Question: The questioner from Al-Aflaj sent this question (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), saying:
“Your Eminence, Sheikh! What is the ruling on doing the Tasbih (saying ‘SubhanAllah’) and Tahleel (saying ‘La ilaha illallah’) on a Subhah (prayer beads, Urdu- Tasbeeh)? Is it permissible? I’ve been using this Subhah to glorify Allah for a long time.”
Shaikh Abdul Azeez bin Abdullah bin Baaz (Rahimahullah) answered:
There is no harm in glorifying Allah with prayer beads, no harm in that, or with pebbles, or with anything like small stones, or with coffee beans, or anything similar, there is no harm in that, or with a rosary; making a rosary is fine, but it is better with the fingers.
The Prophet used to glorify Allah with his fingers -peace and blessings be upon him. So, if one glorifies with something other than that, there is no harm in it, but it is better to glorify with your fingers, especially during prayers in front of people in Mosques, it (Dhikr) should be (done) with your fingers. As for at home, the matter is broader and easier. Yes. (End quote.)
Source: Fatawa Noor Ala-Ad-Darb.
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna.)
Note: In a narration in Jami At-Tirmidhi 3568 (‘Hasan’ according to Shaikh Zubair Ali Zai Rahimahullah), Aishah bint Sa’ad narrates that her father, Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas, entered with the Prophet Muhammad (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) upon a woman using a date-seed or stone for Tasbih (glorifying Allah). The Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) advised her of a more comprehensive and superior form of Dhikr (remembrance, Dua), but did not condemn the use of an object for counting. This indicates that the use of prayer beads (Masbahah, Tasbeeh) for Dhikr is not an innovation (Bid’ah), as it aligns with the practice of using physical aids for Dhikr, as was done in the presence of the Prophet (Salallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).
Saheehus-Seerah 