Dawoodi Bohra Forum

Can anyone on this board throw some light as to why the Ithna Asheris use the Turbat (which they call it sajdaga) to do a sajda during the prayers.

was this a practice during the imams?

.

Why is it compulsory to prostrate on the clay from Karbala?

It is not ! But the Shi'ah prefer to prostrate on the earth of Karbala because of the importance given to it by the Prophet (s) and the Imams from his Family (Ahl al-Bayt). After the martyrdom of Imam Husayn (a), his son Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (a) picked some up, declared it to be sacred dust, and kept it in a bag. The Imams (a) used to perform prostrations on it and make a tasbih out of it, and recited Allah's praises on it.
[Ibn Shahrashub, al-Manaqib, vol. 2, p. 251]

They also encouraged the Shi'ah to perform prostrations on them, with the understanding that it was not compulsory, but with a view to achieving greater recompense. The Imams (a) insisted that prostration before Allah must be on clean earth only and that it was preferable if it was performed on that earth of Karbala.
[al-Tusi, Misbah al-Mutahajjad, p. 511]
[al-Saduq, Man la yahduruhu'l faqih, vol. 1, p. 174]

The Shi'ah for a long time have kept this earth with them. Then, fearing that it might be desecrated, they kneaded it into small tablets or pieces, which are now called mohr or Turbah. During prayers we prostrate on it not as a compulsory act but in view of its special nature. Otherwise, when we have no pure soil with us, we prostrate on clean earth, or something that originates from it.

It is a pity that some people maliciously insist that the Shi'ah worship stones or that they worship Husayn (a). The truth is that we worship Allah alone by prostrating on the Turbah, not to it. And we never worship Imam Husayn, Imam Ali, or the Prophet Muhammad (s). We worship only Allah, and it is in accordance with Allah's order that we perform prostration only on pure earth.

Conclusion:

This is the reason why Shi'ah Muslims carry small tablets, usually made from the earth of Karbala, which enables them to do prostration on this highly recommended object and to follow the sunnah of the Prophet (s).

To find out more about authentic Islam, visit:

http://al-islam.org/faq/

.

Dear Muslim First,

Thank you for the important information on turbat. I came to know about it when I was in Syria.

People out of maliciousness would just exaggrate things. I, for one, don't think you guys worship stones.

.
Br. Africawala

I am not Shia. I do not think you need clay tablet from Karbala to worship Allah SWT.

If Shia Brothers think that their Namaaz becomes superior due to Sujud on Karbala clay then it is good for them.

I just provided info. from Shia site.

Wasalaam
.

peace be upon u all...

Just to add...

According to the Shi'ah Ja'fari fiqh - which is one of the five main schools of law in Islam - prostration must be performed on pure earth or what grows on it, provided that it is not eaten or worn. This includes dust, stone, sand and grass, provided that it is not a mineral. Prostration on paper is permitted, because it is made of a material which grows on earth, but not cloth or carpets.

(http://al-islam.org/nutshell/files/turbah.doc)

After this u can append Br. Muslims post to understand why sand of kerbala is used/preffered....

AS Humble Servant,

Cotton cloth is also allow and was one of three methods the Prophet used (others being palm leaves and clean earth). The Prophet's prayer mats were either made of palm leaves or cotton (preferably white).

.
Prophet SAW never carried a tablet of clay to pray on.

Clay is clay. Clay from Karballa has no magic property or superiority.

It is superiority of your prayers which count.

Wasalaam
.

MuslimFirst,
The Prophet didn't pray on clay he prayed on occassion clean earth. He also considered the earth of some place more blessed then other (ie. around the Kabah or the earth in Jeruslem. The point of praying on Karbala earth piece is to gain the blessing of praying on the earth of Karbala or Najaf..whether Iraq or in Minnesota.

Dear Muslim,

Well Holy Prophet dint carry the holy sand of Karbala since at that time the Imam Hussain was not Martyrdom in Karbala.

Further, your argument regarding that giving sajda on holy sand of karbala does not make your prayers more near to God, its just matter of belief and wasila. If u believe in Wasila then u would have not said this. I guess u dont, so its no use to argue with you.