The Healing Power of Prayer Beads

By Karima Burns, MH, ND

11/04/2002

www.islamonline.net/English/Science/2002/04/images/pic07.jpg

Yahya related to me from Malik that Ziyad ibn Abi Ziyad said that Abu'd-Darda had said, "Shall I not tell you the best of your deeds, and those that give you the highest rank, and those that are the purest with your King, and are better for you than giving gold and silver, and better for you than meeting your enemy and striking their necks?" They said, "Of course." He said, "Remembrance (dhikr) of Allah ta ala (Hadith Bukhari Book 15:7.24)."

Towards this goal many Muslims carry a sibhah, or prayer beads. Traditionally, prayer beads are used to keep track of how many times one has recited Subhan Allah, Alhamdulliah and Allahu Akbar. The most popular way is to use them after the obligatory prayer to recite the dhikr [remembrance of] Allah:

Narrated Abu Ma'bad: (the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas) Ibn 'Abbas told me, "In the lifetime of the Prophet it was the custom to celebrate Allah's praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers." Ibn 'Abbas further said, "When I heard the Dhikr, I would learn that the compulsory congregational prayer had ended (Bukhari Vol.1: Book 12: 802)."

However, although the dhikr Allah has been recited from the time of the Prophet, the sibhah as we now know it today has not been recorded as being in existence at that time. Some accounts of history show that Muslims adopted the sibhah from India in the 2nd Islamic century and through them, in 1214, that the Christians adopted the idea and started using the rosary (Gulik).

However, methods of assistance have always been employed in religious devotion even before the sibhah. Tradition states that before the sibhah, stones were sometimes used to recite. Other religions used knotted cords or woven shawls to keep track of recitations.

Modern technology, however, has added a new dimension to prayer beads when electronic sibhah were invented. Many people even prefer not to use a sibhah at all.

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Asalam~O~Alykum

I wanted to share this pic with everyone b/c its really beautiful. I so want 2 go there. I thinks this is the best pic i had ever seen in my life. Don't u agree!!!!!!!

Salam~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Masriahmuslimah

Salam

Ramadan Mubarak to everyone. I bet everyone is looking forward to thier first fast tomarow. Tonite everyone will be reading thier first taraweeh namaz aswell.

Alhamdulillah this month will bring many blessings to all of us. Inshallah Allah will forgive us for our sins and help our Duas to come true.

I will remember everyone in my duas and pray for all the Muslims in the world and pray that Allah helps others to come to Islam aswell.

As Salam alykom dear members

First off I would like to take the chance and wish u all a blessed Ramadan may Allah assist us and you to perform night prayer and fasting. For this month I felt to give u all a useful present, yet due to time constraints could not prepare it fully. Yet I will just present it in its current form. I just hope that every body would make utmost benefit and help us to develop it into a better formOn this link, you will find a selection of mp3 audio material on this link

http://www.islamsms.com/audio/e/

I wish that each member who downloads and uses the material to provide a brief description (ex. Title, subject, clarity of sound..etc). By this we will be able to add it to the next updated page. I managed to obtain this material from a charitable organization working in Dawa`a but did not have much detail about the contents. Also I no longer in contact with the brothers who prepared the material.

Hassan Alwan 25/10/2003 RAMADAN 1 - 1424

Salamo 3aliekom:

I know it is a bit long, but try to read it to the end...... I think "the plan" worked.

Shereen El-Mitainy

From: "ola mahanni"

Subject: SATAN'S MEETING:

Date: Mon, 06 Oct 2003 14:58:04 +0000

SATAN'S MEETING:

(Read even if you're busy)

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.

In his opening address he said,

"We can't keep Muslims from going to Mosque."

"We can't keep them from reading their Quran and knowing the truth."

"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Allah and his messenger Muhammad."

"Once they gain that connection with Allah, our power over them is broken."

"So let them go to their Mosques; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Allah and his messnger Muhammad."

"This is what I want you to do," said the devil:

"Distract them from gaining hold of their Allah and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"

"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.

"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.

"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."

"Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."

"Keep them from spending time with their children."

"As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"

"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."

"Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive." "To keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays music constantly."

"This will jam their minds and break that union with Allah and his messenger Muhammad."

"Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."

"Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."

"Invade their driving moments with billboards."

"Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."

"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "

"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."

Give them headaches too!

"If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere."

"That will fragment their families quickly!"

"Give them story books to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Salat."

"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on Allah's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead. "Keep them busy, busy, busy!"

"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."

"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Allah."

"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."

"It will work!" "It will work!"

It was quite a plan!

The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Muslims everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there.

Having little time for their Allah or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Allah and his messenger Muhammad to change lives.

I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?

You be the judge!!!!!

Does "BUSY" mean:

B-eing

U-nder

S-atan's

Y-oke?

Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY!

I don't think I know 10 people who would admit they love Allah. Do You Love Him?

IF YOU LOVE Allah, PASS THIS ON!!!!!!!

Don't put limits on yourself.

Realize that it's never too late.

loulou

http://www.sultan.org

http://www.islam-online.net/english/index.shtml

A new night

of the sacred month

the thin slice of the moon; the crescent

visible only a few minutes

to the naked eye

A sight beautiful

signaling new,

fresh

Greetings one to the other: Ramadan Mubarakh

And a few hours later

sounds of drums

Wake up! Wake up!

have a meal,

a simple glass of water!

