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.

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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 2 months 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.

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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?

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... Answered 3 months ago

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

'Wassalam.

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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.

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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 1 year 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

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Turbah

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, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 1 year ago

Bismillah

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

May you always be successful.

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Turbah

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?

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.

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Karbala . Prostration (sujud) . Ziyarat Ashura . Turbah

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?

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.

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Salah (Prayers) . Turbah . Prostration (sujud)

Is the prayer invalid without prostrating on the Turbah or a similar piece of mud?

Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb, Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He is a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa Open... Answered 2 years ago

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.
www.islamquest.net

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Turbah . Epoxy

Can we cover the turbah with a transparent thin layer of an epoxy to avoid it from staining?

So in this case, you will prostrate on the epoxy, not the Turbah and the prostration on that, even if it's transparent and thin does not suffice.

Turbah . Epoxy

Can we cover the turbah with a transparent thin layer of an epoxy to avoid it from staining?

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

No because epoxy would be a barrier between you and the thing which is permissible to do sajdah on.

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Turbah . Prostration (sujud)

Is it haram to prostrate on a turbah that has become dark in colour?

Abbas Jaffer, Sheikh Abbas Jaffer is an optometrist by profession and has a Master’s degree in Islamic Sciences. He is a part time lecturer at the Islamic College in London and is currently writing his doctoral... Answered 2 years ago

If there is a layer that has formed on the turbah which is a barrier that stops the forehead from reaching the clay, then it must be cleaned or scraped away first

Turbah . Prostration (sujud)

Is it haram to prostrate on a turbah that has become dark in colour?

Thank you for your question. As long as the darkness is not due to any barrier between the turbah and the forehead you can prostrate on it. Usually, the darkness is due to water or swear and so the darkness is just discolouration of the clay rather than a barrier.

May you always be successful