8/24. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1501 — Dhikr on Fingers in Islam
At-Tasbih (Glorifying Allah) Using Pebbles
Hadith About Dhikr on Fingers: A Simple Sunnah of Remembrance
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1501
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1501
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ دَاوُدَ، عَنْ هَانِئِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ حُمَيْضَةَ بِنْتِ يَاسِرٍ، عَنْ يُسَيْرَةَ، أَخْبَرَتْهَا أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَمَرَهُنَّ أَنْ يُرَاعِينَ بِالتَّكْبِيرِ وَالتَّقْدِيسِ وَالتَّهْلِيلِ وَأَنْ يَعْقِدْنَ بِالأَنَامِلِ فَإِنَّهُنَّ مَسْئُولاَتٌ مُسْتَنْطَقَاتٌ .
Yusayrah, mother of Yasir Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) commanded them (the women emigrants) to be regular (in remembering Allah by saying): "Allah is most great"; "Glory be to the King, the Holy"; "there is no god but Allah"; and that they should count them on fingers, for they (the fingers) will be questioned and asked to speak.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1501In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 86English translation : Book 8, Hadith 1496
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1501
This hadith teaches a clear and simple way to remember Allah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told the women emigrants to be regular in saying words of dhikr: Allah is Most Great, Glory be to the King, the Holy, and there is no god but Allah. He also told them to count this remembrance on their fingers. The reason given in the hadith is powerful: the fingers will be questioned and asked to speak. So, this hadith about dhikr on fingers shows that remembrance is not only something said by the tongue. The body also takes part in worship. It points us to steady, mindful remembrance of Allah through simple words that can be repeated often.
What we learn from this hadith
- Be regular in remembering Allah with takbir, tahlil, and words of glorification.
- Counting dhikr on fingers is directly mentioned in this hadith.
- Our body parts are connected to our deeds and may be questioned.
- Simple words of remembrance can be part of daily worship.
