❖ Ruling on the Number of Tasbīḥāt in Rukūʿ and Sujūd ❖
Question:
Is it permissible to recite the tasbīḥ in rukūʿ and sujūd less than three times, or is it necessary to say it three or more times? Please clarify.
Answer by:
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbdul Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhīlat al-Bāḥith Kāmrān Ilāhī Ẓahīr ḥafiẓahullāh
✔ There is no authentic narration specifying an exact, fixed number of tasbīḥāt to be recited in rukūʿ and sujūd.
✔ Some narrations mention three times, while others mention up to ten times—however, most of these are not free from weakness.
✔ If a person recites tasbīḥ even once, the prayer is considered valid.
✔ Nevertheless, it is encouraged (mustaḥabb) to say it three, five, seven, or more times—preferably in odd numbers.
✔ In Sunan Abī Dāwūd, a narration affirms reciting the tasbīḥ three times.
✔ Saʿīd ibn Jubayr رحمه الله relates that Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه said:
“After the Prophet ﷺ, we saw no one pray more closely resembling his prayer than ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz رحمه الله, and when we counted his tasbīḥāt in rukūʿ and sujūd, they were ten times each.”
❖ Minimum Requirement:
One tasbīḥ in rukūʿ or sujūd is sufficient for the validity of prayer.
❖ Recommended Practice:
Reciting tasbīḥ three, five, seven, or more times is recommended and preferable.
❖ Sunnah Practice:
According to Abu Dāwūd's narration, saying it three times is sunnah.
Some āthār (narrations of companions and successors) also indicate reciting it ten times.
Question:
Is it permissible to recite the tasbīḥ in rukūʿ and sujūd less than three times, or is it necessary to say it three or more times? Please clarify.
Answer by:
Fadhīlat al-Shaykh ʿAbdul Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
Fadhīlat al-Bāḥith Kāmrān Ilāhī Ẓahīr ḥafiẓahullāh
❀ Explanation by Shaykh ʿAbdul Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh:
✔ There is no authentic narration specifying an exact, fixed number of tasbīḥāt to be recited in rukūʿ and sujūd.
✔ Some narrations mention three times, while others mention up to ten times—however, most of these are not free from weakness.
✔ If a person recites tasbīḥ even once, the prayer is considered valid.
✔ Nevertheless, it is encouraged (mustaḥabb) to say it three, five, seven, or more times—preferably in odd numbers.
❀ Explanation by Shaykh Kāmrān Ilāhī Ẓahīr ḥafiẓahullāh:
✔ In Sunan Abī Dāwūd, a narration affirms reciting the tasbīḥ three times.
✔ Saʿīd ibn Jubayr رحمه الله relates that Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه said:
“After the Prophet ﷺ, we saw no one pray more closely resembling his prayer than ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz رحمه الله, and when we counted his tasbīḥāt in rukūʿ and sujūd, they were ten times each.”
✔ Conclusion:
❖ Minimum Requirement:
One tasbīḥ in rukūʿ or sujūd is sufficient for the validity of prayer.❖ Recommended Practice:
Reciting tasbīḥ three, five, seven, or more times is recommended and preferable.❖ Sunnah Practice:
According to Abu Dāwūd's narration, saying it three times is sunnah. Some āthār (narrations of companions and successors) also indicate reciting it ten times.