Before the first light,

before you begin the fast,

make the intention

Wake up! Wake up!

And the day progresses, a slowing down;

restaurants closed, coffee houses empty.

And workers begin their trek home early

Late afternoon, the speciality stores open

selling the special once a year snacks,

crowds flocking and moving hurriedly

collecting their Iftar (break fast)

And mothers prepare the traditional meals

taking extra time

for the fasting family

Only an hour before the sun sets

city streets empty,

as in a curfew,

And now only a few minutes,

family and friends gather around the table

making small talk

awaiting the moment...silence...

Allah-hu Akbar

Allah-hu Akbar

Allah-hu Akbar

Allah-hu Akbar

(God is great)

Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah

Ash-hadu an la illaha illal-lah

(I witness that there is no God except Allah)

Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah

Ash-hadu anna Mohammadan rasoolol lah

(I witness that Mohammad is the Prophet of Allah)

Hay-ye alas-slat

Hay-ye alas-slat

(Hurry up for prayer)

Hay-ye alal falah

Hay-ye alal falah

(Hurry up for prosperity)

Allah-hu Akbar

Allah-hu Akbar

La illaha illal-lah

La illaha illal-lah

(There is no God except Allah)

And the siren, signalling the sun dipping below the horizon

And together, some with dates, some with a pinch of salt

"We take this food in the name of Allah, most gracious, ever merciful"

Prayers given

and later friends and family

mill around, some content

others tired, but all happy

on this day of Ramadan...

Peace

One night I heard a knock on my door;

Who can it be,I wasn't quite sure.

I open the door and am filled with glee;

The visitor ahead is no stranger to me.

I welcome the guest with utmost delight;

For I know it has come to give me respite.

An air of happiness fills the space;

My home now seems, a better place!

Have you any clue who this visitor could be?

Yes!its Ramadhan,the month of mercy.

The pious and righteous can't await its arrival;

Others seem to greet it, with waves of denial.

For Allah(SWT) we fast from dawn to dusk;

For Him our breath is the fragrance of musk.

The muslims who pray and fast with zest;

Are aware of the rewards of this month manifest.

Throughout this month we weep and repent;

Now is the time to strongly lament.

And those who shun this sacred month;

on the Day of Reckoning will face the brunt.

In the last ten nights,hides the Night of Decree;

Allah(SWT) then awaits for his slaves to plea.

The angels descend with Gabriel(AS) in the lead;

To check on the steadfast and record every deed.

A feeling of grief now fills my heart;

As the month of Ramadhan will soon depart.

So lets make a start and worship Him alone;

Now that the worth of this month is known.

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind

A blessed month is casting its shadow upon us

A night of this month is better than a thousand months

Bear with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman

It’s a continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.

Glory be to Allah who sent Ramadan as a mercy to mankind

Its a purification of our soul, our heart, and our mind

With the most sincere devotion and love we fast

To be cleansed and free from sins of the past

Glorified is He, who choseth this holy month,

To test our sabr and fill our hearts with warmth

Of his Divine Light, His blessings shall glow,

The Seer of the unseen, all He does know

Ya Allah! For thee, let my breath be more pleasant than musk

Ya Allah! For thee, let me be thankful when day turns to dusk

My thoughts and heart are purified, my eyes truly see…

This blessed month, the month of spiritual rhapsody!

Ya Allah! For thee, my life I shall live!

Ya Allah! For thee, my soul I shall give!

In the name of Allah, the most Merciful, the most Kind,

Praise be to Allah, who sent Ramadan as a gift to mankind

I first saw light

my eyes blinked and opened

within your womb

In pain and distress

I entered life

You touched death

when I took my first breath

So small

I could lie, squirming and stretching

upon your gentle hand

Through tiredness and concern

I grew and learned

I found safety on your lap

a love that never fades

In later years I stood

and challenged you

rejecting your authority

But I returned.

where else to go

but to the one who knows me so well

Here I am again

a mother now

and you are gone

Your memory shines in my mind

I speak to mind

as you did to me

Arms outstretched

to collect broken fallen life

a haven

eagerly awaited

A lap, on which to rest

as I found comfort in you

Now I close my eyes

and feel your loving arms

hold me tight

Every word, kiss and kindness

is never lost

it shines in my being

and reflects onto mine.

It is not usually until we grow up and have children of our own that we truly appreciate the love and nurturing we received at the hands of our mothers. With all this in mind, i have dedicated this poem to my mum who contributed so much to what I am today, and who also provided many fields for my learning. Even though I am now grown with children of my own, she cares about me and offers me a love that has no conditions.

Here I am at last

I knew this day would come

My new home for a time

'til the trumpet shall blow

and once again I stand

upon an earth renewed

Dark and still

I wait

Time has gone

Asking my lord for refuge

As I did in days gone by

The call will go on

Long after I've gone

What did I leave behind?

Was I a carrier of light or a player of dreams?

Whose feet walk above me now?

Where do they go? From whence do they come?

Do they carry on the work

Or waste themselves in illusions?

Death, the doorway is ever near

Do they not think of the day?

They shall be like me

Locked in a tomb

Awaiting life

The life that never ends?