The Ruling on the Misbaha (Prayer Beads)

Question:
The listener Khalid Muhammad al-Dawsari sent a message containing a number of questions, among which was a question about the misbaha (prayer beads), in which he said: I heard that it is a bid'ah (religious innovation), so what is the correct position on that?

Answer:
It is narrated from some of the Salaf (the earliest generations) that he would count his tasbih (praise of Allah) with pebbles, some with date pits, and some with knots, but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would count with his fingers. He would count his tasbih with his fingers, and it is established from him that he commanded the use of the fingers, meaning: the fingers.
So the Sunnah (recommended practice) is for that to be done with the fingers; this is the Sunnah, and this is the best.
As for using the misbaha, or date pits, or pebbles, if that is in the house, in its place inside the house, then the matter is easy, if Allah wills, as some of the Salaf did. But among people and in the mosques, it should not be done; because that is contrary to the apparent Sunnah, and because that may lead to riya' (showing off in worship) through that action. The Sunnah is to count with the fingers at all times, but in the mosques and among people, this is emphasized, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions did. It is narrated from some of the Salaf, and it is narrated from Juwayriyyah bint al-Harith, the Mother of the Believers, that she did that with pebbles in the house. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.