Check our new online courses here; or see the details below.
Bismillāh.
وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
Whoever saves a life is as though he had saved all mankind.
(Sūrat Al-Mā’idah No. 5 Āyat 32)
The above was revealed as part of the verse following the account of the sacrifice of the sons of Prophet Adam ‘alayhis-salām. Hābīl’s offering was accepted by the Almighty, and Qābīl’s sacrifice was rejected. Overcome by jealousy, Qābīl killed his brother, which marked the first murder in human history. As a result of this event, the Quran presents a universal principle, stating:
مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ
For this reason, We prescribed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person—without that person having committed murder or spread corruption on the earth—it is as though he has killed all of mankind; and whoever saves a life, it is as though he has saved the lives of all mankind(Q 5:32)
It is noteworthy that within the verse that prohibits murder and manslaughter, Allah ‘azza wajall also brings man’s attention to the noble act of saving lives. It is only Allah the Exalted that has the power to give, take and restore life. One of the names of Allah subhānahu wata‘ālā is Al-Muhyi. It is derived from ‘ihyā’, meaning the one who gives life. The Quran states وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ – And it is He who gives life and causes death (Q23:80)
But the Almighty has given His creation the opportunity to manifest this attribute by becoming the means through which Allah the Almighty gives life to His creation. The Quran uses the expression “as if” (fa-ka-‘anna-ma) which indicates that although the death or life of one person is not literally equal to that of all society, it bears a resemblance to it. God will reward him with the reward of one who gives life to all.
The apparent meaning of this verse pertains to the physical safeguarding of human lives. This includes the work of doctors, nurses, firefighters, or even those who dig wells in remote areas. As Imam Ja‘far al-Ṣādiq (a) said: Whoever quenches the thirst of a thirsty person in a place where water is not found, it is as if he has given life to a soul. ((Kulaynī, al-Kāfī, 7:271)
The Quran also speaks of a higher form of life. In addition to living an animalistic life, a human being has the potential of living a human life. This refers to a life with Divine purpose and a soul that is adorned with Divine character. The role of the Prophets was to call us towards living human life, as evident in the following verse:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ
O you who believe! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. (Q8:24)
Therefore, the deeper meaning of this verse applies to those who guide others. This refers to preachers, teachers, parents who direct their children towards Godliness, or even a community member who enjoins good and forbids evil.
When Imam al-Sādiq (a) was asked about this verse, he first said: (It may refer to) one who saves another from burning or drowning…” After a pause, he added: But its greater interpretation is about calling someone toward truth or away from falsehood, and that person responding. (Huwayzī, Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, 1:620)
The verse demonstrates the sanctity of life in Islam, and the importance of saving even a single life. This includes the life of the body and more importantly the life of the soul. As we start a new school year, we pray to the Almighty to bless and guide our esteemed teachers as they nourish new life into the souls of their students and enable them to become amongst the soldiers of Imam Al-Mahdī ‘ajjalallāhu farajahu.
Sources: Āyatullāh Nāsir Makārim Shirāzī (Ed.), Tafsīr-e Namūneh; Allāmah Muhammad Husayn Tabātabā’ī, Tafsīr al-Mīzān.
ALI 706: Simple Islamic Laws for Sisters, Level 1
This online course will cover the essential Islamic laws for a Shi’i Muslim, using the translation of Darsnaameye Feqh by Sh. Muhammad Husayn Fallahzaade. Laws will be taught in accordance with the opinions (fatāwā) of Ayatullah Syed Sistani and Ayatullah Syed Khamenei. The course will begin with the basics of Tahārat(purification) and then move on to Salāt (prayer), slowly working through the topics in a clear and relatable way.
Eligibility: Shi’i Muslim sisters ages 14 – 30 years
Schedule: 12 Friday evenings from Sep 12 to Nov 28, 2025
Timings: 11 pm UK; 6 pm NY/Toronto; 3 pm Seattle/Vancouver.
Instructor: Sh Muhammad Mahdi Kassamali. Fees: CAD $50.00
ALI 707: Quranic Arabic and Knowledge – Level 2 (begins in twelve days)
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a) has said: Learn Arabic, for it is the word of Allah with which He speaks to His creation [in the Holy Quran]. In this online course, specially tailored for past and present Madrasah teachers, we will discuss simple Quranic vocabulary and grammar. To make it interesting, occasionally we will cover short stories and historical events in the Quran and their application in our daily lives. In this level, we will identify nouns and their different forms, a few verbs, and particles from Surahs Numbers 108 to 114 of the Quran.
Scholars on learning Quranic Arabic
Eligibility: All past and present Madrasah teachers are welcome to join this course, including those who were unable to register for Level 1. Most of the material from Level 1 will be revised in Level 2, and the recordings for Level 1 are available at: www.academyofislam.com/ali-702/.
Schedule: 6 Wednesdays, Sep 24 to October 29, 2025
Timings: 5-6 pm in LA/Vancouver, 8 – 9 pm in NY/Toronto
Instructor: Sh. Hasanayn Kassamali Fees: CAD $50.00
Attendance and Homework: This course is designed for those who are serious about learning Quranic Arabic by attending all live sessions, participating actively in class, and completing homework assignments. Homework will be shared with classmates for feedback and discussion.
Registration for all courses: www.academyofislam.com/registration/