Few question and answers from Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani

Few question and answers from   Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani

As salaamo a’laikum,

I always raised my voice against those who speak on religious matter without proper referece and as a result create confusion in others mind. If you are not an authority (scholars or mujtahid) then you can guide others only by sending hadith masumeen(a.s), by articles and books of scholars and replies of scholars.

Today i present few replies from our  Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani on different issues……..Its reason is only one in some msn group some ignorants declared without fearing Allah that Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani prohibited zanjeer matam. Now you read the answers and decide…these groups and anti azadari groups and misguide our young shia by taking name of mujtahids…If at any point he said it must be avoided then he said because of specific condition which i highlited…..
when the matter of friendship with na mahram and Music comes they forget to ask and follow fatwa of mujtahids..Even they declare openly music is haram is not written in quran..

While you read any fatwa of mujtahids never forget to read the condition…Ie in which condition he prohibited or Allowed..

For example a question asked to Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani
Q2: Can I watch English or Bollywood movies?
A2: There is no objection to watching such movies if they are not morally and religiously offensive.
Now read the answer he allowed with condition and we all know 99% of movies are morally and religiously offensive.
But there are people who will see all the movies, incourage others by taking name of Grand Ayatollah Muhammad Fazel Lankarani , that he allowed.

Because sinners always search the reason of committing the sins and those who have enimity for ahlulbaith always search the reason to prohibit azarai , matam, azadari procession. So dear lovers of ahlulbaith always learn from scholars and ahlulbaith and not from self made ulemas who use the name of ahlulbaith and mujtahds for their personal gains..
Beating Chest & Zanjir Zani

Q1: Why do Shiites beat their chests during Muharram? What is the reason?
A1: Beating chest is one of the important expressions of lamentation and a means of showing disgust and hatred to the oppressors. Not only it is not a mistake but it also plays an important role in reviving and continuing the goals of the Imam (a.s.).

Q2: It so happens that people beat their chests and their backs with chains and their bodies turn red and even start bleeding. Is it permissible?
A2: It is permissible and even preferable provided that it does not cause significant harm to the body.

Q3: Some men take off their clothes and become partially naked while beating theirs chests in front of women. Is it permissible?
A3: It is necessary for women to avoid looking. Of course, if men know that women would look at their bodies, it is not permissible for them (men) to take off their clothes.

Q4: Are beating chest and Zanjir Zani out of Riya (insincerity) permissible?
A4: They should avoid insincerity while performing rituals.

Q5: Some people are seen half-naked during Muharram while flagellating themselves in an extreme manner in front of non-Mahram individuals? Is this act permissible?
A5: Chest beating tradition in its customary and normal form does not have to be opposed, however, in the said situation women should avoid looking.

Blood Matam

Q1: I have a question about blood matam or what is known as Qama zani or Tatbir? What is your ruling about using blades, knives, swords and spilling blood during mourning rituals? Is it permissible?
A1: The philosophy of mourning during ‘Ashura, is to respect the symbols of Religion and remember the suffering of Imam Hussain (a),  his companions, and his uprising to defend Islam and prevent the destruction of the religion by Bani Umayyad dynasty.  These rites must be done in such a way that in addition to serving that purpose, it draws the attention of others to these lofty goals. Obviously, Qama Zani does not have such a role and the enemies of Ahlalbayt misuse it. So those actions which are not understandable for the enemies of Islam and causes misunderstanding and contempt for the religion must be avoided.

Mourning

Q: Is it legally preferable to wear black clothes when mourning for Imam Husain and other Infallible Imams (a.s.)?
A: Since it is considered respecting the signs (of Allah), it has legal preference. Moreover, prominent scholars such as late Ayatollah al-Uzma Broujardi used to wear black Qabaa (a long robe worn under Aba) during Ashura.

Q: Is wearing black clothes makrooh (undesirable) when lamenting and mourning over the martyrdom of the Infallibles?
A: Since wearing black clothes is a sign of expressing grief and lamentation, which is highly desirable, therefore praying in a black cloth is not makrooh.

Q: What is the fatwa about the flags which are used during Azadari (lamentation) ceremonies? Some of these flags have lines and drawings on them.
A: It is permissible to use them in Azadari.

