Question:What is the opinion of Sharia regarding Aqeel ibn Abi Talib, where there are traditions from new Shia sources which dispraise him. Would you please answer us with mentioning authentic Shia sources so as we know the position towards him?

Answer:In the name of Allah, regarding the issue that he left Ali ibn Abi Talib and joined Mu’awyia for the sake of money, this is not proved in an authentic source. Perhaps, It might be Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) who has sent him there to see what is the position regarding Ali (PBUH) because the rumors were spread by Mu’awyia and his followers among the people of Levant who have been taken away by such rumors. The rumors were that Ali (PBUH) was a corrupt man who does not pray or fast and his concern was taking the people’s money and shedding blood, may Allah forbid. It seemed that Mu’awyia felt that he was sent for this purpose, so he did not allow him to meet people by making him reside in Mu’awyia’s house. Since Aqeel was not able to meet people, he left Levant. However it was, the story is wrong and was written under the control of Umayyad and as per their benefits. There is neither refuge nor power but from Allah.

Question:In the book Bihar Al-Anwar by Al-Majalisy (May Allah have mercy on him), it is narrated that the prophet (PBUH&HF) was praying for a boy who has shaved his head in a way that he shaves the sides and leaves the middle. Then, the prophet (PBUH&HF) has ordered to shave the whole of the boy’s head. Sheikhana, most of the young boys nowadays are shaving their heads like this description. Is it permissible or not?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised, my son, that the author of the book does not clarify the description of the shaving well as the word mentioned has some other meanings. As per the dictionary, the meaning of the word “Qaza’” is lo leave curls of hair in different parts of the head. What the youth do nowadays is not related to this type of description of shaving. Allah knows best.

Question:The narrator Yahya Al-Maziny narrated: In Al-Madeena Al-Munawara, I became a neighbor to the Master of the faithful (PBUH) and very near to where his daughter Zainab (BPUH) lives. I swear to Allah that I have never heard her voice or seen her character. If she wanted to go visit her grandfather’s (PBUH&HF) grave, she would have gone out at night accompanied by Hassan on her right, Hussain on her left and the master of the faithful (PBUH) in the front. If she gets closer to the grave, Imam Ali (PBUH) extinguishes the fire of the candles. Imam Hassan (PBUH) asked him about the reason. He (PBUH) said “I am afraid that somebody will see your sister Zainab.” Is this narration authentic?

Answer:In the name of Allah, this narration is well known. It speaks about the greatness of Zainab (PBUH) and the caution of Imam Ali (PBUH) that she cannot be seen by anyone who is not religiously permitted to see her. This narration is mentioned in the book “Zainab Al-Kubra” by Sheikh Jaafar Al-Naqdi, page 22 in the new versions and in page 41 in the second edition of the old version (1947): Al-Zahraa Press, Annajaf Al-Ashraf. It has also been narrated by Sheikh Faraj Al Imran Al-Qateefy in his book “Wafat Zainabul Kubra”. Concerning the narrator, he is Yahya ibn Amara ibn Abi Al-Hassan Al-Maziny Al-Madani. He is a third class narrator and considered a public narrator of the prophet (PBUH&HF). The historians have mentioned that he is an authentic and trustworthy narrator. His narrations were mentioned in Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Al-Tirmithi, Al-Nisa’I and Ibn Maja. Allah knows best.