10 Virtues, Method, and Important Warnings Regarding Salat al-Tasbih
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ said to his uncle, Sayyiduna ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (RA):
"O uncle ‘Abbas! Shall I not grant you something? Shall I not gift you something? Shall I not give you something precious? Shall I not make you the possessor of ten virtues? When you do this act, Allah, the Majestic, will forgive all your past and future sins, old and new, intentional and unintentional, minor and major, hidden and apparent."
Then the Prophet ﷺ described the method of Salat al-Tasbih.
Salat al-Tasbih consists of four rak‘ahs (nafl). In each rak‘ah:
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰه وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰه وَاللّٰه أَكْبَر
This makes 75 tasbihat per rak‘ah, and the same is repeated in all four rak‘ahs.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
◈ If able, pray it once daily.
◈ If not, once weekly.
◈ If not, once monthly.
◈ If not, once yearly.
◈ If even that is not possible, then at least once in a lifetime.
This hadith is reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Khuzaymah, and al-Ḥākim.
(Abu Dawud, Abwāb al-Taṭawwuʿ, Bab Ṣalāt al-Tasbih: 1297; Ibn Majah, Iqāmat al-Ṣalāh, Bab Mā Jā’a fī Ṣalāt al-Tasbih: 1387)
Position of the Tasbihat:
They are recited before al-Taḥiyyāt in the sitting, just like in other parts of the prayer.
Special Duʿa after Salat al-Tasbih:
The narration about a specific duʿa after Salat al-Tasbih has a very weak chain.
Congregational or Individual Performance:
There is no mention in the hadith about performing Salat al-Tasbih in congregation.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged it as an individual act for his uncle.
Therefore:
It is a serious mistake for a Muslim to neglect obligatory prayers while eagerly gathering for Salat al-Tasbih (especially in congregation).
A person who neglects obligatory prayers should first repent sincerely, then pray Salat al-Tasbih. In shā’ Allāh, it will be beneficial.
Hadith of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (RA)
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ said to his uncle, Sayyiduna ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib (RA):
"O uncle ‘Abbas! Shall I not grant you something? Shall I not gift you something? Shall I not give you something precious? Shall I not make you the possessor of ten virtues? When you do this act, Allah, the Majestic, will forgive all your past and future sins, old and new, intentional and unintentional, minor and major, hidden and apparent."
Then the Prophet ﷺ described the method of Salat al-Tasbih.
Complete Method of Salat al-Tasbih
Salat al-Tasbih consists of four rak‘ahs (nafl). In each rak‘ah:
- After reciting Surah al-Fatiḥah and another surah in qiyām, recite the following tasbih 15 times:
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰه وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰه وَاللّٰه أَكْبَر
- In rukūʿ, after its regular tasbih, recite it 10 times.
- After rising from rukūʿ (Samiʿa Allahu liman ḥamidah), recite it 10 times.
- In the first sujūd, after its tasbih, recite it 10 times.
- In jalsah (between two sujūd), recite it 10 times.
- In the second sujūd, recite it 10 times.
- After rising from the second sujūd into jalsah istirāḥah (without reciting anything else), recite it 10 times.
This makes 75 tasbihat per rak‘ah, and the same is repeated in all four rak‘ahs.
Recommended Frequency
The Prophet ﷺ instructed:
◈ If able, pray it once daily.
◈ If not, once weekly.
◈ If not, once monthly.
◈ If not, once yearly.
◈ If even that is not possible, then at least once in a lifetime.
Authenticity of the Hadith
This hadith is reported by Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Ibn Khuzaymah, and al-Ḥākim.
(Abu Dawud, Abwāb al-Taṭawwuʿ, Bab Ṣalāt al-Tasbih: 1297; Ibn Majah, Iqāmat al-Ṣalāh, Bab Mā Jā’a fī Ṣalāt al-Tasbih: 1387)
- Ibn Khuzaymah and al-Ḥākim graded it ṣaḥīḥ.
- Ibn Ḥajar: The hadith is ḥasan due to its many chains.
- Al-Albani: Supported the authentication of al-Ḥākim and al-Dhahabi, noting its multiple chains.
- Mubarakpuri and Ahmad Shakir: Graded it ḥasan.
- Khatib al-Baghdadi, al-Nawawi, Ibn al-Ṣalah: Declared it ṣaḥīḥ.
Additional Notes Regarding Salat al-Tasbih
Position of the Tasbihat:
They are recited before al-Taḥiyyāt in the sitting, just like in other parts of the prayer.
Special Duʿa after Salat al-Tasbih:
The narration about a specific duʿa after Salat al-Tasbih has a very weak chain.
- Narrator ‘Abd al-Quddus ibn Ḥabīb:
- Declared matrūk by al-Haythami.
- Declared kadhdhāb by ‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak.
Congregational or Individual Performance:
There is no mention in the hadith about performing Salat al-Tasbih in congregation.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged it as an individual act for his uncle.
Therefore:
- Learn the correct method first.
- Perform it in private.
Important Warning
It is a serious mistake for a Muslim to neglect obligatory prayers while eagerly gathering for Salat al-Tasbih (especially in congregation).
A person who neglects obligatory prayers should first repent sincerely, then pray Salat al-Tasbih. In shā’ Allāh, it will be beneficial.
