Turbah

A turbah (Arabic: تربة‎; Persian: مهر‎ mohr) is a small piece of soil or clay, often a clay tablet, used during salat (Islamic daily prayers) to symbolize earth. The use of a turbah is compulsory in most Shi'a schools of Islam and many Hadith mention the benefits of prostration (Sajda) upon the soil of the earth or an alternative material. The most favoured soil is that of Karbala, the site of the death of Husayn ibn Ali; however, soil from anywhere may be used.

175385

Earth . Sunni-Shi'a . Prostration (sujud) . Turbah

Does the Shia practice of Sajdah on clay or any earthly material include placing the palms, knees, and feet on clay as well, as the Prophet did? If not, why is this practice restricted to prostration of the forehead?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answer updated 1 year ago

The Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) never placed his forehead in Sajda but on clay or a material from the clay. He said: ( Earth is a place of my prostration and source of purification جُعِلَت لي الأرضُ مسجدا وطَهورا . This Hadeeth is narrated in Sunni books including Saheeh Al-Bukhari.

Placing palms, knees and feet must be on Taahir (pure) item but not necessarily on clay. This is according to authentic Hadeeths from the Prophet (SAWA). Details of these Hadeeths are mentioned in our jurisprudence books like Jawahir Al-Kalaam and our Hadeeth books like Wasaa'il Al-Shia by Al-Hurr Al-Aamily.

'Wassalam.

Wassalam.

115144

Turbah . Carpet

Is it obligatory to pray on Turbah or is it permissible to pray on carpet as well?

Mateen Charbonneau, Sheikh Mateen Joshua Charbonneau achieved a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. He undertook Howza classes under esteemed scholars since 2013 and has been teaching at Imam Mahdi... Answered 2 years ago

We may only prostrate on things that are permissible to prostrate on. See the section of prostration in the books of fiqh

120704

Turbah

Is it permissible to use a Turbah that says Ya Hussain (as) or is it better to utilize one without any engraving ?

It is permissible

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Muslims . Turbah . Sunni-Shi'a

Why do Shia Muslims pray on a Turbah specifically from Imam Hussain (as)?

1. It is obligatory to perform our Prayer as the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) performed Prayer as he has ordered every Muslim (Perform Prayers as you saw me performing Prayers) (.صَلّوا كما رآيتموني أُصَلّي ).

2. The Prophet (SAWA) never performed a Prayer but by putting his forehead on the earth or something from earth except textile or edible and said جُعِلَت ليَ الأرضُ مسجدا وطَهوراً (Earth was ordained for me a place of prostration and purification (Tayammum).

3. Prostration on carpet is a Bid’ah which never done by the Prophet nor Ahlul Bayt or any pious companion of the Prophet. Leading Sunni Shaikh said that prostrating on carpet (Sajjada ) is a Bid’ah.

4. We don’t prostrate putting our forehead but only on the earth or anything from earth except textile and edible. That is because we obey and follow the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA). This obligatory to keep our Prayer valid by following the order of the Prophet (SAWA).

5. We can put our forehead on any pure clay, though the clay of Karbala has been praised in many authentic Hadeeths being a sacred place, that is why use it as place for prostration as a recommended act.

‘Wassalam.

128837

Sunni-Shi'a . Turbah . Prostration (sujud) . Salah (Prayers) . Qur'an

Why do the Shia use Turba for prostration during prayers? Is there any Quranic evidence for it?

Allah Has clearly ordered us in Quran ( Sura 59, Verse 7) to follow the Prophet (SAWA) , and the Prophet (SAWA) never prostrated on carpet but only on the clay or earth and said ( Earth was made for me as a place of prostration and purification) جُعِلَت ليَ الأرضُ مسجدا وَطَهررا)

We Shia, prostrate on the clay (Turba) simply because we follow the Prophet (SAWA).

Wassalam.

137136

Turbah . Salah (Prayers) . Prostration (sujud)

Is the prayer void if we prostrate on the side of the Turbah that has the name of Imam Hussein (as)?

Yes, it is permissible to put your forehead in prostration on the side of the Turbah (Mahr or Sajdagah) which has writing on it.

Wassalam.

119480

Turbah . God (Allah)

Am I allowed to look at the name of Allah while I pray such as when it is inscribed on a Turbah?

Looking at the name of Allah is allowed during praying. It is recommended to look at the place of Sojood ( Turbah) when you are standing in Prayers.

Wassalam.

70423

Sunni-Shi'a . Turbah

Why do the Shia pray on a piece of wood or clay?

Shia Muslims follow the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) in every matter in religion and it is a confirmed fact among all the Sunni and Shia scholars that the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) never prayed on a carpet nor put his forehead in prayers but only on earth. He openly said (The earth was made for me as place of prostration ( Sojood) and source of purification (Tayammum). جُعِلَت لي الأرضُ مسجداً وطَهوراً

This Hadeeth was narrated in Bukhari 438 and Muslim 521 and many other Sunni books of Hadeeth.

This confirms that the Shia practice in the real Prophetic practice.

'Wassalam.

102810

Turbah

How should I pray if I don’t have my Turbah with me?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 4 years ago

Bismihi ta'ala

You do not necessarily need to do sajdah on a 'turbah'. It can be anything natural, as long as it is non-edible, and is not worn.

You can use a rock, marble, wood, or a leaf, etc.

You can use paper, only if you are certain that it is natural as well.

And Allah knows best.

100509

Baligh . Kaffara . Turbah

If someone at the age of three or four years threw a Sajdigah, made of Khak-e-Shifa, in a drain full of dirt and later realized, after becoming Baligh, then what will be the Kaffarah for this act?

No Kaffara and no responsibility on a child in the age of three or four. Estighfaar is always good.

'Wassalam.

88796

Salah (Prayers) . Sunni-Shi'a . Turbah

How can I justify to my Sunni brothers my use of a Sajdagah during prayers?

We are following the Prophet Muhammad who never did Sajda on carpet and always performed Sajda on the earth or plants which are not for wearing nor for eating. All Muslim scholars have the Prophetic Hadeeth: جُعِلت لي الارض مسجدا وطَهورا "The earth was ordained for me as a place of prostration and a material of purification" Saheeh al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salah, Hadeeth number 429.

The Prophet (SAWA) used to prostrate either on the earth or on piece of clay or mat called Khumrah ( Saheeh al-Bukhari , Kitab al-Salah, Hadeeth number 368) which is just like the Sajdagah which we, Shia Muslims use.

Those who do Sajda on the carpet are doing something which was never done by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) according to their own books of Hadeeth. They should ask themselves; why?

Ibn Taymiyyah, the godfather of Wahhabism stated that prostrating on carpet is Bid'ah.(Majmoo' al-Fataawa,Ibn Taymiyyah, Volume 22).

Wassalam.

76512

Battle of Karbala . Sunni-Shi'a . Salah (Prayers) . Turbah

Why do the Shia use a piece of clay from Karbala to pray on when the Prophet Muhammad (s) never prayed on it himself?

Mahmood Abu Maryam, Trying to make sense of it all... Answer updated 5 years ago

The Prophet (s) used to pray on earth and is also reported to have shown reverence towards the soil of Karbala in his lifetime with the foreknowledge of what would happen upon it.

So although it is not compulsory for the Shia to pray on a turba made from the soil of Karbala, it is considered meritorious to do so.

You can read more details with full references here:

https://www.al-islam.org/articles/laws-and-practices-why-do-shiah-prostrate-turbah