ASK A SCHOLAR JUNE 2026
- Is Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ Authentic?
Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ is a four-rakʿah voluntary prayer in which the worshipper repeatedly recites the phrase:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
(Subḥān Allāh, wal-ḥamdu lillāh, wa lā ilāha illā Allāh, wa Allāhu akbar)
According to the narration describing this prayer, the formula is repeated seventy-five times in each rakʿah, following a particular sequence during the prayer.
Although the prayer is occasionally promoted in some devotional circles, many scholars of hadith have questioned its authenticity. Their concerns focus on the weakness of the narrations describing it and the absence of evidence that it was known and practiced by the earliest generations of Muslims.
Weakness in the Narrations
The main report about Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ is attributed to ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās, who narrates it from his father al-ʿAbbās ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, the uncle of the Prophet ﷺ. Versions of this report appear in collections such as Sunan Abī Dāwūd and Musnad Aḥmad.
However, scholars who carefully examined these narrations found serious problems, including:
- Breaks or gaps in the chains of transmission
- Narrators whose reliability was disputed or unknown
- Transmitters known for weak memory or frequent mistakes, such as Ibn Lahīʿah
Because of these issues, leading hadith critics did not consider the reports reliable.
The renowned hadith authority Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal reportedly said:
“Nothing authentic has been established regarding Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ.”
Similar reservations were expressed by major hadith critics such as Abū Zurʿah al-Rāzī and Abū Ḥātim al-Rāzī.
Irregularities in the Text
Scholars also pointed out unusual features in the text (matn) of the narration.
The report promises sweeping rewards, such as the forgiveness of all sins—even if they are vast and numerous. Such extraordinary promises are uncommon when compared with the rewards mentioned for well-established voluntary prayers like Ṣalāt al-Ḍuḥā, Tahajjud, and the regular Sunnah prayers (rawātib).
In addition, the structure of the prayer described in the narration is unfamiliar. The repeated recitation of tasbīḥ at several stages within each rakʿah does not resemble the well-documented description of the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer preserved in the most authentic hadith collections.
Another important observation is historical: there are no reliable reports showing that the Companions or early generations regularly practiced this prayer, despite the claim that it carries immense spiritual reward.
The Position of the Classical Imams
A significant point noted by scholars is that none of the four great Imams of Sunni jurisprudence prescribed or recommended this prayer:
- Imam Abū Ḥanīfah
- Imam Mālik
- Imam al-Shāfiʿī
- Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal
In fact, Imam Aḥmad openly questioned the authenticity of the reports describing it.
Imam Mālik’s silence on this matter is particularly noteworthy. He lived in Madinah and was famous for relying on the continuous practice of the people of Madinah (ʿamal ahl al-Madīnah) as a powerful indicator of authentic Sunnah. In his careful transmission of the living tradition of the Prophet ﷺ preserved in Madinah, he recorded the established prayers and practices known among the scholars of the city.
Yet Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ is not mentioned in his Muwaṭṭaʾ, nor is it reported as part of the established devotional practice of the people of Madinah. Given Imam Mālik’s scrupulous care in transmitting only practices that were reliably known and continuously observed, many scholars see this absence as further evidence that the prayer was not widely recognized among the early generations.
The Preponderant Scholarly View
Because the narrations describing Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ are weak and disputed, many hadith specialists conclude that the prayer is not firmly established as part of the Sunnah.
For this reason, scholars often encourage Muslims to devote themselves to well-authenticated voluntary prayers, such as:
- The regular Sunnah prayers (rawātib)
- Witr
- Tahajjud
- Ṣalāt al-Ḍuḥā
These acts of worship are clearly established in authentic hadith and were consistently practiced by the Prophet
✅ In summary:
While some later scholars permitted Ṣalāt al-Tasbīḥ based on weak supporting narrations, many hadith authorities regarded those reports as unreliable. Moreover, none of the four great Imams prescribed this prayer, and Imam Mālik—who carefully preserved the continuous practice of Madinah—never recorded it among the recognized devotional practices. For this reason, many scholars advise focusing on voluntary prayers whose authenticity is firmly established in the Sunnah
- Must I Keep Giving Zakat If Someone Keeps Asking?
No, it is not obligatory for you to continue giving her money, and you may politely disengage if the constant messages are causing you distress.
You already fulfilled your duty by helping her with one month’s rent from your zakat after hearing her situation. Zakat is given based on a reasonable belief that a person is in need, and once you have helped sincerely, you are not required to keep giving, especially if doubts arise or your zakat funds are exhausted.
You may send a brief message such as:
“Assalamu alaikum. I helped with one month’s rent from my zakat as I believed your situation required it. I no longer have zakat funds available. May Allah ease your hardship.”
After that, it is permissible to stop responding or block further messages if necessary.
You acted with good intention, and Allah does not burden anyone beyond their capacity. (Qur’an 2:286)