Authenticity of the Shortened Form of Salaatut Tasbeeh

Nasihah (Advice): The Second House of Allah on Earth

Sayyiduna Abu Zarr Radhiyallahu Anhu reports: I asked, “O Messenger of Allah, “Which was the first Masjid built on earth?” He replied, “Al-Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah.” I then asked, “Which was built next?” He said, “Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.” I asked, “What was the period of construction between these two Masjids?” He replied, “40 years.” (Sahih Bukhari)

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Question and Answer:

1. Recently a shortened form of Salaatut Tasbeeh has been circulating on social media. Are we able to read Salaatut Tasbeeh in short as described below:

SHORT SALAATUT TASBEEH

Make niyyah for 2 rakaats nafl salaah or include the niyyah of Salaatut Tasbeeh when reading any 2 rakaat nafl salaah. Read the third kalimah 10 times in the 2 rakaats, in any posture, eg: 5 times in the first rakaat, 5 times in the second rakaat.

(Question published as received)

1. The Salaah in question is derived from the following narration. Anas bin Maalik Radiyallahu anhu reports, “Ummu Sulaim Radhiyallahu anha once came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me some words with which I may supplicate in my Salaah.’ Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam responded, ‘Recite Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar 10 times each and then ask Allah for your needs and He will respond to you.’” (Sunan Nasaai)

The following points are noteworthy:

1. The commonly known form of Salaatut Tasbeeh consists of four Rakaats with the words “Subhanallahi wal hamdulillahi wa laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar” recited 75 times in each Rakaat. This Salaah was taught to Sayyiduna Abbaas Radhiyallahu Anhu by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and holds great virtue particularly in regards to the forgiveness of sins. (Refer to the following: https://jamiat.org.za/an-exceptional-prayersalaatut-tasbeeh/)

2. The above Hadith of Ummu Sulaim Radhiyallahu Anha is in regards to making Dua in Salaah. Ummu Sulaim Radhiyallahu Anha came to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam and requested him to teach her how to make Dua in Salaah. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam thereafter taught her a method of doing so. Hence, the objective of the Hadith is to teach a method of making Dua in Nafl Salaah.

3. The said Hadith does not itself state that it is a substitute for the commonly known form of Salaatut Tasbeeh and neither have we have come across any of the commentators of the Hadith who have considered it as such.

In conclusion, the Hadith of Ummu Sulaim Radhiyallahu Anha refers to making Dua in Salaah and may be considered a form of Salaatul Haajah. It is not a replacement or a shortened form of the Salaatut Tasbeeh that was taught to Sayyiduna Abbaas Radhiyallahu Anhu by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. Care should be taken not to attribute the virtue of one Salaah to the other as this would be a misrepresentation of the words of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam.

N.B. If a person wishes to perform the Salaah described in the Hadith of Ummu Sulaim, then according to the scholars, the correct time for reciting Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah and Allahu Akbar 10 times is after Tashahhud, before making the final Dua of Salaah. (Zakheeratul Uqba)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

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