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

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

Answer : Using prayer beads for dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is not recommended, because reciting dhikr with the fingers is better than using beads, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed that the fingers be used to count the dhikr. Furthermore, using prayer beads may be tainted by showing off (riya') on the part of the one using them. Also, reciting dhikr with beads leads to heedlessness in the one performing it. You see those who use prayer beads; you see them reciting dhikr according to the number of beads, while they look to the right and left, so their hearts are heedless and distracted from the remembrance of Allah (Mighty and Majestic). The remembrance is with the tongue and by counting these beads. For this reason, we hold that using prayer beads for dhikr is something to be avoided, and a person should not use them. Rather, he should use the knuckles of his fingers for counting the dhikr, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided to that.