Day Questions

How do we explain the punishments imposed by the Sharia for various crimes, such as the death penalty for apostates, while the Quran says that there is no compulsion in religion?

Applying the Sharia-defined punishments is the duty of the Prophet and the Imams (peace be upon them). No doubt, applying them is a form of justice and not an oppressive act. The punishment is set in the Sharia after the evidence is established and becomes clear in such a way that the noncompliant is considered as an oppressor against himself and the society. As such, the Sharia-defined punishment is not considered against human rights. The verse alluded to refers to the fact that the religion is based on beliefs, and beliefs are not imposed, and does not indicate that there is no punishment imposed by the Sharia for disbelief out of stubbornness and transgression.

How can we prove the imamate of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) from the Holy Quran?

The imamate of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them) can be proven from the holy Quran by a number of ways. Amongst them: - "Your guardian can be only Allah, and His messenger and those who believe, who establish worship and pay the poor due while bowing down (in prayer)." (Quran 5:55) This verse was revealed at the incident where Imam Ali (peace be upon him) gave his ring as charity while he was bowing in prayer. The verse joined his guardianship to the guardianship of the messenger of Allah, which is the leadership of the Muslim nation, i.e. the Imamate. - "Nor does he speak of (his own) desire" (Quran 53:3). The verse indicates that what the Prophet says is from Almighty Allah. The orders of the Prophet were to follow his household when he said in this commonly known narration: “I leave among you the two weighty things: the book of Allah and my progeny; as long as you are attached to them both, you will never be misguided." The Prophet also ordered us to follow Imam Ali in the famous narration of Ghadeer: "Whosoever’s master I am, Ali is his master." In another narration, the Prophet said: "Ali is your master after my demise," and many more narrations.

Can a Muslim woman donate her hair to a child cancer patient that will use the hair as a wig? Is it not prohibited because non-mahram people are going to see it?

It is permissible to donate her hair. It is prohibited for the woman to uncover her hair in the presence of non-mahram men if the hair is attached to her and not when it is cut.