How to Perform Dhikr

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 References Approved

Dhikr is an Islamic term that refers to any action that reminds us of Allah. All Muslims should aim to be mindful of Allah throughout each day and any action that helps achieve this objective is a form of dhikr. This guide focuses on an important form of dhikr which involves repeating beautiful phrases such as “Subhanallah”, “Alhamdulillah” and “Allahu akbar” pre-determined numbers of times. These can be counted using your hand or a string of prayer beads. Other important forms of dhikr include the ritual repetition of Allah’s names and the recitation of duas at particular times such as when getting up, eating, dressing, entering the masjid etc. ^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Performing Dhikr After the Salah (Prayer)

1
Recite dhikr (remembrance of Allah) after salah (prayer). Preform dhikr after each of the 5 obligatory prayers. You can either recite dhikr alone or in a group with other Muslims.
- Salah is performed at dawn, midday, the late part of the afternoon, just after sunset, and between sunset and midnight.^{[2]
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2
Think of nothing except God as you perform dhikr. Clear your mind of both positive and negative thoughts, and let only thoughts of God enter your mind. Once you’ve achieved this state, begin to perform dhikr.^{[3]
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- Physically remove yourself from any task or preoccupation that may distract you as you perform dhikr.
- Try to perform dhikr in a quiet place so you can stay focused.
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3
Start by saying “Subhanallah” 33 times. Subhanallah is an Arabic phrase that translates roughly to mean “glory be to God.” You can keep track of how many times you say Subhanallah by using your hand or a misbaha, a string of prayer beads.
- Subhanallah is pronounced sʊbˌhɑːnəˈlɑː.^{[4]
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4
Say “Alhamdulillah” 33 times. In Arabic, Alhamdulillah means “praise be to God.” As soon as you finish saying Subhanallah for the 33rd time, begin saying Alhamdulillah.
- Pronounce Alhamdulillah as: alˌhamduːlɪˈlɑː.^{[5]
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- To keep track of how many times you’ve said Alhamdulillah, use the same method of counting you used when reciting Subhanallah.
5
Finish by saying “Allahu akbar” 34 times. Translated as “God is the greatest,” Allahu akbar is the third phrase you should repeat after the obligatory prayers. As when you say Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah, you can either recite Allahu akbar aloud or silently.
- Allahu akbar is pronounced: əˌlɑːhuː ˈakbɑː.^{[6]
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- Alternatively, you can finish the dhikr by uttering the following phrase: “Laa ilaaha illallaah wahdahu laa shareekalahu, lahul mulk walahul hamd wa huwa ‘alaa kulli shayin qadeer.”
- This passage can be translated as: “There is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner with Him. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent.”

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Track of Your Counting with Your Hand

1
Keep track of your count with your thumb and fingers on your right hand. To start, turn your hand so that you are looking at your palm. You will use your thumb to mark your count on your 4 fingers and your index finger to mark your count on your thumb.^{[7]
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- While using your left hand is permissible, it is customary to use your right hand while performing dhikr.
2
Find the segments on your fingers. If you look at your open palm, you will see that each finger is divided into 3 segments. You will use these segments to keep track of your count when performing dhikr.^{[8]
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- If you are missing a finger or part of a finger, you can either alter the method of counting or use your left hand.
3
Start your count at the bottom segment of your pinkie finger. As you say Subhanallah, use your thumb to touch the bottom segment of your pinkie finger. As you repeat Subhanallah, move your thumb up to the middle segment of your pinkie finger. When you say Subhanallah for the 3rd time, touch the top segment of your pinkie finger.^{[9]
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- You will repeat this step when you begin reciting Alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar.
4
Continue by counting down your pinkie finger. When you say Subhanallah for the fourth time, touch the top segment of your pinkie again. Then, count down until you reach the bottom segment of your pinkie finger.^{[10]
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- By the end of this step, you will have used your pinkie to count 6 recitations of the phrase Subhanallah, 2 recitations per finger segment.
- You will also repeat this step when you recite Alhamdulillah and Allahu akbar.
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Repeat the previous two steps on your other 3 fingers. Once you reach the bottom of your pinkie finger, continue counting on your ring finger. Then move on to your middle finger and index finger.^{[11]
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- Use each finger to count 6 recitations of Subhanallah.
- By the time you reach the bottom of your index finger the second time, you will have recited Subhanallah 24 times.
6
Use your index finger to count 9 recitations on your thumb. Start at the bottom segment of your thumb and count 6 recitations, moving up and then down, just like you did for each finger. Then, when your reach the bottom of your thumb, go up one more time to count 3 additional recitations.^{[12]
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- Once you finish counting 9 recitations on your thumb, you will have recited Subhanallah 33 times.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Prayer Beads to Count

1
Find a string of 33 beads to simplify your count. Using a string of 33 beads, known as subha or misbaha, will allow you to easily cycle through your recitations of Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu akbar. Use each bead to count 1 recitation of Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu akbar.^{[13]
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- Prayer beads are made from a variety of materials, including: amber, black coral (yusr), wood, ivory, and pearl.
- You can also choose from a range of colors, including: golden brown, turquoise, blue, yellow, or white.
2
Touch 1 bead for each recitation of Subhanallah. Hold your strand of prayer beads in one hand or both hands. Then, use your thumb to cycle through the beads as you recite Subhanallah 33 times.^{[14]
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- As you recite Subhanallah, remember to clear your mind of all thoughts except those of God.
3
Cycle through your strand of 33 beads 2 more times. Once you’ve recited Subhanallah 33 times, count through the 33 beads a 2nd time while reciting Alhamdulillah. Then do the same as you recite Allahu akbar 33 times.^{[15]
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- By the end of this step, you will have counted through your strand of prayer beads 3 times, making a total of 99 recitations.
- Once you’ve finished cycling through your strand of prayer beads for the 3rd time, finish your dhikr with a final recitation of Allahu akbar.

Community Q&A

Question

If I keep praying incorrectly for the rest in my life, can I still go to Jannah?

Community Answer

It depends on Allah's judgment. If you genuinely strive to pray correctly then surely he will grant you Jannah Insha Allah.
Question

What happens if your scarf falls off during namaz. Will it be accepted?

Ayyat Khurram

Community Answer

If your awrah is uncovered during salah, but it is only by mistake and is immediately covered, then it is fine.
Question

Where are some places I could go to become Muslim?

Anousha

Top Answerer

You can go to a local mosque to convert or get converted by any Muslim. It doesn't matter where you are.