The Ruling on the Misbaha (Prayer Beads)

Question:
He kept asking about the ruling on the misbaha, the prayer beads that people use in their hands?

Answer:
Leaving it is preferable. Some scholars dislike it, and some consider it a religious innovation (bid'ah), but some hadiths indicate leniency regarding it. Therefore, leaving it is preferable. Reciting the dhikr with one's hands and fingers is the best and most preferable, and leaving the misbaha is preferable, especially with this display among people, for there is a type of showing off (riya') to be feared, with it in one's hand, and people reciting with it, and them being ostentatious with it. The point is that leaving these beads and reciting the dhikr with the fingers, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did, is preferable, better, and more beneficial. These bones are accountable and will speak on the Day of Resurrection, so they should be used for reciting the dhikr and the tahlil.