Is the tasbih with prayer beads a good innovation? And is there a good innovation in Islam?
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The questioner : This is a listener to the program, Aisha Ibrahim, asking and saying in her question: Is the tasbih with prayer beads an innovation, as they say it is a good innovation? And is there a good innovation in Islam?
The Shaykh : Yes. We do not say that the tasbih with prayer beads is an innovation, because the tasbih is not intended as a deliberate act of worship. The use of prayer beads for tasbih is not intended as an act of worship; rather, it is intended to keep count. It is a means, not an end. Therefore, we do not say it is an innovation. However, we say that the tasbih with the fingers is better, because this is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to in his saying: This indicates that the best way is to count with the fingers, because they will testify on the Day of Resurrection to the work they moved for.
The tasbih with prayer beads has issues. First, it is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to. Second, it may lead to showing off, as seen in some people who wear prayer beads around their necks with a thousand beads, as if they are saying to people, "Look, we are doing tasbih a thousand times." It leads to showing off.
Third, the one who does tasbih with prayer beads is heedless of his heart. You find his heart heedless, he is careless with the beads, his eyes are moving right and left, and his heart is also wandering right and left. So using prayer beads is closer to heedlessness than using the fingers. Therefore, a person should do the tasbih with his fingers, and it is better to do so with the right hand. If he does it with both hands, there is no harm. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes. We do not say that the tasbih with prayer beads is an innovation, because the tasbih is not intended as a deliberate act of worship. The use of prayer beads for tasbih is not intended as an act of worship; rather, it is intended to keep count. It is a means, not an end. Therefore, we do not say it is an innovation. However, we say that the tasbih with the fingers is better, because this is what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to in his saying:
Tie them with your fingers, for they are the ones that will be questioned.
اعقدن بالأنامل فإنهن مستنطقاتThe tasbih with prayer beads has issues. First, it is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to. Second, it may lead to showing off, as seen in some people who wear prayer beads around their necks with a thousand beads, as if they are saying to people, "Look, we are doing tasbih a thousand times." It leads to showing off.
Third, the one who does tasbih with prayer beads is heedless of his heart. You find his heart heedless, he is careless with the beads, his eyes are moving right and left, and his heart is also wandering right and left. So using prayer beads is closer to heedlessness than using the fingers. Therefore, a person should do the tasbih with his fingers, and it is better to do so with the right hand. If he does it with both hands, there is no harm. Yes.