Last updated on May 30th, 2025 at 05:56 pm
The religion Islam is not only about practices and ceremonies. It is a complete way of life. Islam provides guidance to individuals about every aspect of their lives. A very important part of Islam is our dependence on Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for everything in our life, like seeking assistance, strength, and guidance, since He is the creator of the entire universe and controls everything in this world and the Hereafter.
A believer’s goal in this life should be worshiping Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and submitting themselves to Him. They must obey His commands and cherish Him. The easiest way to achieve this goal with consistency is through constant remembrance and regular dhikr of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Besides continuous remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), dhikr has many significant advantages. This includes promoting spiritual wellness, calmness, and the gentle opening of the heart. Through dhikr, Muslims gain immense rewards from the simple action of moving their lips and reciting some words. The faithful believer who loves Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and His Messenger (ﷺ) and is sure of the truth of His faith, naturally remembers Allah continually.
With the help of MuslimandQuran’s online Tasbeeh counter, you don’t have to worry about keeping track of your daily dhikr and tasbeehat if you’re at work on your laptop or computer. The online Tasbeeh counter is interactive and easy to use, and is designed to help you meet your daily tasbih requirements and keep track of your goals, especially while working.
Let’s discuss the meaning of dhikr, its importance in the lives of Muslims, and how it can help us achieve a better relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
What is Dhikr?
The literal meaning of dhikr is remembrance, reminder, or mention. It is a form of Islamic practice during which different Arabic expressions or prayers are recited repeatedly to remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Dhikr has special importance in Sufism, where it refers not only to the practice of this remembrance but also to the prayers recited.
The prayers or expressions recited during dhikr are commonly the names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) or prayers from the Holy Quran or Hadith. The number of recitations is calculated using either fingers or prayer beads and can be done individually or with a group. A person who performs dhikr is called dhakir.
Additionally, the Quran refers to itself and prophetic messages as ‘reminders’ (dhikrah, tadhkirah). In this context, the term dhikr refers to the reminder from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that was delivered by the prophets and messengers to humans and their reaction to it. This means that dhikr is also a form of mutual engagement between the divine and humanity.
The Importance of Dhikr and Tasbeeh
The command for Tasbeeh is mentioned more often in the Quran as compared to other forms of remembering Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). Tasbeeh is mentioned 16 times in the Quran, Istighfar (repentance to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is mentioned eight times, dhikr (remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is mentioned five times, and takbir (reciting اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ) is mentioned two times.
While performing tasbeehat, believers continuously remember Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and submit to His perfection, greatness, and flawless nature. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has commanded it in many verses and has warned against being negligent and not remembering Him. He links success in this world and the Hereafter to frequently calling upon Him and also says that such are people of wisdom. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) informs us that remembering Him is superior to all other forms of worship, and He has characterized dhikr as the companion of good deeds.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in Surah Baqarah (2:152):
فَاذْكُرُوْنِيْۗ اَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوْا لِيْ وَلَا تَكْفُرُوْنِ۱۵۲ۧ
“So, therefore, remember Me, and I shall remember you; and give thanks and do not be ungrateful.”
The most frequent practice of dhikr is the recitation of the Names of Allah (Asma’ul Husna). This practice is fundamental to Sufi spiritual routines and aims to nurture a more profound relationship with the Divine.
The Names of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) highlight His different qualities. For example, Ar-Rahman means the Most Merciful, and Al-Karim means The Generous. By reciting His names regularly, individuals aim to include these traits in their personality, develop a sense of spiritual purity, and form a more intimate relationship with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Other common phrases commonly recited using dhikr and tasbeeh are:
- بِسْمِ الله – In the name of Allah
- سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰه – Allah is free from imperfection
- ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ – Allah praise is due to Allah
- الله أكبر – Allah is the Greatest
- إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ – If Allah wills it
- مَا شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ – What Allah has willed
- جَزَاكَ ٱللَّٰهُ – May Allah reward you
- ٱسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّٰهَ – I seek forgiveness from Allah
In Light of The Quran and Hadith
There are many verses in the Holy Quran that highlight the significance of performing dhikr. For example, it is stated in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:41):
يٰۗاَيُّہَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللہَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيْرًا۴۱ۙ
“O you who believe, remember God a great deal.”
Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:28) states:
اَلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَتَطْمَىِٕنُّ قُلُوْبُہُمْ بِذِكْرِ اؘ۰ۭ اَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللہِ تَطْمَىِٕنُّ الْقُلُوْبُ۲۸ۭ
“Those who believe and find peace in their hearts from the contemplation of God: Surely there is peace of heart in the contemplation of God!”
It comes in Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:10):
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ١٠
“And when the service of prayer is over spread out in the land, and look for the bounty of God. and remember God a great deal that you may prosper.”
Several Hadith also mention the importance of dhikr in Islam. Abu Ad-Darda (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Should I not inform you of the best of your deed, and the purest of them with your Master, and the highest of them in your ranks, and what is better for you than spending gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks, and they strike your necks?” They said: “Of course.” He said, “The remembrance of Allah [Most High].” [Then] Mu’adh bin Jabal [may Allah be pleased with him] said: “There is nothing that brings more salvation from the punishment of Allah than the remembrance of Allah.”
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi: 3377)
Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“People will not sit in an assembly in which they remember Allah without the angels surrounding them, mercy covering them, and Allah mentioning them among those who are with Him.”
(Bulugh Al-Maram: 1540)
Also, Abdullah bin Busr (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated:
A Bedouin said to the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ): “The laws of Islam are burdensome for me. Tell me of something that I will be able to adhere to.” He said: ‘Always keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3793)
The Benefits of Dhikr and Tasbeeh
Muslims who engage in dhikr and devote their heart and tongues to the remembrance of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) reap significant rewards and are promised forgiveness. Here are a few of them:
- Dhikr brings Muslims closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) since it is a direct connection with Him.
