The Messenger of Allah said, “Count on your fingers, for they will be asked, and will be made to speak” (Tirmidhī).

Although one may use other means such as prayer beads or a tasbīḥ counter, it is Sunnah to use the hand.


Abū Hurayrah (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) used to glorify Allah 12,000 times every day and he used to say, “I do tasbīḥ in the same quantity of my blood money (12,000 silver coins)” i.e. he would hope to free himself from the Hell fire through this amount of tasbīḥ.

It was said to ʿUmayr b. Hāni’ (raḥimahullāh), “We don’t see your tongue taking a break. How many times do you glorify Allah every day?” He replied, 100,000 times, except where my fingers may have erred (in the counting).”

Khālid b. Maʿdān (raḥimahullāh) used to glorify Allah every day 40,000 times. This was in addition to his recitation of the Qur’ān. After he passed away and was laid down to be bathed, his finger began move in tasbīḥ.

How Much Qur'an Should One Recite?