Once Sa'd, with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), visited a woman in front of whom were some date-stones or pebbles which she was using as a rosary to glorify Allah. He (the Prophet) said: I tell you something which would be easier (or more excellent) for you than that. He said (it consisted of saying): Glory be to Allah as many times as the number of that which He has created in Heaven; Glory be to Allah as many times as the number of that which He has created on Earth; Glory be to Allah as many times as the number of that which He has created between them; Glory be to Allah as many times as the number of that which He is creating; Allah is most great a similar number of times; Praise (be to Allah) a similar number of times; and There is no god but Allah a similar number of times; There is no might and no power except in Allah a similar number of times.

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.

I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) counting the glorification of Allah on fingers.

Ibn Qudamah said (in his version: With his right hands.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went out from Juwayriyyah (wife of the Prophet). Earlier her name was Barrah, and he changed it. When he went out she was in her place of worship, and when he returned she was in her place of worship.

He asked: Have you been in your place of worship continuously? She said: Yes. He then said: Since leaving you I have said three times four phrases which, if weighed against all that you have said (during this period), would prove to be heavier: glory be to Allah, and I begin with praise of Him to the number of His creatures, in accordance with His good pleasure, to the weight of His throne and to the ink (extent) of His words.