Why do Shia Muslims pray on a clay tablet?

This stone which has many name i.e. Turbah, Sajda, Muhr... Is something that you see Shia perform Sujud on.

Why do they do that? Is it obligatory? Is it based in the Sunnah of the Messenger (SAWAS) and His Purified Family (AS)?

Let's see why Shia decide to pray on earth👇

 

What is the ruling about prostration (sujud) and its evidences from Shia Sources?📚

So the ruling about prostration is: Prostration is only allowed on earth or what grows from it except what is eaten or worn.

And where do we get this from? Very simple, here is two ahadith from the Ahlulbayt (as).
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Hadith 1- Hisham bin Al-Hakam said to Abu Abdullah, peace be upon him: “Tell me about what is permissible to prostrate on and what is not permissible?” He said: “Prostration is not permissible except on the ground or on what the ground grows, except what is eaten or worn."...

Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih, Sheikh al-Saduq, Volume 1, Page 192, hadith 843
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Hadith 2- From Abu Abdullah (as) that he said: "Prostration is upon what grows from the earth except what is eaten or worn."

Wasa'il al-Shia Vol. 5, Section 5, Chapter 1, Hadith 6741

Now that we showed its clear and obvious source from the Sunnah of the Ahlulbayt (as), how is it practiced?🤔

Like the ahadith state, what is obligatory is to prostrate on earth OR  that which grows from it except that which is eaten or worn.

Meaning that the piece of clay you see is simply the most popular and easiest way to do it, but not the only way. Also, obviously it doesn't have to be earth from Karbala (like some rumors have been spread) though is does have more barakah if it comes from the blessed land of Karbala.

For instance, you may pray on a piece of wood, leaves (non-edible), paper, marble...

Have the Prophet (SAWAS) and His Family (as) ever been seen praying on natural earth, stones or even leaves from non-Shia sources? 🧐

Of course! Though non-Shia schools of thought don't consider it obligatory, this type of practice is also present in their tradition.

Here are a few narrations from non-Shia literature showcasing this.

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Hadith 1- Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) prostrating in mud and water and saw the mark of mud on his forehead.

Sahih al-Bukhari 836
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Hadith 2- Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: A cloud came and it rained till the roof started leaking and in those days the roof used to be of the branches of date-palms. Iqama was pronounced and I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)s prostrating in water and mud and even I saw the mark of mud on his forehead.

Sahih al-Bukhari 669
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Hadith 3- It was narrated that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said: "We used to pray Zuhr with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I would take a handful of pebbles in my hand to cool them down, then I would pass them from one hand to the other, and when I prostrated I would put them down to lay my forehead on them."

Sunan an-Nasa'i 1081
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Hadith 4- Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have been given five things which were not given to any amongst the Prophets before me. These are: -1. Allah made me victorious by awe (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. -2. The earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum. Therefore my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due...

Sahih al-Bukhari 438

Hadith 5- "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The earth has been made for me a place of prostration and a means of purification, so wherever a man of my Ummah is when the time for prayer comes, let him pray.''

Sunan an-Nasa'i 736

NOTE: These 2 previous narrations states that the EARTH  has been made as a place of Prostration and Tayammum (Purification).  Since we know that Tayammum has to be done on natural earth, and the same word EARTH  here is shared between both practices, it must have a definition which suits both. Earth in this instance has to mean natural soil and not simply the floor. Or else it would mean that tayammum could only be done on the floor and on any surface.
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Hadith 6- Narrated Maimuna: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to pray on Khumra.

Sahih al-Bukhari 381

NOTE: A khumrah is defined as a small mat made of PALM LEAVES

As you can see, this is a practice which is rooted in the Sunnah of the Messenger (SAWAS) and his Family (AS) from both Shia and non-Shia literature. 

We can appreciate our differences in Jurisprudence in both schools of thought. Where the Shias consider it obligatory and others don't. Without having to harm each other or use foul language.🌹

Our goal was simply to show our perspective and to demonstrate that we are not inventing new things. We simply have differences of opinion on certain matters just like different schools of thoughts or scholars have.

Let our differences be a doorway to understanding, not division.💚