1. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims
  2. Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

Ask A Question About Islam And Muslims

21 Questions

Placing my forehead in prostration on a Turbah that has engraved writing sometimes hurts. Is it acceptable if I flip it around so that the writing is on its back?
Zoheir Ali Esmail

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. There is no problem in doing that at all.

May you always be successful.
Is it allowed to pray on a Turbah with any of the names of the Imams carved on it? Isn't it akin to Shirk?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

Yes it is allowed. We are prostrating to Allah putting our forehead on the ground or Turbah. We are Not prostrating to the ground or to the Turbah. Those who prostrate on the carpet, are they worshipping the carpet?? Obviously no. Same with prostrating on the Turbah or Mohr or etc.

Names graved on the Turbah does not mean that we are prostrating to the Imams. We prostrate to Allah only.

Wassalam.
While visiting Karbala I have seen Turba for sale that has Ziyarat-e-Ashura written on it. Is it permissible to prostrate on it given that it has something written on it?
Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi

It is permissible to prostrate on a clay on which something is written, though it is much better to prostrate on plain clay ( Torbah) or Mohr or Sajdagah.

Wassalam.
Is the prayer invalid without prostrating on the Turbah or a similar piece of mud?
Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb

According to Shia jurisprudence, Sajda should be performed on earth, and on those things which are not edible nor worn, and on things which grow from earth (e.g. wood and leaves of trees). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) also performed Sajda on soil and other things which are considered to be a part of earth such as sand, clay, stone, plants (wood) etc. not on carpet, rug, leather and plastic materials.  The Turbah of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on which Sajda is valid and which has superiority over other soils and things, is one of the manifestations of earth (or soil). Hence, Sajda is allowed on it.
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