Question:When Lady Zainab (PBUH) and Imam Zain al-Abidin (PBUH) left Kufa for Syria, which route and provinces did they pass through?

Answer:In the name of Allah, some historians have mentioned that the journey of the captives followed the following path: they first left Kufa to Tikrit, then to Mosul, Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Baalbek, and finally Damascus. Others reported the route as: from Karbala to Kufa, then to Ashkelon, passing through Mosul, Nisibis, Hama, and Homs before reaching Damascus. It should be noted, as we have repeatedly said, that it is difficult to determine with certainty the detailed sequence of the events of the Karbala tragedy due to the long passage of time and the differing sources. However, this lack of precision in minor details does not undermine the authenticity and gravity of the tragedy, which has been established through tawatur (multiple consistent reports). May the curse of Allah be upon the wrongdoers, and those who have wronged will soon know the fate they will meet.

Question:Why didn’t Imam Ali (PBUH) defend Fatimah (PBUH) when they attacked her house?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is established in our reliable sources that the Prophet (PBUH&HF) had informed Ali (peace be upon him) of what would befall him and his daughter and commanded him to be patient. In some sources, it is mentioned that when Ali (peace be upon him) heard this, he stood up and sat down again due to the severity of what he had heard and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Should I remain patient while the sanctity is violated?" The Prophet replied: "Yes, this is Jibra’il (Gabriel) informing me." The Prophet then said: "Tell Fatimah not to call out to me at the time of the enemy's aggression," and perhaps this is the reason why Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) called out to Fiddah instead. Allah is the All-Knowing.

Question:Why did Imam Ali (PBUH) not reclaim Fadak during his caliphate?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there could be many reasons for that. One of them is that the first and second caliphs claimed that they had placed Fadak for the benefit of the general Muslim public. The third gave it to some of his relatives, which provoked anger among the Muslims. So, had Imam Ali (PBUH) reclaimed Fadak and given it to himself or his children, the ignorant might have imagined that he followed the same path as the third caliph. It is also possible that the secret behind not reclaiming it lies in the statement of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (PBUH) to Abu Bakr when he insisted on not returning Fadak to her. She said: "Take it..." and then said: "You will meet him [the Prophet] after your resurrection and judgment, where Allah is the Judge and Muhammad (PBUH) is the opponent—there, the wrongdoers will be the losers." (paraphrased meaning). Another possible reason—hidden from us—was hinted at by Imam Ali (PBUH) when he was asked why he did not take back Fadak. He replied, in meaning, that the claimant and the usurper had already gone to meet Allah, the Exalted. Ultimately, the reason we must believe in is that Imam Ali (PBUH) is infallible; he acts according to what Allah commands him. He indeed acted accordingly, even if we do not understand the wisdom or reason behind it. Allah is the All-Knowing.

Question:Was Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) suffering from eye inflammation (ramad) on the day of the Battle of the Trench due to negligence of some health matters?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) is infallible. He does not abandon obligations nor commit prohibitions—neither intentionally nor unintentionally. Illnesses, regardless of their type, can occur as a trial from Allah (Glorified is He) or for another reason, such as the oppression of an oppressor. This is similar to what afflicted the prophets (PBUT), as indicated in the words of Prophet Ibrahim: “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me” [Qur’an 26:80], and in the case of Prophet Ya’qub: “And his eyes turned white from grief, and he was filled with sorrow”. Moreover, the narrations that refer to the affliction of the Commander of the Faithful (PBUH) with eye inflammation pertain specifically to Khaybar, not the Battle of the Trench. Wake up if you are asleep. Allah is the Guide.

Question:Is it established that Muhsin was the fifth child of Ali from Fatimah?

Answer:In the name of Allah, there has never been, nor is there, any doubt among the Shia regarding this. Yes, some scholars may, out of precaution (taqiyya), refrain from openly affirming the matter of Muhsin, as seems to be the case in some statements of Sheikh al-Mufid. Also, know that Muhsin, the martyred grandson (through oppression by the oppressor), is considered the fifth child only if we say that Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) had two daughters from Fatimah (peace be upon her), namely Zaynab and Umm Kulthum. However, this is a matter of scholarly dispute, as it is strongly possible that Zainab is the one who was also known as Umm Kulthum. Allah is the Guide and He is the All-Knowing.

Question:With whom was Salman al-Muhammadi paired in brotherhood?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it has been mentioned in the books of the Imami school that the brotherhood (Mu’akhāt) was between Salman and Abū Dharr, and also between Salman and al-Miqdād. Yes, it is stated in most books of the general (Sunni) scholars that the brotherhood was between Salman and Abū al-Dardā’, but this is unlikely, as it is known that Abū al-Dardā’ embraced Islam after the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had already established brotherhood among his companions. Some later Shia scholars have reported the brotherhood between Salman and Abū al-Dardā’ from Sunni sources, but, as you can see, there is hesitation regarding its authenticity. Allah is All-Knowing.

Question:Universal and religious traditions testify that the companions of the prophets are the best among the followers of their religion. If the followers of each religion were asked about the most virtuous among them, they would say: the companions of the messengers. If the followers of the Torah were asked, they would say: the companions of Moses; and if the followers of the Gospel were asked, they would say: the companions of Jesus. So, is companionship (with the Prophet) proof of superiority?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that if a companion was committed to religious rulings and obedience, then he attained both the honor of companionship and the honor of religion, and thus possesses virtue. However, one who is from the Ahl al-Bayt (Household of the Prophet) and descends directly from the Prophet (PBUH&HF), while also having attained purity, is superior even to the righteous companion. Allah is the Guide and All-Knowing.

Question:Imam Al-Hussain (PBUH) offered to return [home] to the camp of Ibn Saʿad after clarifying to them the reason for his coming that he came in response to their invitations and that they had promised to support him in his stance against Yazid ibn Muʿawiyah. The question is: why did the option of returning remain on the table?

Answer:In the name of Allah, know, my son, that the purpose behind Imam al-Hussain’s (peace be upon him) offer to return to where he came from, Mecca or Medina, was to establish the final proof (ḥujjah) against them. He (PBUH) knew that the enemies had surrounded him and would not allow him to return. Allah knows best.

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.