Question:What is Jizyah (a tribute paid by non-Muslims under Muslim regime)? Does it contradict justice? There is a verse in the Holy Quran, Chapter of Al-Tawbah saying: “until they pay tribute out of hand and have been humiliated.” What is meant by that?”

Answer:In the name of Allah, when the infidel who lives under Muslims’ protection pays the tribute, he should be modest, not seeking to be appreciated by Muslims. It is known that such rules exist in the considerate Islam which reserves all human rights that are not available for the time being. Allah is the all Guide and Knowing.

Question:Why are there non-Arabic words in Quran?

Answer:In the name of Allah, if your intention is to object to the One Who says the words, I advise you to repent to Allah, before the bad consequences of such an act happen to you in this world before the hereafter. On the other hand, if you mean that language of Quran is not Arabic, a consensus agreement that Quran is revealed in Arabic, especially the proper nouns in it and so do the other types of nouns, as their rules are the same as those of the proper nouns. Additionally, Quran does not contain non- Arabic derivations. Allah is the all Guide and Knowing.

Question:I would like to have an interpretation to the following verse: “Believers, have fear of Allah and seek the means by which you come to Him. Struggle in His Way in order that you are prosperous”?

Answer:In the name of Allah, Allah orders us to have piety because piety is the key to accept all deeds, as Allah says “Allah only accepts the deeds of the pious ones”. Allah also urges us towards whatever leads to Allah. This can be achieved through several things. It can be achieved through good deeds and recommended prayers such as Nawafil of the night as the Imam (PBUH) recommends. It could also be achieved through another aspect which is to win Ahlulbaits’ (PBUH) intercession. They (PBUH) are a crucial means to get us closer to Allah the exalted. Allah is the All-Guide and Knowing.

Question:When I recite the whole Quran and want to dedicate the rewards of the recitation to a group of our diseased believers, is there any formula for that? Should I mention their name when dedicating?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is enough to have the names in mind as an intention that you will dedicate the rewards of recitation of the whole Quran for them. Be advised that you can dedicate the act of recitation to a group and the rewards of the same recitation for another group or a person. Thus, in doing so, you will have two deeds; one is the recitation and the other is the rewards. Such acts are worshiping good deeds. Allah is the All-Expanded and Knowing.

Question:Is the phonetic rule of Quran recitation from Ahlulbait (PBUH)? Taking a glance at the Islamic society, one might not find the Shia scholars interested in this field. For followers of Ahlulbait (PBUH), normal recitation of the Quran is preferred rather than the phonetic rules of Quran recitation. What is the reason?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it seems from your words that you are not aware of what Fatwas our scholars have and I have in this regard. The prayer’s pronunciation should follow the phonetic rules of Quran recitation which are of two types: A. The recitation will not be correct unless the phonetic rules of recitation are correct; something related to the articulations. B. The rules that embellish and better the recitation. This is not obligatory, a matter that the outstanding Shia scholars have stated and so have I. We have also stated that the first type should be paid much attention in terms of the phonetic rules of reciting the holy Quran such as the pronunciation of correct short vowels and where to pause or not to pause. Any incorrect short vowel or pause is considered a different melody and incorrect utterance. Some scholars regard parsing as overt melody and articulations as covert melody. Allah is the All- Guide and Knowing.

Question:What is the opinion of our respected scholars in the issue of Distortion of Quran?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised, my son, that distortion is attributed to all the disputers and it is found in their books even that of Al-Bukhari. Some of our Shia scholars, as Abu Al-Qasim Al-Khoee (may Allah rest his soul in peace), however, denied it in his book “Al-Bayan”. I, myself, deny and reject the Quran distortion. If distortion is meant to increase or decrease in the Quran, it is not proved for me. What is proved for me is that the Quran was compiled and written at the time of the Prophet (PBUH&HF), a reason why he (PBUH&HF) said I entrust you with the two precious things: the book of Allah and my progeny. If the book is not written, how come the prophet called it a book?! Allah is the All-Guide and Knowing.

Question:Is it obligatory to stop everything and listen to the Quran when being recited (sometimes it is being recited in many mosques at the same time)? What if the voice is not understood? What if one cannot hear the voice well?

Answer: In the name of Allah, the verse which ordered us to listen to Quran has been clarified by the Infallibles (PBUH) as the one which is recited loudly by the Imam (the leader of the congregational prayers) and it is obligatory for the one who prays after the Imam to listen to it if he hears the Imam’s voice. Allah knows best.

Question:Whoever recites the chapter of Al-Tawbah, he seeks refuge to Allah from Satan and starts reciting without saying bismillah arrahmanul Raheem. In case, the reciter does not finish the chapter and wants to continue next day, after seeking refuge, should he recite the Basmalah, i.e. saying bismillah arrahmanul Raheem?

Answer:In the name of Allah, it is permissible to start with the Basmalah, provided that he is not allowed to regard the Basmalah as part of the Quran chapter. In other words, starting with the Basmalah is regarded as an act in which Basmalah is required as entering into or getting out of a room. As for seeking refuge, it should be uttered before reciting. Allah knows best.

Question:It is mentioned in the holy Quran in the chapter of Al-Nahl, verse 98, which says: “If you recite Quran, you should seek Allah’s refuge from the stoned Satan”. Should the reciter say, “I seek refuge to Allah from the stoned Satan” before starting, not in another way like “I seek refuge to Allah from the evil of the stoned Satan”? If the reciter does not seek refuge from Satan, would he be a sinner?

Answer:In the name of Allah, the abovementioned formula is correct as required to seek refuge from the evil of the stoned Satan. However, shortening it in the way which says” I seek refuge to Allah from the stoned Satan” is better, following the Infallibles (PBUH). If the reciter does not seek the refuge, he will not be a sinner, but he will miss the reward of seeking refuge from Satan. Allah knows best.

Question:Why is the name of the chapter Al Yaseen written Il Yaseen instead of Al Yaseen? Which one is correct? Is it permissible to recite it either way?

Answer: In the name of Allah, we have to commit to the way of reciting which is compatible to the writing. Thus, it is read as: Il Yaseen. This word is treated like the separated graphemes at the beginning of the chapters which should be persevered as they are until the reappearance of the Awaited Imam (may Allah hasten his reappearance) to interpret them. Allah knows best.