In some Masjids (Mosques) when

Q 2: Did the Messenger (peace be upon him) use to make Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]") using his right hand to count the times of Tasbih or did he use his left hand too? It is mentioned in a Hadith, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used his hand to count the times of saying Tasbih. And in another one, it was mentioned that he (peace be upon him) used to do this with his right hand. Are both Hadiths authentic or not?

A: Allah (Exalted be He) has ordained in His Book to Glorify Him using the form of Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]"), so has the authentic Sunnah which clarified the virtue of Tasbih both in general and with respect to time and status. As for using the hands or fingers to count the times of Tasbih, Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad in addition to Abu Dawud in his Sunan on the authority of Yasirah bint Yasir (may Allah be pleased with her) - she was one of Al-Muhajirat (Emigrant women from Makkah to Madinah) - that she said: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) told us (Part No. 7; Page No. 106)  O believing women, stick to Tahlil (saying: " La Ilaha Illa Allah" [There is no god but Allah]", Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]") and Taqdis (sanctifying Allah) and do not be inattentive lest you should miss mercy. You could also count the times of glorifying of Allah by fingers for they will be questioned and made to speak (by Allah). Al-Tirmidhy also narrated on the authority of Al-A`mash on the authority of `Ata' ibn Al-Sa'ib from his father on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that he said: I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) counting Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah]") on his fingers. He (Al-Tirmidhy) said: This is a Hassan Gharib Hadith (a good Hadith that is strange to come from this chain of narration) on the authority of Al-A`mash on the authority of `Ata' ibn Al-Sa'ib who said: Shu`bah and Al-Thawry narrated this same Hadith on the authority of `Ata' ibn Al-Sa'ib with his words. It was also narrated by Abu Dawud on the authority of `Ubaydullah ibn `Umar ibn Maysarah and Muhammad ibn Qudamah on the authority of others that they said: Ghannam told us on the authority of Al-A`mash on the authority of `Ata' ibn Al-Sa'ib from his father on the authority of `Abdullah Ibn `Amr (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that he said: I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) counting Tasbih (saying: "Subhan Allah [Glory be to Allah] on his fingers" Ibn Qudamah said:(with his right hand). Accordingly, it is clear for the questioner the wordings in which the Hadith was narrated, and there is no contradiction between them, rather some of which are general and some are detailed. Yet, what enhances the preference of Tasbih using the right hand is the general Hadith narrated by `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to love to start doing anything with the right side whenever possible; in offering Wudu' (ablution), putting on his shoes, combing his hair, and all his affairs. (Part No. 7; Page No. 107)  Narrated by Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim and the Four Compilers of the Books of Sunan (Imams Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'iy and Ibn Majah). There is much flexibility in this regard, and there is no harm in using the fingers of both hands as it is clarified in the previously mentioned Hadith narrated by Yasirah. However using the fingers of the right hand is better for what is previously stated.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.