QUESTION: First of all, I'd like to say I'm a SUNNI Muslim.

 I don't understand why Shi'a have to pray on the turba from Karbala? I read the article on www.al-islam.org, and it made me further disagree with the Shi'a thought. 

1. It says it is used because of it's cleaniless. However, if Muslims, as myself, pray on a prayer mat (which is used for nothing but prayer), why would a rock be necessary? A prayer mat is very clean.

 2. It says how some lands are important than others. The only lands important to me are Mecca and Medina. How can Shi'a say Karbala as an important land? It is not mentioned in the Qur'an (as far as I know). 

Also...the issues of the Imams. I seriously doubt anyone after Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had ANY contact with Allah. To me the 12 imams are righteous Muslims...nothing more than that. Only Allah's Prophets are important. And a 12th Imam hiding in a cave in Samarra? Please...I don't understand Shi'a. Correct me, if I have been mistaken.

ANSWER:

To pray on Turbah is Sunna of our Prophet (saw). If you refer to Sunan of al Tirmidhi, you will see a Hadith reported from Ummu Salamah: "O Aflah, put your face on Turbah (i.e. while in Sajda)". This has been reported by al Nasai, Abu Dawood and Hakim also. 

Ahmed Hambal has added:"Put your face on Turbah, for the sake of Allah". 

In Sahih al Bukhari (vol I, p104) it is reported from Abu Saeed who said:"I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, do Sajdah on mud and I saw the mark of dust on his forehead". 

So, the Shia pray on Turbah, primarily because it is the practice of our Prophet and his Companions. 

Al Tabrani has reported that Abdullah ibn Masood refused to pray or prostrate on anything but the earth, 

Secondly, because that is the sign of humility before Almighty Allah. According to Shia Fiqh, Sajdah should be performed on earth and on those things which are not edible or worn and on things which grow from the earth (e.g. wood and leaves of trees). It is not permissible to perform Sajdah on things which are used as food or dress (e.g. Wheat, barley, cotton etc) nor on things which are not considered to be parts of soil e.g. gold, silver).

 >From the above, you will find that the objective is to use Turbah - earth, dust etc regardless of where it comes from. The preference to Kerbala over other soil is a matter of sentiment, which is essentially attached to the holy places, including Makka and Madina. 

As far as Imams are concerned, they do not receive revelations (Wahy) like the prophets. According to the Holy Qur'an and the authentic Ahadith, Imama is a heavenly assignment, given by Allah through His Apostle. The 12th Imam is not hidden anywhere. He is in concealment by the order of Allah and will reappear to establish the rule of justice and equality. This has been reported by several Sunni Ulama of repute. 

A dispassionate study of Imama will help you realise that there could not have been anyone else but the inmates of the Prophet's household who were best suited for leadership of the Ummah after the Prophet. 

With Salaams Asgharali M M Jaffer