✦ Counting in Dhikr: Using a Tasbīḥ or Fingers? ✦
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil fī Ḍawʾ al-Qurʾān wa al-Ḥadīth, Volume 01, Page 492
❖ The Question
Dhikr and the use of a tasbīḥ (prayer beads) are considered permissible. However, if someone intends to recite a specific word of remembrance, such as 100 times, but forgets while counting on the fingers, what is the ruling in such a case?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
It is recorded in Sunan Abī Dāwūd that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Count on your finger joints.”
Therefore, one should learn the Arab method of counting on the four fingers, as this way one will not forget, in shāʾ Allāh.
✿ ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب ✿
