Jurisprudence and Rulings

The healing power of Quranic verses extends to both emotional and physical conditions. Divine healing is both general and particular; particular healing is granted to believers. Seeking healing through the Quran should go hand in hand with taking practical steps towards better health. In certain circumstances, however, it can work miracles, bringing healing while also nurturing the capacity to receive it.

The acceptance of other deeds depends on the acceptance of prayer, but this does not mean that prayer is the sole condition for accepting one’s worship. Prayer is like the main pillar of the edifice of devotion: without it, other deeds collapse. A complete prayer includes asking for guidance to the straight path and helping God’s servants along the way.

Through prayer, the worshipper comes under God’s boundless mercy, and the angels surround them. To maintain presence of heart, prayer should be offered as an earnest expression of one’s inner state—that is, the heart should accord with the words spoken. Prayer is the highest means of drawing near to God and purifying the soul; its fruit is willing submission to the Beloved’s will and judgment.

Praying at the earliest time is essential to attaining the highest spiritual ranks and brings divine pleasure. The superiority of the beginning of the prayer time over its end is like the superiority of the Hereafter over this world, though this does not apply to the sick or the traveler. The joy of praying at the earliest time carries the fragrance of God’s pleasure, and the most beloved deeds to God are those performed promptly.

The Imam of Our Time (AJ), who is a model of faith and worship and from whom divine rulings are derived, performs the prayers at the prescribed times for each geographical region. He upholds the sacred law and is aware of prayer times in different regions.

A report attributed to Anas ibn Mālik relates that Fāṭima (SA) asked Abū Bakr about the share of Dhū al-Qurbā in the khums and spoils of war mentioned in the Qur’an, and that Abū Bakr assigned it to the welfare of the Muslims. Although the report has a weak chain of transmission, it has been recommended that one rely on it and act upon it in the hope of divine reward. Other reports from Anas ibn Mālik concerning the merits of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) are also mentioned.

The minimum remembrance in bowing and prostration is to glorify God three times, as this practice is established in reports and was part of the Sunnah of the Prophet and the Imams. Some reports also consider one glorification sufficient, but saying it three times is preferable and carries greater merit. Repeating it helps engage the heart and mind in remembering and exalting God.

A lie told for a good reason is permissible only when the person is knowledgeable and skilled in its use, and knows when to resort to it. If a lie is told to prevent a sin and there is no other way to do so, it is unobjectionable. Otherwise, resorting to it is not recommended.

Income from employers who do not believe in the principles of religion and insult the sacred personages of the Imams (AS) is ill-omened and tainted, even if all the rules of business have been observed. Quranic verses stress the need to migrate in such circumstances.

Wearing cotton garments is approved by the Ahl al-Bayt and carries no restrictions. Wearing wool, however, is conditional: it may be worn for night worship, to feel the hardship of the poor, to identify with ordinary people, in illness or cold, or temporarily to cultivate humility. At times, wool garments have also been a symbol of hypocrites.

Hell encompasses the unbelievers in this world in the sense that they are held in the embrace of the Fire, imprisoned there for eternity. This encompassing is due to the realm of the unseen encompassing the material world; yet it does not burn them until the divine command to do so is given.

The verse “إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانَهُمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلًا” warns of the grave consequences of a false oath. It was revealed concerning Ashʿath ibn Qays, who used a false oath to take his brother’s property, thereby incurring God’s wrath, being denied purification, and facing a painful punishment.

Marriage, when entered into in accordance with the Prophet’s tradition and God’s rulings, with the intention of drawing closer to God, is blessed. But even a good deed becomes a cause of damnation if it is done with the intention of bringing about harm. True faith is demonstrated when someone accepts God’s rulings and decrees wholeheartedly, even when they go against personal desires—just as the Quran acknowledges that fighting may be something people dislike.

Praying on the roof of the Kaaba is not permissible when one has a choice, but it is allowed in cases of necessity. In that situation, the worshipper may pray facing any side of the roof. If, however, they are on scaffolding outside the roof, they must turn to face one of its sides.