Salat al-Tasbeeh: Sunnah or Weak Practice
Authenticity of the Hadith, Scholarly Views, and the Ruling
Salat al-Tasbeeh is mentioned in narrations with the promise of immense reward, but the hadiths supporting it are weak. The majority of scholars do not regard it as a confirmed Sunnah. It should not be practiced as a regular or emphasized prayer, though some allow it occasionally. The safe path is to focus on authentic and established Sunnah prayers.
| Salat al-Tasbeeh — Critical Overview | |
|---|---|
| Practice | A four-rak‘ah prayer where “Subḥān Allāh, al-ḥamdu lillāh, Allāhu akbar, lā ilāha illallāh” are recited 300 times throughout the prayer. |
| Islamic ruling | Hadith is weak; not an established Sunnah. The majority of scholars discourage making it a regular practice. Some allow it occasionally due to general virtue of dhikr. |
| When it started | Narrated in later collections (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi), but not practiced or transmitted by the Companions in a widespread, consistent manner. |
| Where it spread | Found in some Sufi traditions and among individuals seeking extra forgiveness, though not universally practiced across Muslim lands. |
| Practices associated with it |
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| Similarities in other religions (Muslims likely copied from) |
These show how formula-based prayers can develop outside of revelation. |
Prophetic Guidance
The hadith about Salat al-Tasbeeh is reported in Sunan Abū Dāwūd and Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, but scholars judged it weak. Imam al-Nawawī said:
“Salat al-Tasbeeh is not recommended due to the weakness of its hadith.” (al-Majmū‘)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever introduces into this matter of ours what is not from it, it is rejected.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2697; Sahih Muslim 1718
Scholarly Consensus
– Imam Nawawī, Ibn Taymiyyah, and al-Albānī: Hadith is weak, prayer not Sunnah.
– Ibn Bāz: Allowed occasionally if done without belief it is Sunnah, but advised focusing on stronger practices.
– Some scholars permitted it due to the general encouragement of dhikr and prayer, but not as an established ritual.
The Wisdom Behind the Ruling
- Authenticity: Ensures worship is built on sound evidence.
- Focus: Keeps priority on established Sunnah like witr, duha, and rawātib.
- Clarity: Prevents weak reports from being treated as binding Sunnah.
- Unity: Stops the spread of contested practices that divide communities.
Common Misconceptions
1) “It is a Sunnah prayer taught to al-‘Abbās.”
The narration is weak; it cannot establish a Sunnah.
2) “Repeating tasbīḥāt makes it special.”
Dhikr is virtuous, but inventing fixed prayer forms without authentic proof is not Sunnah.
3) “Since some scholars allowed it, it must be fine.”
Permissibility in rare opinions does not make it a Sunnah; the majority rejected it.
Contemporary Reflections
Many Muslims perform Salat al-Tasbeeh with sincerity. But sincerity alone does not validate an act. Stronger alternatives exist: regular Sunnah prayers, witr, tahajjud, and authentic adhkār. These bring forgiveness with certainty.
Conclusion
Salat al-Tasbeeh is based on a weak hadith and is not an established Sunnah. While some scholars allowed it occasionally, the stronger view is to avoid it and focus on authentic Sunnah acts of worship. Islam already provides numerous confirmed pathways to forgiveness and closeness to Allah.
References
Primary Sources
Hadith
- Sunan Abū Dāwūd 1297: Narration on Salat al-Tasbeeh.
- Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī 481: Similar narration on Salat al-Tasbeeh.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2697; Sahih Muslim 1718: Rejection of innovations.
Secondary Sources
- Al-Nawawī, al-Majmū‘: Declared the hadith weak, not Sunnah.
- Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmū‘ al-Fatāwā: Rejected Salat al-Tasbeeh as a practice.
- Al-Albānī, Silsilat al-Aḥādīth al-Ḍaʿīfah: Classified the hadith as weak.
- Ibn Bāz, Fatāwā: Advised against establishing it, allowed occasional practice if done privately.