- Dhikr protects the hearts and minds of Muslims from shaitan and brings light (Nur) into their hearts. It encourages them to turn to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) for fulfilling all their needs and desires.
- Dhikr is a wonderful opportunity to increase the spiritual connection with Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and become closer to Him. It also lets Muslims experience tranquility and security in His presence.
- Dhikr occupies the heart and tongue with remembering Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) and prevents Muslims from sinning or talking negatively.
- Dhikr bestows blessings upon a Muslim’s existence and opens their hearts to distinguish between right from wrong.
- Performing dhikr frequently helps Muslims avoid hypocrisy because hypocrites rarely remember or recall Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
- Dhikr calms the heart and mind and reduces concerns and anxieties. Instead, it brings joy and strength.
- Dhikr protects Muslims from their enemies, both physically and spiritually. It functions as a barrier, safeguarding against any danger or ill will.
- Dhikr is the foundation of gratitude and appreciation (Shukr). When you frequently remember Him, you express your thanks abundantly.
Short and Easy Tasbeehat and Dhikr
Here are some commonly recited dhikr that Muslims should incorporate into their daily lives and recite as a routine:
- ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ and لَا اِلہَ اِلَا اللہُ
Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) narrated:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘The best of remembrance is La ilaha illallah (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and the best of supplication is Al-Hamdu Lillah (Praise is to Allah).’”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3800)
- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ (Glory be to Allah and His is All Praise)
It is narrated by Abu Huraira (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,’ one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6405)
- سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ العَظِيم (Glory be to Allah and His is All Praise; Allah the Greatest is Free from All Imperfection)
Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: ‘Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection]’”.
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 6682)
- يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِكَ أَسْتَغِيْث (O Living, O Self-Sufficient Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I Seek Relief)
Anas bin Malik (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) said:
“Whenever a matter would distress him, the Prophet (ﷺ) would say: ‘O Living, O Self-Sustaining Sustainer! In Your Mercy do I seek relief (Yā Ḥayyu yā Qayyūm, bi-raḥmatika astaghīth).
(Jami` at-Tirmidhi: 3524)
- سبحان الله، والحمد لله، ولا إله إلا الله، والله أكبر (Glorified is Allah, and the praise is for Allah, and there is no Deity but Allah, and Allah is the Most Great)
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) passed by him when he was planting a plant, and said: “O Abu Hurairah, what are you planting?” I said: “A plant for me.” He said: “Shall I not tell you of a plant that is better than this?” He said: “Of course, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Say: ‘Subhan-Allah, wal-hamdu-lillah, wa la ilaha illallah, wa Allahu Akbar.’ For each one a tree will be planted for you in Paradise.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah: 3807)
- رَبِّ اغْفِـرْ لي، وَتُبْ عَلَـيَّ، إِنَّكَ أَنْـتَ التَّـوّابُ الغَـفُورُ (O my Lord! Forgive me and accept my repentance, Indeed, You are the Oft-Returning, the All-Forgiving)
Ibn Umar said (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ):
“In one sitting of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), one could count that he said a hundred time, before he would get up: ‘O my Lord, forgive me, and accept my repentance. Verily, You are the Oft-Returning, the Most Forgiving’”.
(Jami at-Tirmidhi: 3434)
Tasbeeh of Fatimah
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is said to have instructed his daughter Fatimah (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) a unique form of dhikr referred to as the ‘Tasbeeh of Fatimah’ (Sahih Bukhari: 6318):
It is recited as follows:
- سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ (God is glorified) is recited 33 times. This phrase is referred to as Tasbih (تَسْبِيح).
- ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ (All Praise is due to God) is recited 33 times. This phrase is referred to as Tahmid (تَحْمِيد).
- ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (God is Greater than all things) is recited 34 times. This expression is referred to as Takbir (تَكْبِير).
Another version is as follows:
- ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ (God is Greater than all things) is recited 34 times. This expression is referred to as Takbir (تَكْبِير).
- ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ (All Praise is due to God) is recited 33 times. This phrase is referred to as Tahmid (تَحْمِيد).
- سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ (God is glorified) is recited 33 times. This phrase is referred to as Tasbih (تَسْبِيح).
- In conclusion, they recite لَا اِلہَ اِلَا اللہُ (There is no deity except Allah).
MuslimandQuran Tasbeeh Counter: Your Online Alternative to Prayer Beads
Dhikr is usually done using a beaded string known as a ‘tasbeeh’. The beads serve to count the total recitations included in the dhikr. A tasbeeh makes it easier to follow the count of prayers instead of doing them orally. It also lets the person reciting the prayer focus on the words being recited instead of concentrating on both the count and wording when performing tasbeeh.
There are typically 33, 99, or 100 misbaha (prayer beads) on a tasbeeh. This corresponds with the names of God in Islam and various other prayers. However, carrying a tasbeeh isn’t always possible, especially when you’re at work and have to juggle multiple tasks. Plus, keeping track of where you were on the tasbeeh is also difficult.
This is why we developed an online tasbeeh counter to help you do your tasks and perform dhikr simultaneously. The counter clearly shows the count of prayers and has a user-friendly interface with options for many beautiful prayer beads. You can switch tabs, do your tasks, and come back and continue from where you left off without any confusion.
Muslim and Quran aims to make the practice and learning of Islam easier for everyone, and our online tasbeeh counter is just an example of such a tool designed to make your daily tasbeeh more convenient.
