Ameerul Momineen Hazrat Ali bin Abi Taalib (a.s.) informed, ‘Fatima (s.a.) was the most exalted and respected lady of the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) family. She fetched water bags so often that it resulted in calluses on her chest. Moreover, she swept her house many times a day, and operated the flour grinding stone mill for long hours thereby developing calluses on her palms. Moreover, she used to lit a big fire for igniting the oven, staining her clothes in the process.’

In a nutshell, attending to the strenuous household chores was a very difficult task for her.

Observing her struggling so hard with the chores, I (Hazrat Ali (a.s.)) brought her plight to the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) notice and requested him to provide a maid to ease her burden.

One day she went to the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) house and saw that he was engaged in talking to some people. She returned to her house. But the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was aware of why she wanted to meet him. He (s.a.w.a.) went to her house and asked, ‘O my beloved daughter, what is the matter?’

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) related to him the hardships Fatima Zahra (s.a.) had to face. Hearing this, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said, ‘Should I suggest you something that would be beneficial to you?’ So saying he advised – ‘After every prayer, you should recite Allaho Akbar 34 times, Subhan Allah 33 times and Alhamdu Lillah 33 times. It will be better for you than having a helper, and also from all other things of the world.’

(Elal al-Sharaae p 366, Behaar al-Anwaar v 43, p 82)

In traditions, much emphasis has been laid on this Tasbih; apart from prayers, it was enjoined to recite this before going to bed.

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) informed that the Tasbih is useful to children as well as the youth.

In another tradition it is reported prayers are not worthy of acceptance without reciting this Tasbih.

In another tradition Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) informs that to recite this Tasbih is much better than performing one thousand units of recommended prayers.