Editing Misbaha (section)

==Use==
A misbaḥah is a tool that is used as an aid to perform [[dhikr]], including the [[names of God in Islam]], and after [[namaz|regular prayer]].<ref name="Netton"/> It is often made of [[wood]]en or [[plastic]] beads, but also of [[olive]] seeds, [[ivory]], [[pearl]]s, and semi-precious stones such as [[carnelian]], [[onyx]], and [[amber]]. 

A typical misbahah consists of three groups of beads, separated by two distinct beads (called ''imām''s) along with one larger piece (called the ''yad'') to serve as the handle.<ref name="Wensinck 1997"/> The exact number may vary, but they usually consist of 99 beads to assist in the glorification of God following prayers: 33 [[Subhan Allah|Tasbeeh]] (subhāna-llāh ), 33 [[Alhamdulillah|Tahmeed]] (ʾal-ḥamdu li-llāh), and 34 [[Takbir|Takbeer]] (ʾAllāhu ʾakbar). Some suggest the 99 beads also refer to the [[99 names of Allah]]. Smaller misbahas consist of 33 beads, in which case one cycles through them three times to complete 99. However, misbahas may also consist of 100 or 200-count beads to assist in the [[dhikr]] duties of certain [[Sufi order]]s.

It is often carried by pilgrims, [[dervish]]es, and many ordinary Muslims of all groups, however some consider it heretical innovation (''[[bid'ah]]'') and only allow dhikrs to be counted on the fingers.<ref name="Wensinck 1997">{{cite book |last1=Wensinck |first1=A.J. |editor1-last=Bosworth |editor1-first=C.E. |editor2-last=van Donzel |editor2-first=E. |editor3-last=Heinrichs |editor3-first=W.P. |editor4-last=Lecomte |editor4-first=G. |title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam, Vol. IX (SAN-SZE) |date=1997 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=90-04-10422-4 |pages=741=2 |url=https://ia600603.us.archive.org/14/items/EncyclopaediaDictionaryIslamMuslimWorldEtcGibbKramerScholars.13/09.EncycIslam.NewEdPrepNumLeadOrient.EdEdComCon.BosDonHeinLec.etc.UndPatIUA.v9.San-Sze.Leid.EJBrill.1997..pdf |access-date=18 May 2022 |chapter=SUBḤA}}</ref> Many Shi'is use beads made from clay from [[Karbala]], sometimes colored red in memory of the martyred [[Imam Husayn]]'s blood or green in memory of his brother [[Hasan ibn Ali|Hasan]] (who supposedly turned green from poisoning).<ref name="Wensinck 1997"/>

Misbahahs are also used culturally to [[worry beads|reduce stress]] or as an indication of status in society.

[[File:Qur'an and tespih.jpg|250px|thumbnail|Qurʾan and Misbaha]]