In addition to the forms of zikr already mentioned, there are three others, which are even of more common use, and are known as Tasbih, Tahmid, and Takbir. They are used as exclamations of joy and surprise, as well as for the devotional exercise of zikr.

Tasbih is the expression Subhana-Allah! "Holiness be to God!"

Tahmid, Alhamdu li-Allah! "Praise be to God!"

Takbir, Allahu akbar! "God is great!"

When the Tasbih and Tahmid are recited together, it is said thus, Subhanna 'llahi bi-hamdi-hi, i.e. "Holiness be to God with His praise." It is related in the Hadis that Muhammad said, "Whoever recites this sentence a hundred times, morning and evening, will have all his sins forgiven."

Muhammad said, "Repeat the Tasbih a hundred times, and a thousand virtues shall be recorded by God for you, ten virtuous deeds for each repetition."

In forming our estimation of Muhammad and Muhammadanism, we must take into consideration the important place the devotional exercise of zikr occupies in the system, not forgetting that it has had the authoritative sanction of the Prophet himself.

A description of a zikr session

The following is a graphic description of one of these devotional performances by Dr. Eugene Schuyler, in his work on Turkistan:--

"At about ten o'clock one Thursday evening, in company with several friends, we went to the mosque and were at once admitted. Some thirty men, young and old, were on their knees in front of the qiblah, reciting prayers with loud cries and violent movements of the body, and around them was a circle, two or three deep, of men standing, who were going through the same motions. We took up a position in one corner and watched the proceedings. For the most part, the performers or worshipers had taken off their outside gowns and their turbans, for the night was warm and the exercise was violent. They were reciting the words 'My defence is in God! May Allah be magnified! My light, Muhammad - God bless him! There is no God but God!" These words were chanted to various semi-musical notes in a low voice, and were accompanied by a violent movement of the head over the left shoulder towards the heart, then back, then to the right shoulder, and then down, as if directing all the movements towards the heart. These texts were repeated for hundreds and hundreds of times and this zikr usually lasted for an hour or two. At first the movements were slow, but continually increased in rapidity until the performers were unable to endure it any longer. If anyone failed in his duty, or was slower, or made less movement than was required, then persons who regulated the enthusiasm went up to him and struck him over the head, or pushed him back out of the circle and called another into it. Occasionally persons got so worn out with their cries, and so wet with perspiration that it became necessary for them to retire for a few minutes rest, and their places were immediately taken by others. When their voices became entirely hoarse with one cry, another was begun and finally the cry was struck up, 'He lives! He lives! God lives!' at first slowly, with an inclination of the body to the ground: then the rhythm grew faster and in cadence, the body became more vertical, until at last they all stood up: the measure still increased in rapidity, and, each one placing his hand on the shoulder of his neighbour, and then forming several concentric rings, they moved in a mass from side to side of the mosque, leaping about and always crying: 'He lives! God lives!' Hitherto, there had been something wild and unearthly in it, but now to persons of weak nerves, it became positively painful, and two of my friends were so much impressed as to be obliged to leave the mosque. Although I was sufficiently cold-blooded to see the ridiculous (sic), rather than horrible side of this, I could not help receiving an impression that the devotees were a pack of madmen, whose motions were utterly independent of any volition of their own. . . The intonations of the voice were very remarkable and were often accompanied by most singular gestures, the hands or a book being often held to the side of the mouth in order to throw the voice as far as possible. Often these recitations are merely collections of meaningless words (sic) which always seem to produce the same effect on the hearers, and are constantly interrupted by cries of Hi, ho, och, ba, ba, and groans and sobs, and the hearers weep, beat their breasts with their fists, or fall upon the round."