page_title: Turbah
section_title: Significance of Karbala
hierarchical_section_title: Turbah / Significance of Karbala
caption_attribution_description: Turbah
context_page_description: A turbah, or mohr, or khaak e shifa and sajida gah, is a small piece of soil or clay, often a clay tablet, used during salat to symbolize earth. The use of a turbah is compulsory in the Twelver Shia school of Islam, a unique practice of the sect, and many Hadiths mention the benefits of prostration upon soil or an alternative natural material. The most favoured soil is that of Karbala, the site of the death of Husayn ibn Ali; however, soil from anywhere may be used. In the absence of soil, plants or items made from plants may be substituted. This provision has been extended to include the use of paper.
  Following the instruction from the Quran, Shia Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq stated that "prostration must be performed on pure earth or what grows on it, provided that it is not eaten or worn." For example, prostration on paper is permissible because it is made of natural elements grown on earth.
context_section_description: Karbala is especially important to Shi’ah Muslims because the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali is considered one of the major dividing lines between Muslims of the time. Husayn is important because of his relationship with Muhammad, and so therefore the dust from Karbala is considered to be one of the most sacred places to pray.
  Since there are Muslims located all over the world, Shi’ah Muslims have created small clay tablets called mohr or Turbah from the ground of Karbala. However, since it is an issue of honor and respect, Muslims are allowed to prostrate on other earthen materials.
caption: Turbah Karbala, made from (around) the soil of Husayn ibn Ali's grave/tomb
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