What is the ruling on tasbih (remembrance of Allah) with a misbaha (prayer beads)?

Question:
The questioner asks: What is the ruling on tasbih (remembrance of Allah) with a misbaha (prayer beads)?

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Regarding tasbih (remembrance of Allah) with a misbaha (prayer beads): if one believes that there is a special virtue in it, this is not permissible; this is a bid'ah (religious innovation). If one believes that the misbaha (prayer beads) has a special virtue, this is a bid'ah (religious innovation) and is not permissible. However, if one does not believe there is any virtue in it, and only takes it for the purpose of counting the tasbih (remembrance of Allah), just as one counts with his fingers or with pebbles, this is permissible. But counting with the fingers is better; tying the tasbih (remembrance of Allah) with the fingers and counting with the fingers is better. It is permissible with pebbles, and it is permissible with a misbaha (prayer beads).