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The basic principle in Shi'ah jurisprudence concerning animals whose blood spurts is that they become "najis" (impure) when they die, and that it is unlawful (haram) to eat their flesh. There is also a division of animals into two categories: those w...

The basic principle in Shi'ah jurisprudence concer...

The rank of qadi (judge), and that of the administrator of justice have great importance, and in fact these are ranks worthy of great respect. In the Imamiyah sect, the responsibility of the judiciary is considered an adjunct of the prophethood, the ...

The rank of qadi (judge), and that of the administ...

After a person's death, the transfer of his or her property, or rights, to another person by virtue of their blood relationship or some other tie, is called inheritance. The living relative is called the "warith" (heir), the deceased is called "murut...

After a person's death, the transfer of his or her...

In mutual dealings there must be two individuals or two parties (the one has something to offer and the other accepts)> Proposal and acceptance is a necessary condition. Mu'amalat are of two kinds: in the first the dealings are purely financial (for ...

In mutual dealings there must be two individuals o...

If someone owns some property and wishes to relinquish possession of it, his transference of it may be such that it is final. That is, now only will it go out of his possession, but he can never claim it back, whether, e.g., he frees a slave, or give...

If someone owns some property and wishes to relinq...

Jihad is the foundation stone of the magnificent building of Islam. In its absence the religion of God would neither have been the cause of mercy for the world, nor would it have proved a source of blessing to mankind. For jihad means fighting agains...

Jihad is the foundation stone of the magnificent b...

This is one of the most important of the compulsory acts prescribed by religion and the basis of the Muslim's moral duties; moreover, it is the most effective means of demonstrating the truth and reality of Islam and is a successful weapon against in...

This is one of the most important of the compulsor...

According to the Shi'a faith, 'hajj' (the pilgrimage to Makkah) is one of the pillars of Islam. One who abstains from performing this duty when he is able must die the death of a Jew or a Christian as a punishment for his failing. Anyone who refuses ...

According to the Shi'a faith, 'hajj' (the pilgrima...

"Khums" which is another kind of tax, is compulsory on five things; the booty taken from an enamy in war; the pearls and minerals drawn from the sea; hidden treasures mineral substances extracted from the land; and lawfully-gained money which has bee...

"Khums" which is another kind of tax, is compulsor...

We may consider salat and sawm as two acts of worship (ibadat) whose immediate basis is physical rather than spiritual. Zakat is of an entirely different nature. According to the Shi'as, after salat in rank comes "zakat" (taxation); indeed from some ...

We may consider salat and sawm as two acts of wors...

According to the Shi'a faith, sawm (plural siyam), fasting, is a pillar of the Islamic code. There are four kinds of siyam: wajib (compulsory), mustahab (recommended), haram (forbidden) or makruh (undesirable). The fasts made incumbent by the shari'a...

According to the Shi'a faith, sawm (plural siyam),...

The Imamiyah Shi'as believe that an ordinance or order from the Islamic code exists for every matter of life. The Divine law has not even ignored the "diyat" (concilation money) for injury of a very minor nature. There is no action of a "mukallaf" (a...

The Imamiyah Shi'as believe that an ordinance or o...

Like all other Muslims, the Shi'as too regard "salat" as one of the pillars of religion. This prayer is a means of bringing God's servant near to Him. If one does not perform the prayer, the relation between God and His servant is broken. That is why...

Like all other Muslims, the Shi'as too regard "sal...

God the Almighty is not unjust to anybody, nor does He commit any action which could be considered bad by man's primordial sense. This is what is known as, 'adl (justice). Justice is one of the attributes of Almighty God, existence of which is necess...

God the Almighty is not unjust to anybody, nor doe...

Like all Muslims, the Shi'as believe that Almighty God will bring all people to life again for accountability, punishment and reward on the Day of Judgement. Ma'ad involves the appearance of every person before his Lord in exactly the same human bodi...

Like all Muslims, the Shi'as believe that Almighty...

Imamiyah Shi'as believe that all the Prophets were appointed by God; all of them were sent by Him and they are all His exalted servants. Hadhrat Muhammad al-Mustafa (s.a.w.) is both the "Seal of the Prophets" (the final prophet) and the Chief of all ...

Imamiyah Shi'as believe that all the Prophets were...

It is question of the Imamate which distinghishes the Shi'a sect from all other sects; it is the basic and fundamental difference which separates this school from other schools of thought. Other differences are not fundamental; they are "furu'i" (tha...

It is question of the Imamate which distinghishes ...

Before we deal with the roots and the articles of faith in detail, we may divide our study of the Shi'a religion according to five principles: 1. Knowledge of God.2. Identification of His Prophet.3. How to worship.4. Doing good actions and refraining...

Before we deal with the roots and the articles of ...

According to the Imamiyah faith, every sane thinking person has a moral duty to know his Creator. He should believe in His Oneness and Divinity, and should ascribe no partner to Him in His Actions. He should also believe that creation, sustenance, li...

According to the Imamiyah faith, every sane thinki...

Now, on the other hand, if you reflect upon the life of 'Ali (a.s.) and his descendants, you will come to know why Shi'ism spread and how it spread; moreover the truth will be revealed as to whether Shi'ism was the innovation of the Iranians, or the ...

Now, on the other hand, if you reflect upon the li...

The Shi'as too continued to follow their leader; the spirit of the time demanded that differences should be ignored. For this very reason, they did not try to establish themselves as a sect during the regime of the first caliphs. Of course 'Ali's fri...

The Shi'as too continued to follow their leader; t...