Question:The Shia have a tradition of dedicating the eighth day of Muharram to Al-Qasim, the son of Imam Hasan Al-Mujtaba (PBUH). They recount his virtues and elegies as part of the ongoing custom. When the reciter reaches his mention and delivers words about him from the pulpit, trays with candles, henna, and greenery are brought into the gathering. This is done to commemorate the magnitude of his tragedy, emphasizing that he was martyred in the prime of his youth without fully enjoying life. They consider this a wedding procession for Al-Qasim. When the trays are brought into the gathering, the mourners cry and wail, tears flow down Shia faces, and the Hussaini assembly is deeply moved. Is there, in your esteemed view, any objection to this custom and practice, or is there no harm in it?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there is no objection as long as everyone avoids anything contrary to the Sharia. Allah knows best.

Question:Who was the husband of Lady Sukayna, the daughter of Imam Hussain (PBUH)?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that Sukayna was not the actual name of Imam Hussain's (PBUH) daughter; rather, it was her title. Her real name was A'mina, and in some narrations, Amina. She was given the title Sukayna due to her tranquility and deep sense of peace, stemming from her trust in Allah’s mercy, her intense worship, and her profound fear of Allah. She viewed worldly life with detachment. When her cousin, a son of Imam Hasan (PBUH), sought her hand in marriage from Imam Hussain (PBUH), the Imam replied that she was preoccupied with worship, fear of Allah, and complete devotion to Him. She had no inclination toward worldly life and thus was not suited for marriage or serving a husband. Enemies of Ahlulbait, who spared no effort in spreading false accusations against the Prophet’s ancestors, himself, and his progeny, fabricated stories about this noble lady. They falsely claimed that she married a cursed enemy of Ahlulbait and accused her of inappropriate behavior, such as sitting with poets and listening to love poetry—accusations utterly unbefitting a noblewoman of her stature. In reality, she never married due to her complete devotion to the Hereafter. She had reached such a high level of spiritual annihilation in Allah that worldly matters held no value for her. This conclusion has been established by our esteemed scholars (may Allah sanctify their souls). There is no power nor strength except through Allah. Allah is the Guide and the Grantor of success.

Question:One of the dissenters says: What is special about the brotherhood between the Messenger (PBUH) and our master Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)? The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) called our master Umar and others among the companions "my brother" many times as well! And Allah, the Exalted, says, "Indeed, the believers are brothers." What is the appropriate response to this person?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be informed, my son, that the brotherhood between the Prophet (PBUH&HF) and Ali ibn Abu Talib (PBUH) refers to the specific brotherhood established by the Prophet (PBUH&HF) among the Muslims after the Hijra. The Prophet (PBUH&HF) instituted a bond of brotherhood among the companions to mitigate the impact of losing relatives due to the migration to Medina. Those who were paired in this brotherhood would inherit from each other and support each other in worldly tribulations. This specific type of brotherhood was uniquely established between the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) and Ali ibn Abu Talib (PBUH). As for using the term "my brother," it aligns with Allah's statement, " Indeed, the believers are brothers." Allah is the Guide.

Question:Who is the maternal uncle of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib?

Answer:In the name of Allah, his maternal uncle is Hunayn ibn Asad ibn Hashim. Allah is the Guide.

Question:The opponents challenge us by saying that the Shia has been repeatedly mentioning in their books about the thirst of Imam Hussein (PBUH) during the battle, so they write the following phrase on water tanks: "Drink and remember the thirst of Hussein." The question is: Since the Imams, according to the Shia's understanding, have knowledge of the unseen, couldn't Imam Hussein know his need for water during the battle and that he would die of thirst, and thus gather enough water for the battle? Furthermore, doesn't providing water during the battle fall under taking necessary measures? Allah says: "And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows"

Answer:In the name of Allah, Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his companions and family were besieged and prevented from accessing water. The Master of Martyrs (PBUH) was only obligated to use natural means, just as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF) used natural means in battles and did not utilize miraculous powers. Similarly, the Master of Martyrs (PBUH) was obligated to use natural means. Then, why doesn't Allah use miraculous powers to guide people to Islam and destroy the enemies? Allah is the Guide.

Question:The opponents challenge us by asking why we did not find a number of loyal companions with Imam Hussein, such as Jabir ibn Abdullah, Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, Abdullah ibn Ja'far, Ibn Abbas, and others?

Answer:In the name of Allah, Imam Hussein (PBUH) is infallible and must be obeyed, and he did what Allah commanded him to do. He took those who joined him and left those who did not, all by the command of Allah. We only know the wisdom and commands of Allah through His teachings and the teachings of His chosen representatives. Some of the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) companions were killed alongside Imam Hussein (PBUH). Allah is the Guide.

Question:Did the marriage between Umm Kulthum and Omar ibn Al-Khattab happen?

Answer:In the name of Allah, we have stated in various answers that the claim of the marriage of of Ali ibn Abi Talib's daughter (PBUH) is fabricated, and our righteous scholars, including the esteemed researcher, the great scholar, Syed Ja'far Murtada Al-'Amili (may his soul be sanctified), have confirmed this in his book "The Obscurity of Umm Kulthum: Investigation and Study." Allah is the Guide.

Question:In Nahjul Balagha, Imam Ali (PBUH) referred to Othman ibn Affan as the Prophet's (PBUH&HF) son-in-law, so did the Prophet (PBUH&HF) have four daughters?

Answer:In the name of Allah, I do not have evidence that the greatest Prophet (PBUH&HF) had a daughter other than Fatima (PBUH), and the daughters mentioned in your question are either the daughters of Khadija from her first husband, if she was married, or the daughters of her sister Hala who used to live with her and under the care of the Prophet (PBUH&HF). Allah is Guide.

Question:What is your opinion of Ibn Abbas?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the narrations about Ibn Abbas are confused, and it appears that he returned to the bosom of truth in his behavior in the end. However, we stop on his brother, Ubaidullah bin Abbas. Allah is the Guide.

Question:My question is regarding the loss of Lady Fatima Al-Zahra (PBUH) of her son who had not yet been born (Al-Muhsin). Is there any mention of him by Imam Ali (PBUH) or Lady Fatima (PBUH)? Has anyone from the Imams (PBUH) mentioned him? I request the answer to be supported by sources.

Answer:In the name of Allah, the distinguished scholar, Syed Muhammad Mahdi Al-Khurasani, addressed this matter and wrote a specific book about the son of his grandfather, Imam Ali (PBUH), Al-Muhsin. He expended great efforts, guided by the sanctity of his lineage, and felt the sorrow of his loss by his grandmother, Lady Fatima (PBUH). He and his family lived under the care of Imam Ali (PBUH), and they served the religion of his esteemed ancestor. Allah, the Exalted, granted him a long life, and you can refer to his work to find the information you seek. Wassalam.