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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Your Questions Answered (volume 2) Question : Do You Believe the Story of Miraji ? Answer: We believe that our Holy Prophet ascended with body up to 'Arsh' at least once while he was at Mecca. Question : Do you pray five times a day or four times a day as indicated in the Qur'an? Are your prayers like those of the Sunnis, that is (a) Fajr 2 rakaas; (b) Dhuhur 4 rakaas; (c) Asr 4 rakaas; (d) Maghrib 3 rakaas and (e) Isha 4 rakaas ?

How do you call for prayers ? How do you aim at prayers (e.g., saying 'Usalli faradh Subh') ? What are the necessary steps to follow so as to fulfil (i) Prayer; (ii) Fasting (iii) Zaka (iv) Hijja ? Answer: We pray 5 times (not 4 times) and there is no difference in the number of Rakaas. For further details please refer to our 'Kitabu Cha Sala' and 'Kitabu Cha Saumu'. (Now "Elements of Islamic Studies" is recommended).

Question : What are the obligations of a Shia Muslim to God, Prophet, Caliph, Living Parents, Imam, Neighbour, Orphan, Ruler, Government, Widow, Stranger, Poor, Wife, Money, Child, Non- Muslim, Religion as a whole and Country ? What are the obligations of a ruler to Citizens, Government servants, Soldiers, Government money, Religion and its leaders, Poors, Wives and children of those who died for their country and faith ?

Answer: There is a tradition of our 4th Imam Ali Zainul-Abedeen, son of Imam Husain, describing the duties of a Muslim towards his fellows. That tradition is the cream of Islamic ethics. It is not possible to give that tradition, because space does not allow it. Its translation has been published as "Reciprocal Rights". (It is available from this Mission). Question: What are the qualifications of (i) Caliph, (ii) Imarn, (iii) Lawyer, (iv) Treasurer, (v)General of the army ?

Answer: I have already mentioned the qualifications and conditions necessary for an Imam (or as you say, Caliph). Anyhow, if by Imam' you mean 'one who leads in prayers' then he, in addition to other necessary qualifications, must be 'Aadi!', i.e. one who does not commit any Kabirah (big) sin even by mistake and does not repeat any Saghirah (small) sin if committed by mistake. About others : Lawyer: Lawyer, as known today, is not recognised in Islam.

Of course, there were and are experts of Islamic Laws. Treasurer and General of the Army: They were to be appointed by the Holy Prophet or the Imam, and it is their prerogative whom to appoint.