A turbah (Arabic تربة) is a small piece of soil or clay used by practitioners of Shi'a Islam during the daily prayers (Salat). While use of turab "soil" is not compulsory, using a turba of some sort is highly recommended and many Hadith narrate the benefits of prostration (Sajda) upon the soil of the earth or at least an alternative material. The most favoured soil for a turba is the soil of Karbala, the site of the martyrdom of Imam Husayn; 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.

Some manufacturers produce turbas cast with the names of Allah or reminders for Muslims during their prayers. Turbas of various forms are easily available in Shi'i societies. They are also referred to by their Persian name, mohr (مهر lit. 'seal'). The Arabic form turbat (تربت) has been borrowed into Persian with the meaning "dust, soil" or "tomb, grave [especially of the Imams]". In some groups it is referred to as حجر hajar "stone, brick". (The same word appears in the name for the Black Stone.)

"Turba" is also often used as a word to refer to cemeteries in the Arab world as well as to its more literal meaning, "soil".

[edit] External links

• The Turbah
• Turbah

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