What is the method of counting the tasbih after the obligatory prayer?
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The questioner : What is meant by the statement of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) when he saw the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) counting them with his hands? He is referring here to the tasbih, and this is in the hadith regarding the dhikr that is recited after every prayer, as is known to you. So what is the method of counting, considering that women cannot see clearly, and they hope that this is taken into account in detailing the method?
The Shaykh : First, attributing the hadith to Abu Hurayrah in the question is incorrect.
Second: As far as I know, the counting does not have a specific method, because the narrator was content with reporting that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to count the tasbih with his right hand. So the matter is easy, if Allah wills. Every person who prays, whether male or female, should count in the manner and way that he finds easiest for himself. For example, I count three knuckles on each finger and consider that as three. It is possible for a person to count one on one finger, two on the second, and so on. So one should do what is easy for the one making dhikr in counting, because we do not have a Sunnah regarding a specific method for this counting.
The questioner : The word "counting" (ya'qid), O Shaykh, does it seem like a metaphor comparing the finger to a knot, like the knot of a rope?
The Shaykh : It is present in any case.
The questioner : In every prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.
The Shaykh : First, attributing the hadith to Abu Hurayrah in the question is incorrect.
Second: As far as I know, the counting does not have a specific method, because the narrator was content with reporting that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to count the tasbih with his right hand. So the matter is easy, if Allah wills. Every person who prays, whether male or female, should count in the manner and way that he finds easiest for himself. For example, I count three knuckles on each finger and consider that as three. It is possible for a person to count one on one finger, two on the second, and so on. So one should do what is easy for the one making dhikr in counting, because we do not have a Sunnah regarding a specific method for this counting.
The questioner : The word "counting" (ya'qid), O Shaykh, does it seem like a metaphor comparing the finger to a knot, like the knot of a rope?
The Shaykh : It is present in any case.
The questioner : In every prayer?
The Shaykh : Yes, that is correct.