Salatul Tasbih isn’t just another prayer you scroll past on your Instagram feed during Ramadan. It’s one of those deeply spiritual, slightly lesser-known gems that really slows you down—in the best way possible.
I first stumbled upon it during a late-night Ramadan Qiyam at the masjid, years ago. You know the kind—soft carpets, the sound of sniffles between heartfelt duas, and someone’s kid snoring gently in the back. I remember an old uncle mentioning “Tasbih wali namaz aaj padho, dil halka ho jayega.” So I gave it a shot. Clumsy? Definitely. Meaningful? Oh yeah. It’s been a part of my spiritual toolkit ever since.
With Ramadan 2025 in full swing and so many of us leaning into faith and mindfulness, I figured this was the perfect time to break down Salatul Tasbih in a simple, coffee-table-conversation kind of way.
What is Salatul Tasbih, Anyway?
Let’s not overcomplicate it. Salatul Tasbih is a special nafl (voluntary) prayer made up of 300 repetitions of a short phrase known as a tasbih (glorification of Allah). It’s usually prayed in four rakats (units of prayer), and the tasbih is repeated at specific points throughout.
The tasbih you’ll repeat is: “Subhan Allahi wal hamdu lillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar”
(Translation: Glory be to Allah, all praise is for Allah, there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest)
I know—it sounds like a lot. But once you get into the rhythm, it becomes like a beautiful, meditative breath.
How Do You Pray Salatul Tasbih Step by Step?
Here’s the step-by-step, but don’t worry—I’ll keep it light and human.
1. Intention (Niyyah)
Start by setting your intention to pray Salatul Tasbih – four rakats nafl for the sake of Allah. It’s just between you and Him, so whisper it in your heart.
2. Begin the First Rakat
- Say Allahu Akbar to begin.
- Right after Subhanaka Allahumma…, recite the tasbih 15 times.
- Then recite Surah Al-Fatiha, followed by another Surah (I often choose something short—let’s not be heroes on a weeknight).
- After the Surah, say the tasbih 10 more times.
- Go into ruku (bowing), say the usual phrases, then say the tasbih 10 more times.
- Stand up (qawmah), say tasbih 10 times.
- Go into sujud (prostration), say tasbih 10 times.
- Sit (jalsa), say tasbih 10 times.
- Second sujud—yup, another 10 tasbihs.
Total = 75 tasbihs in one rakat.
Repeat this flow for all four rakats, and you’re golden.
Quick tip: Keep a digital tasbih counter handy if you’re like me and lose count somewhere between ruku and wondering what’s for suhoor.
How Many Rakats Are in Salatul Tasbih?
You pray it in four rakats. You can pray all four together, or split them into two sets of two (2 + 2), like how we usually pray sunnah or nafl prayers. Personally, I find breaking it up helps me stay focused, especially during long Ramadan nights.
Is Salatul Tasbih a Sunnah or Nafl?
It’s considered a nafl prayer, not an obligatory one, but its reward? Massive. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged his uncle, Abbas (RA), to pray it, saying it wipes away all sins, both small and big.
That’s not something you want to scroll past, right?
It’s not something we’re required to do, but it’s a beautiful way to show up for your soul. Think of it as soul-cleansing on a Thursday night, after a week full of chaos, deadlines, and digital noise.
Why It Feels So Special (And a Little Bit Personal)
Salatul Tasbih isn’t something I do every day. But on those nights when my mind feels cluttered—when the weight of life feels heavier than usual—I turn to it. Especially during Ramadan, when the house is quiet after iftar, and the sky outside is that deep, velvety blue.
I light a small incense stick, turn off the harsh lights, and just let myself be. The rhythm of the tasbih, the gentle flow of words, the bows and sujoods—it slows time down. It’s like pressing pause on the world and saying, “Hey, I’m here. I’m listening.”
And you know what? You don’t have to get it perfect. I’ve lost count mid-prayer. I’ve mixed up the tasbihs. I’ve even forgotten whether I was in rakat three or four. But that’s okay. The sincerity is what counts, not perfection.
Final Thoughts: Try It This Ramadan
Ramadan 2025 has brought with it a wave of digital detoxing, mindfulness, and rediscovery of spiritual roots. I’ve seen more people asking about deep prayers, meaningful acts of worship—and Salatul Tasbih is one of them.
So give it a shot. Try praying it once this Ramadan, even if it’s just on a quiet weekend night. Light a candle. Put your phone on airplane mode. Let your heart catch its breath.
And if you do pray it, drop a comment below and tell me how it felt. What time did you pray it? Did you use a tasbih counter? Did it bring you a sense of peace?
We’re all just trying to get closer, one prayer at a time.
Peace, light, and all the warm vibes your way.
Until next time,
Your fellow seeker of stories, myth, and meaning.