We tried to stand up (as a mark of respect) but Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Keep to your beds, and he sat amongst us and I felt the coldness of his feet upon my chest. He then said: May I not direct you to something better than what you have asked for? When you go to your bed, you should recite Takbir (Allah-o-Akbar) thirty-four times and Tasbih (Subhan Allah) thirty-three times and Tahmid (al-Hamdu li-Allah) thirty-three times, and that is better than the servant for you.
The Book Pertaining to the Remembrance of Allah, Supplication, Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness - Sahih Muslim 2727 a
This narration from Sahih Muslim relates an incident where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught his companions a profound remembrance of Allah to be recited before sleep. The companions sought to honor the Prophet by standing, but he instructed them to remain seated, demonstrating humility and accessibility.
Scholarly Commentary on the Hadith
The Prophet's instruction to remain in bed rather than stand shows the Islamic principle of avoiding unnecessary formalities that may cause hardship. His physical proximity, with the companion feeling the coldness of his feet, illustrates the Prophet's closeness to his followers.
The prescribed remembrance consists of thirty-four takbirs (Allahu Akbar), thirty-three tasbihs (Subhan Allah), and thirty-three tahmids (Alhamdulillah), totaling one hundred remembrances. This comprehensive dhikr encompasses Allah's greatness, perfection, and gratitude for His blessings.
The Prophet's statement that this remembrance is "better than the servant for you" indicates its immense spiritual value. While a servant provides worldly assistance, this dhikr brings divine protection, spiritual purification, and eternal rewards that far surpass temporal benefits.
Practical Implementation
Scholars recommend reciting this dhikr while lying in bed before sleep, using finger joints to count if needed. The sequence typically begins with takbir, followed by tasbih, then tahmid. This practice ensures one's final thoughts before sleep are of Allah, providing spiritual protection throughout the night.
The wisdom behind these specific numbers lies in their totality of one hundred - a complete number in Islamic tradition representing perfection and comprehensive remembrance of the Divine.