Was the recitation of tasbih with pebbles reported, and what is its authenticity?
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The questioner : Was the recitation of tasbih with pebbles reported, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh : We can answer this question by saying it was reported and it was not reported, because the word "reported" in common usage can mean it was reported through a sound chain. In that case, if the questioner means it was reported through a sound chain, we say no. But if it was reported through a weak chain, we say yes. However, if it was not reported at all, it has no value. There is a hadith in Sunan al-Tirmidhi that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a woman after the Fajr prayer, and she was reciting tasbih and counting with pebbles. Then he returned to her at mid-morning and found her as he had seen her before, and he said to her:
The questioner : ... Subhan Allah ... .
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Subhan Allah, the number of His words ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, this hadith, with the addition that he saw her counting with pebbles, is in al-Tirmidhi with a weak chain. It came in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Juwayriyah, the Mother of the Believers, without mentioning the pebbles. That is, she sat after Fajr until mid-morning, and he (peace be upon him) directed her to this preferred dhikr, meaning few words and much reward. So the first story was reported, as I said, in Sunan al-Tirmidhi, but the mention of counting with pebbles by that woman was not authenticated. Because if that had been authenticated, it would have been a proof for the permissibility of counting with pebbles, but it would not have become a Sunnah, because the Sunnah is counting with the fingers. But since the Messenger saw it and remained silent, this indicates permissibility. But this is said only if it were authenticated. Since it was not authenticated, we ... .
The Shaykh : We can answer this question by saying it was reported and it was not reported, because the word "reported" in common usage can mean it was reported through a sound chain. In that case, if the questioner means it was reported through a sound chain, we say no. But if it was reported through a weak chain, we say yes. However, if it was not reported at all, it has no value. There is a hadith in Sunan al-Tirmidhi that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by a woman after the Fajr prayer, and she was reciting tasbih and counting with pebbles. Then he returned to her at mid-morning and found her as he had seen her before, and he said to her:
I have said a word ...
لقد قلتُ قولا ...The questioner : ... Subhan Allah ... .
The Shaykh : Yes
The questioner : Subhan Allah, the number of His words ... .
The Shaykh : Yes, this hadith, with the addition that he saw her counting with pebbles, is in al-Tirmidhi with a weak chain. It came in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Juwayriyah, the Mother of the Believers, without mentioning the pebbles. That is, she sat after Fajr until mid-morning, and he (peace be upon him) directed her to this preferred dhikr, meaning few words and much reward. So the first story was reported, as I said, in Sunan al-Tirmidhi, but the mention of counting with pebbles by that woman was not authenticated. Because if that had been authenticated, it would have been a proof for the permissibility of counting with pebbles, but it would not have become a Sunnah, because the Sunnah is counting with the fingers. But since the Messenger saw it and remained silent, this indicates permissibility. But this is said only if it were authenticated. Since it was not authenticated, we ... .