A Powerful Supplication (Tasbih)
Saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ – 34 times, ‘Alhamdulillah’ – 33 times and ‘Subhanallah’ – 33 times.The Tasbih of Fatimah (Arabic: تَسْبِيح فَاطِمَة), commonly known as “Tasbih al-Zahra” (Arabic: تَسْبِيح ), is a special kind of Dhikr which is attributed to Syeda Fatema Zehra (peace be upon her) beloved Daughter of the Holy Prophet(Peace be upon him and his family)
It consists of saying following
34 Repitions of;
(ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ)
allāhu ʾakbar,
33 Repitions of
(ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ),
al-ḥamdu lillāhi
33 Repitions of
(سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ)
subḥāna -llahi
Imam Jafar Sadiq(as) in Behaarul Anwaar Vol 85, Pg. 334)
It is a recomended tradition to say the following statement after Tasbih al-Zahra’:
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ
la ilaha illa allahu
Background: According to anarration from Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib ( as), the Holy Prophet(saws) taught this dhikr (Tasbih of Fatimah) to his daughter Fatimah(sa). According to this narration Fatimah(sa), who was tired due to daily routine, intended to ask her father for a servant to perform chores. Her father (Muhammad) heard of what she had to say, and so he went to her house, and sat with her, then said, “May I not direct you to something better than what you have asked for?” He then taught her the mentioned tasbih, and said that it would be better for them than a servant; hence Fatimah was pleased with it.[8]
1. One of the conditions of worship, rather the most important of them all, is being attentive in its performance. This is specially so in the recitation of Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.).
2. There should be continuity in the recitation of the Tasbeeh without any interruptions. This has been the practice of our holy Imams (a.s.) (Al- Kaafi, Kitaabus Salaat, Pg. 343 )
3. In case one has a doubt regarding the number of Azkaar that he has recited, then he should start again. This is according to a tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) (Al- Kaafi, Kitaabus Salaat, Pg. 342 )
Merits of ‘Tasbih’ of Syeda Fatema Zehra (a.s)
The Tasbeeh of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is from the emphatically recommended acts of worship in the Islamic Shariat. It has immense significance in the eyes of the Infallible Imams (a.s.) and the Shiite jurists. It is a simple ,short yet very powerful act of worship from the aspect of performance; its effect, reward and merit are abundant. This can be gauged from the fact that when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) wished to impart this act of worship to his daughter Lady Zahra (s.a.), he declared, ‘O Fatima! I have granted you something that is superior to a maidservant and to the world and everything in it.’
(Aasaar o Asraare Tasbeehe Zahra (s.a.) , Pg. 7)
Etiquettes
i)Observation of number and sequence:
first, Allah Akbar (God is the greatest) for 34 times, then, al-Hamd li Allah (Praise be to God) for 33 times, and Subhan Allah (Glory be to God) for 33 times;
ii)Presence of heart;
iii)Saying the Tasbih immediately after daily prayers without doing anything else or changing the posture;
iv)No gaps or pauses should interrupt the Tasbih.
Re Reciting Tasbeeh immediately after Salat
Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) should be recited immediately on completion of Namaz. This entails that as soon as the reciter has finished the Namaz, he should remain seated in the same position of Tashahud without moving his feet and doing any other thing, immediately he should commence the recitation of the Tasbeeh. The reciting of Tasbeeh immediately on completion of Namaz has a special excellence, which is not there otherwise.
The above statement can be evidenced by the following tradition of Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) wherein he states: “One who recites the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) before even moving his feet, Allah will forgive him..” (At-Tahzeeb of Shaikh Toosi (r.a.) , Vol 2, Pg. 105) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has said :
“One who recites the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) after a wajib namaz before he stretches out his legs ( i.e. he recites the Tasbeeh while he is in the posture of Tashahud) , then Jannat becomes wajib upon him”
(Falaahus Saael by Ibne Taaoos (r.a.), Pg. 165)
Another tradition from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says:“One who glorifies Allah after the obligatory prayer through the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.), and then follows it up by saying ‘Laa elaaha illallaho’, Allah will forgive his sins.” (Al-Kafi, Kitabus Salaat, Pg. 342)
Reciting the Tasbeeh of Syeda Zahra (s.a.) before sleeping Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says :
“One who recites the Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) at the time of going to bed, he will be accounted amongst those who have remembered Allah a lot.”
(Wasaaelush Shia Vol 4, Pg. 1026)
In the book ‘Wasaaelush Shia’ there is a tradition from Imam Mohammad Baqir (as) which says that at the time of going to bed, Tasbeeh of Hazrat Zahra (s.a.)and then Maoozatain (Surah Falaq and Surah Naas) and Ayatul Kursi should be recited. Teaching the recitation of Tasbeeh to the children
Pray to Allah to grant us the Taufeeq that we may be regular in its recitation.
