How to Make Islamic Bracelets

Making an Islamic bracelet is a labor of piety

Members of the Muslim or Islamic faith are passionate about their prayer rituals, many of which include using a prayer bracelet to keep count of a desired number of times one should invoke the name of Allah. Also known as Masbaha or Tasbeh, prayer bead bracelets have been around since approximately the 9th Century, and while followers of Shariah (Islamic law) observe different rituals when using the bracelet, most agree there is no greater way to show true piety than by making one's own prayer bracelet and using it often.

Things You'll Need

• 100 beads with holes for threading
• String, cord or other medium
• Three "distinct" beads (optional)

Instructions

1. Make or purchase 100 beads. Some believe the best selection of prayer beads can be found on the Internet---many are imported from Damascus and other Islamic centers, and because they come from that region, they have special appeal. Historically, date seeds were most often used to make prayer beads, but you may make yours from any type of material you wish as long as you create 100 of them.

2. Choose a material for the cord onto which your beads will be strung. Leather, gold yarn and silk have been popular choices for Islamic prayer bracelets, but yours will be no less perfect if you select plastic, sturdy cord, twine or rope. Just be certain the stringing material you choose can be threaded through the holes in the beads.

3. Sit quietly and contemplate the blessings of Allah as you begin to thread beads onto the string. Saying prayers while making a religious object like an Islamic bracelet is a sacred duty and must be performed while you craft.

4. Once you have counted to 33 beads, either make a knot or add a specially shaped or distinct bead to the string to end section one. The first section of the bracelet is usually referred to as "SubhanAllah."

5. Continue to contemplate the holiness of Allah as you add a second group of 33 more beads to the string to complete the "Hamdullah" section. As in Step 3, feed a distinct bead onto the string or create a knot to keep it separate from the first and third sections.

6. Add the final 33 beads to the bracelet as you close the 99-bead circle with the addition of the final group of beads known as "Allahuakbar."

7. Place the third and final distinct bead (or simply a knot), and then add the 100th bead to mark the completion of a cycle of devotion.

8. Tie the 100-bead bracelet together but don't cut the cord or string holding the bracelet together. Instead, allow the cords or strings to dangle freely. According to Islamic belief, evil spirits are fearful of things that "dangle" so stay with tradition and, if the spirit moves you, add two beads or tassels on the ends as decorations.

9. Enjoy owning your handmade Islamic bracelet and remember it symbolizes the 99 names of Allah that you learned as a child---particularly when you invoke the name Allah when you touch the 100th bead to complete the circle of faith.

Resources

• Order beads from abroad from this site