Q: Is beating drum allowed during Azadari?
A: If drum is beaten in such a manner that it is suitable for gatherings of amusement and entertainment or is considered contempt and disrespect to the Infallible Imams, it is haram, or else, there would be no objection in it.
Q: What is your ruling on a group of mourners using musical instruments in a competing manner against another group?
A : The ruling about using musical instruments was explained above. Rivalry or competition however does not change the answer. Rather, if a competition is out of Reya (insincerity) and there is no intention of seeking nearness to God, and it causes unrest for others, it is not permissible.
Q: What is the philosophy behind the mourning for Imam Hussain (as)?
A: The philosophy of lamentation for Imam Hussain (as) is to revere the divine observances and to commemorate the Imam’s innocence and self-sacrifice as well as that of his companions, in their defence of Islam. If there had not been such an uprising, the Umayyad dynasty would have completely annihilated Islam. It is for this reason that to remember the tragedy of Ashura is cited in numerous narrations.
Q. Which Imam (as) or his companion was the first to practise any form of masochism such as hitting oneself with metal chains (zanjeer), or make a flag -referring to Al-‘Abbas’ flag- (‘alam) as a sign of the events of Karbala, or to produce and carry the coffin (taboot) among the believers during the commemoration in order to pay respect for Imam Hussain (as)?
A : These are all symbolic styles of mourning, and it is not necessary to have a certain decree issued by our Imams (as) for the way in which we mourn. However these ceremonies should be undertaken in a way whereby they keep alive the memory of Ashura, attract the attention of others and incorporate all the ritualistic aspects. They should not be conducted in such a way as to cause misunderstanding or blasphemy against Islam, the holy dignity of Imam Hussain (as) or his companions. We should avoid deeds, which are not understandable to the enemies of Islam. Commemorating ceremonies do not necessarily need to be ordered by the Immaculate Imams (as), as they are held today. The important message of practising (zanjeer) is that we are all Shi’ite, and are ready to devote ourselves in the path of Allah (swt) and for Imam Hussain’s (as) purpose

Chatting with a na-mahram on the internet

Q1: Is it permissible for a girl to chat with a na-mahram on the internet?
A1: If there is a fear that a girl or a boy may be drawn towards sin, it is not permissible. Normally chatting ends up in a sin for both sides.

Co-education

Q1: What is the fatwa about co-education? Is co-education permissible?
A1: If there is an evil in co-education, it is not allowed and Islam does not permit it. Normally, co-education is coupled with evil.

Friendship

Q1: Is it permissible for a boy to have a girl friend?
A1: It is not permissible for a boy to make girl friends as he might fall into a sin or indulge in sinful acts.

Music
Q6: I want to know where in the Holy Quran or Hadith it is said taht listening to music isprohibited?

A6: The Holy Quran says, “And of men is he who takes instead frivolous discourse to lead astray from Allah’s path without knowledge, and to take it for mockery; these shall have an abasing chastisement.” Surah Luqman 31: 6
It is clear that songs and music which are exciting and stimulating and suitable for gatherings of vain entertainment take one away from the remembrance of Allah, the Glorious and lead one astray. Many traditions (Ahadiths) have been related on this. You can refer to Hadith books, like Wasaail al-Shia.

Q1: I would like to know which musical instruments is permitted for playing or listening in Islam.
A1: The musical instruments which are specifically for Haram usage, meaning which are only for usage in/ for immoral and vain gatherings are Haram, and if it is not such, it is permissible.

Zanjir-zani
Q1: Is Zanjir Zani permissible during Muharram? It should be noted that by the word Zanjir Zani I mean Zanjir (chain) only with no knives or cutting tools attached to it. (Many people in the Indian sub-continent ask this question while they mean the chain with knives. Unlike the sub-continent, the word Zanjir is used to give its literal meaning in Iran and other Persian countries).
A1: Zanjir-zani is permissible.

Q2: If according to astronomical calculations sighting of the crescent is not possible in Stockholm on the completion of 29th Ramadhan but  the crescent for Eid-ul-Fitr has been ascertained by being sighted at a location in Russia that shares the same latitude as of Stockholm, is it permissible to break the fast and observe Eid-ul-Fitr
A2: Scientific and astrological calculations are not sufficient except for when one who gains certainty through it.  {Read the answer to the first question.}

you can refer http://www.lankarani.org/eng/index.html

Note: those who are not in his taqleed are free to follow their marja but shoud not use his name to justify their own personal thoughts and views.

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wassalam