Riyad as-Salihin, 1442

Sa'd bin Abu Waqqas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and I went to see a woman. She had date- stones or pebbles in front of her, and she was counting and reciting Tasbih. ['Subhan-Allah' (Allah is free from imperfection)]. He said, "Shall I not inform you of what is easier or better than this for you?" You should say: 'Subhan-Allahi 'adada ma khalaqa fis-sama', wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma khalaqa fil-ardi, wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma baina dhalika, wa subhan-Allahi 'adada ma Huwa Khaliqun, wallahu Akbaru mithla dhalika, wal-hamdu lillahi mithla dhalika, wa la ilaha illallahu mithla dhalika, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi mithla dhalika (Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of what He created in the heaven; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number of His creatures in the earth; and Subhan-Allah, equal to the number in between them; and Subhan-Allah equal to the number of those He will create).' Then say: 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is Greatest) in the same way. Then say: 'Al-hamdu lillah' (praise be to Allah) in the same way. Then say: 'La ilaha illallah' (there is no true god except Allah) in the same way. Then say: 'La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' (there is no change of a condition nor power except by Allah) in the same manner." [At-Tirmidhi].

وعن سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه أنه دخل مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم على امرأة وبين يديها نوى -أو حصى- تسبح به فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏أخبرك بما هو أيسر عليك من هذا - أو أفضل‏"‏ فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏سبحان الله عدد ما خلق في السماء، وسبحان الله عدد ما خلق في الأرض، وسبحان الله عدد ما بين ذلك، وسبحان الله عدد ما هو خالق، والله أكبر مثل ذلك، والحمد لله مثل ذلك، ولا إله إلا الله مثل ذلك، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله مثل ذلك‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال‏:‏ حديث حسن‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 15, Hadith 35

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) Abiding by formulas of Dhikr that conform to the prophetic guidance is easier to recite and greater in terms of earning rewards. 2) Every good thing that one earns is contingent on complying with the authentic Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Note: The content of the Hadith was previously introduced in the story of the Mother of the Believers, Juwayriyyah, no. (1433), without mentioning the use of pebbles in reciting Tasbih, and this is the correct version. In fact, the version that mentions using pebbles has a weak chain of narration, which makes it unacceptable in terms of establishing a Shariah ruling. Furthermore, using pebbles in reciting Dhikr, or what is known nowadays as Misbahah or Dhikr counter is not part of the recommended guidance because it was not communicated by the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) to his Ummah. So, whoever is keen to follow the Sunnah, in pursuit of complying with the way of our role model (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) has to use the fingers of his right hand in counting Dhikr, for they are going to testify on his behalf about that, as authentically reported in the prophetic Sunnah.

Related hadiths1

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