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The Healing Power of Prayer Beads
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By
Karima Burns, MH, ND
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11/04/2002
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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.
However, using a sibhah is not only helpful in keeping track of remembrances,
but can be healing as well, depending on which wood or stone has been used to
make the beads.
At
the Islamic Shopping Network many kinds of prayer beads are available from
Turquoise and Tiger Eye stone to Sandalwood and Rosewood beads. A search of
other sites reveals a number of sites dedicated to making custom stone beads for
all religions. A search of the local markets of the Middle East reveal an even
larger selection of sibhah.
And
just as using beads for prayer is a long-standing tradition, so is healing with
beads. Throughout history cultures have used gemstones and wood for healing. Dr.
Robert Frost, a physician in Basel, Switzerland, recently studied the scientific
properties of these gems and woods and created a method of testing woods and
gemstones that reveals their healing properties in scientific terms (Frost). In
his clinical work, Dr. Frost discovered that using the correct gemstone or wood
could reduce pain, prevent allergic reactions, improve coordination and even
increase muscle strength.
To
give some examples; Tiger-eye is traditionally used to enhance understanding and
strengthen belief. It is healing to the stomach area and is often used to assist
with problems of the kidney, pancreas, liver, small intestine or stomach. It has
also been found to have a calming effect on people who hold it.
Turquoise
keeps the feeling of unconditional love in one's heart and helps one feel more
connected with Allah. It also assists in the digestion of proteins and thus aids
digestion. Turquoise also helps draw out negative feelings such as envy or anger
from a person. It assists in healing ailments of the thyroid, throat, ears, neck
and respiratory system. It can also help to combat allergies or heart problems.
Beads
of amber can help lift the heaviness of burdens, amethyst can be spiritually
uplifting or heal the stomach or liver, and black onyx helps one to change bad
habits. There are many books and websites that speak about the healing power of
gems. Beware in your search, as some sites are mystical and foreboding. But
there are an equal number of scientific books and websites that offer
information on gems to the general public.
The
healing power of wooden prayer beads is often in their scent, which is released
and revived with usage. The scent of rosewood is traditionally used for nervous
tension, frigidity, and headaches. It also assists the immune system, helps to
fight viruses and regenerate cells. It is good for jet lag and skin
inflammations and has the ability to relax a person without making them drowsy.
Beads
made of sandalwood emit a scent that has been used for healing since the time of
the prophet. Sandalwood is an antidepressant, antiseptic, insecticidal, and
sedative wood. It can assist in the healing of cells and is used to assist the
immune system in any healing process or to prevent illness.
In
the Tafseer of Ibn Juzayy, it is said that the Prophet Mohammad said in a
message from Allah, “I am in my slaves opinion of Me and I am with him
when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I remember him in My
self.” For this reason and the reason of easy transport, prayer beads are a
popular gift from one Muslim to another. With a little more thought, this gift
can be physically uplifting as well as spiritually.
Sources:
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Gottleib,
Bill. “New Choices in Natural Healing.” Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale
Press.1995.
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Gulick,
Robert Jr. “Muhammad the Educator.” Lahore: Institute of Islamic Cultures.
1953. p.61.
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Frost,
Robert. “Gems and Woods.” Robertfrost.net. 2001.
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Hadith
Bukhari
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Tafseer
Ibn Juzayy
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Woodward,
Valerie Ann. “The Fragrant Mind.” Novato, California: New World Library.
1996.
Sources
for healing prayer beads:
Muslim
Source:
Unitarian
Sources:
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