By: M.K.
In the Islamic religion and particularly
among Shias of Ahlul Bayt (a.s), reciting tasbih of Lady Fatima Zehra (a.s) has
been given significant importance by both the infalliable Imams (a.s) as well
as the Shi’ite jurists. This tasbih is in essence, a worship act that is
simple, short yet powerful for the reciter.
Tasbih components:
Allahu Akbar– 34x
Alhamdolilah – 33x
SubhanAllah – 33x
A brief historical overview behind the
virtues of this Tasbih reveals that the name ‘Fatima’ was given to the
daughter of the Holy Prophet (s) by Allah Almighty Himself via an angel who was
ordered to have it spoken by Prophet’s (s) tongue. When Ali (a.s) asked the
Prophet (s), “Why was she named Fatima?” as narrated by Imam Ali Reza (a.s) who
quoted from his Fathers (a.s), “He replied: Because she and her followers
(Shi’ites) are protected from Hell.” In addition, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s) has
provided an explanation for the name, ‘Fatima’ as, “She is safeguarded
from evil” and for ‘Zehra’ as being “the splendid.” Zehra has
also been derived from Zohour, which means brightness.
Let us now shed light on how this Tasbih’s
recitation is beneficial to the believers of Lady Fatima (a.s). It’s abundant
rewards and merits are depicted from an instance when the Prophet (s) aspired
to transfer this worship act to his beloved daughter, Fatima (a.s), he
declared, “O Fatima! I have granted you something that is superior to a
maidservant and to the world and everything in it.”
Regular recitation of the Tasbih protects
the reciter from adversities as well as hardships of both this world and the
hereafter. Imam Sadiq (a.s) says, “You adhere to it and be regular about its
recitation, for surely one who is steadfast upon its recitation will not
encounter adversity.” At every moment of a believer’s life, the Shaytan (devil)
is a constant whisperer of misdeeds and reciting Tasbih-e-Zahra is one of the
methods of driving the Shaytan away. As Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) says,
“Reciting Tasbih-e-Zehra drives away Shaytan and results in the satisfaction of
Allah.”
The tasbih is both a source of forgiveness
as well as for obtaining prayer rewards. On forgiveness, some traditions have
been found from Imam Baqir (a.s) and Sadiq (a.s). Imam Baqir (a.s) says, “One
who recited the Tasbih of Lady Fatima Zehra (a.s) and then seeks forgiveness
will be forgiven.” Exceptional emphasis for reciting this tasbih for the
purposes of seeking forgiveness has however been placed after completion of
wajib (obligatory) salaats. As Imam Sadiq (a.s) states in a tradition
associated with Tasbih recitation post-salaat, “One who recites the Tasbih of
Lady Fatima Zehra (a.s), before even moving his feet, Allah will forgive him”
and “One who recites the Tasbih of Lady Fatima Zehra (a.s) after a wajib salaaat,
before he stretches out his legs (i.e. recites Tasbih while still being in the
Tashahud posture), paradise becomes wajib upon him.” In another tradition, Imam
Sadiq (a.s) says, “One who glorifies Allah after the obligatory prayer through
the Tasbih of Lady Fatima Zehra (a.s) and then follows up by saying, ‘La ilaha
illallaho,’ Allah will forgive his sins.
It is valuable to note that,
recitation of this Tasbih multiplies in reward if recited on a Tasbih, which
has been obtained from Karbala as said by Imam Sadiq (a.s), “One dhikr
(recitation) of istegfaar (repentance) recited on the Tasbih made out of the
soil of the grave of Imam Hussain (a.s) is equal to 70 such dhikr recited on
any other thing. The Imam of Time, al-Mahdi (a.s) has also provided us with a
similar narration, “One who just holds the Tasbih made out of the soil of Imam
Hussain (a.s) and does not do any dhikr, even then for him will be written the
reward of having recited the dhikr.” Quoted from Al-kafi, “Reciting Tasbih of
Hazrat Zehra (a.s) everyday after every salaat is liked by me [Imams of the
Ahlulbayt (a.s)] more than reciting one thousand rakats of (mushtahab) salaat.”
In continuation with the aforementioned theme, Imam Baqir (a.s) yet again says
that, “Allah is not worshipped by anything more meritorious than the Tasbih of
Fatima Zehra (a.s). Had there been any worship superior to it, most surely the
Holy Prophet (s) would have been granted it to Lady Fatima (a.s).” Recitation
of this Tasbih before sleeping is also beneficial to the reciter as narrated
from Imam Sadiq (a.s), “One who recites the Tasbih of Lady Fatima (a.s) at the
time of going to bed, he will be accounted amongst those who remembered Allah a
lot.”
Finally, as with any act of worship, it is
imperative to practice some general etiquettes whilst recitation of
Tasbih-e-Fatima Zehra. One must be fully attentive and continuous in the
Tasbih’s recitation. Continuity without interruptions in the Tasbih had been a
practice of the infalliable Imams (a.s). In accordance with a tradition of Imam
Sadiq (a.s), if there has been a doubt regarding the counts during Tasbih
dhikr, the dhakir (reciter) must re-start his Tasbih performance.
Sources:
http://www.majzooban.org/en/articles/2263-merits-of-tasbih-of-bibi-fateme-zehra-as.html
http://www.duas.org/tasbihzehra.htm
http://shiastudies.net/article/english/Article.php?id=1056
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