Debate
Question :

Is it allowed for a Muslim to debate and discuss the differences between the schools, or should this be the scholars' job? And if it is allowed, are there any criteria which one should have to engage in these debates? And what is your opinion concerning young Shia Muslims, who engage in these discussions?

Answer :

A Muslim is expected not to speak in the matters of the Sharia without knowledge or without proof. There is no difference in this issue between the expert scholars and the regular layman. The difference is that the experts can obtain the evidences more easily through their research.

Learning the Religion
Question :

I am becoming more interested in our religion and wish to read more on it, not having much knowledge. What books do you suggest for me?

Answer :

There are lots of religious book that include religious teachings, like Nahjul-Balaghah. Similarly, books of narrations are also available like Al-Kafi, which consist of collections of narrations from the Infallibles. We advise you to read what relates to the general aspects of the religious knowledge like ethics, biography of the Prophet and the Imams and the narrations on the superiority of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) and their high rank. The details of the practical religious laws as explained by the jurists – as they are the experts in this field – are available. You are advised to refer to the treaties of the practical Islamic laws of the jurist that you emulate in order to know the specific rulings.

The Two Testimonies
Question :

To convert from being a non-Muslim to a Shia Muslim, what Kalima is to be recited?

Answer :

One should recite the two testimonies – the testimony of one’s belief that there is no god but Allah, and the testimony that Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) is the Messenger of Allah. In addition, one should belief in the guardianship (wilayah) of Imam Ali and the other eleven Imams (peace be upon them).

Teaching of Non-Mujtahid
Question :

Is it permissible for a person who is not a mujtahid to teach from books like Usool al-Kafi and Bihar al-Anwar?

Answer :

It is not permissible to inform about religious issues without knowledge, whether such information is in on religious jurisprudence or beliefs. Yes, it is permissible to search and study the religious sciences and learn about the narrations of the Ahlulbait and other related material.