Islamic Subha

 
 

Called subha, from the Arabic to praise, the Muslim rosary has 99 beads, one for each name of Allah found in the Koran. It is believed that whoever recites these 99 names—as well as the phrase Glory to Allah on the long bead known as the imam or leader bead—will get into heaven. The subha is strung with markers after the 33rd and 66th beads.

Islamic subha strung with 99 Turkish rosewood beads
Enlarge Islamic subha strung with 99 handmade beads, imam and tassel composed of Turkish rosewood. Vessel-shaped markers are strung after the 33rd and 66th beads.

All kinds of stones are used in the making of these prayer beads, but the most beloved, says Lois Sherr Dubin in her book, The History of Beads: From 100,000 B.C. to the Present, are from date pits that come from the sacred pilgrimage city of Mecca. Prayer beads are typically sold near places of worship, and Islamic subhas are no exception. You'll find vendors stationed outside mosques.

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas
Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas

Dharma Beads: Making and Using Your Own Buddhist Malas

Joanna Arettam (2000) Journey Editions; Tuttle Publishing

The practice of meditating with Buddhist malas has been a tradition for thousands of years. With so many people searching for spiritual expression and Buddhism being so popular, its no wonder that a rosary from a 2500 year-old religion has become the hottest trend in contemporary culture. Dharma Beads looks beyond just the hip aspect of wearing Buddhist malas and presents a thoughtful presentation of authentic Tibetan mala traditions and customs. Whatever your spiritual tradition, you can use malas to help you create and maintain a state of quiet reflection: a cloister of the mind.

In this book you'll find fully illustrated easy-to-follow instructions to make three 27-bead malas, a brief history of the use of beads for meditation and prayer around the world, the story of the development of malas in Buddhist tradition, simple suggestions for beginning a spiritual practice using your malas, and color photographs from around the world.