Author: Ali Razi Date: 2015-11-01

The Shia use a Mohr[1] for prayer. What is his opinion? Is Sajdah i.e. prostration on the soil of Imam Hussein’s peace be upon him tomb and the soil of Karbala recommended?

Answer to question: 1 Date: 2015-11-03

Sajdah i.e. prostration on soil and gravel is Sunnah and Sajdah on cooked clay that the Shia make and call it “Mohr” has no problem, but writing holy names on it is not good because it is placed on the ground and under the feet, so it is better to clear it, and Sajdah on soil and gravel of places like Masjid al-Haram and Masjid an-Nabawi and Mashhad al-Hussein, considering their blessedness, is good, and Sajdah on wool and yarn and feather and cotton and hair and skin and silk is not good; because the Messenger of God peace be upon him and his family did not perform Sajdah on them and Sajdah on them became common after him, and Sajdah on wood and straw and leaves and grass has no problem, and the best place for Sajdah is the soil and gravel which exist in the place of prayer; because it is closer to the Sunnah of the Messenger of God peace be upon him and his family.

↑[1] . [Translator note: Mohr (Arabic: تربة Turbah) is a small piece of soil or clay, often a clay tablet, used during Islamic daily prayers to symbolize earth for prostration.]