad gathered these five under his cloak and prayed,

 signifying their purity and special status. "Panjtan" is derived from Persian, meaning "The Five Pure Ones." The Panjtan consist of:

 1. Prophet Muhammad: The final prophet in Islam, regarded as the "Seal of the Prophets."

 2. Fatimah Zahra: The daughter of Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadijah.

 3. Imam Ali: The cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, husband of Fatimah, the direct Successor of the holy Prophet and the first divine Imam.

 4. Imam Hassan: The elder son of Ali and Fatimah, and the second divine Imam.

 5. Imam Hussain: The younger son of Ali and Fatimah, and the third divine Imam.

These holy personalities are considered paragons of spiritual and moral purity. They are seen as the embodiments of virtue and righteousness. They are regarded as intercessors

 between Allah and humanity. They play a crucial role in the spiritual life of believers, who often seek their intercession in prayers. They are known to be the models of exemplary

 behaviour and character. Their lives and actions are studied and emulated by Muslims seeking to live pious and ethical lives.

They are considered infallibles (Ma'sum) and are central to the concept of Imamate, the belief in a line of spiritual and temporal leaders descended from them.

For many Muslims, Shia and Sunni, the love and reverence for the Panjtan can be a unifying factor. They are respected across various Islamic traditions, although the degree of

 emphasis and specific theological interpretations may vary.

The Panjtan hold a special place in the hearts of millions of Muslims, influencing religious practices, literature, art, and culture throughout the Islamic world.

74. What is the concept of death in Islam?

Answer: The concept of death in Islam is multifaceted, encompassing beliefs about the soul, the afterlife, and the final judgment. In Islam, it is believed that each person has a soul that

 continues to exist after physical death. The soul is considered immortal and will face its destiny based on the person's actions during their earthly life.

The Angel of Death, Izrael, is responsible for taking the souls of the deceased. The manner of death and the extraction of the soul is described differently for believers and non-

believers. For the righteous, it is gentle and peaceful, while for the wicked, it is harsh and painful.

75. What happens after the death of a person?

Answer: After death of a person, the soul separates from the body and enters an intermediate state called Barzakh, where it experiences a foretaste of its final destiny. It is an obligatory

 for other Muslims to ensure that the deceased is treated with respect and cleanliness according to religious guidelines. After washing the body for three times, then the body must be

 wrapped in a plain white cloth, known as a Kafan. The Kafan typically consists of three pieces for men (a loincloth, a long shirt, and a larger outer sheet) and five pieces for women

 (with an additional chest band and head veil). After the Kafan process, the prayer must be performed on the deceased body, seeking forgiveness and rest of the soul in the next life.

 This prayer is known as “Salat al-Mayyit”. The next step is that the deceased body must be buried facing the Qiblah (direction of Makkah), typically without a coffin, directly in the earth.

76. What questions will be asked in the graves?

Answer: Muslims believe that after a person is buried; they are visited by two angels, Munkar and Nakir, or Mubashir and Basheer who question them in the grave. This questioning is

 part of the intermediary state known as Barzakh, the period between death and the Day of Judgment. The purpose of this questioning is to test the deceased's faith and deeds during

 their lifetime. The five fundamental questions asked by Munkar and Nakir are:

    1. Who is your Lord?

                 The deceased is expected to affirm their belief in Allah as their Lord.

    2. What is your religion?

                  The deceased should respond that their religion is Islam.

    3. Who is your prophet?

                 The deceased should acknowledge Muhammad as their prophet.

    4. What is your holy book?

                  The deceased should acknowledge that Quran is his book.

    5. Who is your Imam (Divine leader)?

                  The deceased should acknowledge Imam Ali as his first Imam and then 11divine Imams after him. 

77. What is Barzakh?

Answer: Barzakh is the intermediate state between death and the Day of Judgment. The soul resides in Barzakh, experiencing either comfort or torment based on their deeds. It is a

 period of waiting for the final resurrection. The souls of believers, carrying good deeds are taken to the neighbourhood of Imam Ali (AS) known as “Vadi as-Salaam” The valley of peace,

 while the souls of the wicked and disbelievers are taken to the horrible place called “well of Barhoot”

78. What is heaven and hell from the Islamic perspective?

Answer: The Heaven (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam) are essential components of the life after death and central to the faith's eschatological beliefs. Both are described in detail in the

 Qur'an and Hadith, offering a clear understanding of the ultimate fate awaiting human beings based on their earthly beliefs and deeds. 


 Heaven (Jannah): is a place of eternal peace, bliss, with no pain, suffering, or death and reward for those who have lived righteous lives in accordance with the will of Allah. It is often

 depicted as a garden of paradise, full of physical and spiritual delights. There are multiple levels in Jannah, with higher levels reserved for those with greater faith and piety. The

 highest level is called Al-Firdaus. Believers will be reunited with their loved ones, and they will enjoy the company of righteous people and the prophets (Qur'an 52:20-21). Jannah is

 by the mercy and grace of Allah, even for those who have been righteous.


 Hell (Jahannam): is a place of eternal punishment and suffering for those who have rejected faith, committed evil deeds, and lived in defiance of Allah's commandments. Jahannam is

 often described as a place of blazing fire, intense heat, and various forms of physical and spiritual torment (Qur'an 4:56). Similar to Jannah, Jahannam has different levels, with the

 severity of punishment corresponding to the severity of the sins committed. 

 

The suffering in Jahannam is both physical and emotional, including regret, sorrow, and despair (Qur'an 14:16-17). 

Guardians: Angels known as Zabaniyah are the guardians of Hell, ensuring that the inhabitants are subjected to their prescribed punishments (Qur'an 66:6).

The punishments in Jahannam are a manifestation of Allah's justice, reflecting the gravity of one's actions and the rejection of divine guidance.

79. What is the Day of Judgment?

Answer: The day of judgement or Resurrection is a day on which all humans will be resurrected and held accountable for their actions (Qur'an 36:78-79).

The Almighty God will judge each individual based on their deeds, intentions, and faith. The righteous will be rewarded with Jannah, while the wicked will be punished in Jahannam 

(Qur'an 99:6-8).

80. What are the benefits of believing in heaven and hell?

Answer: Believing in Jannah and Jahannam serves as a moral framework for Muslims, encouraging them to live righteous lives, perform good deeds, and seek repentance. Being

 hopeful of God’s mercy is an essential part of a Muslim’s life but at the same time, they should not forget that God is just and He certainly, does the judgement of our beliefs and deeds.

 This concept emphasized the balance of divine justice and mercy, highlighting that ultimate reward and punishment are in the hands of Almighty Allah.

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