A misbaha is a tool used to perform azkar, an Islamic ritual praising the 99 names of Allah and glorifying God after regular prayer. My misbaha was given to me by my grandfather two months before he died. A misbaha can be made of wooden beads, but also of olive seeds, ivory, amber, pearls, metal or plastic. A misbaha usually contains 99 beads (corresponding to the 99 Names of Allah), or sometimes 33 beads (in which case one must cycle through them 3 times to equal 99). In azkar, we move each bead on the misbaha as we pronounce one of the 99 names of Allah. My grandfather bought my misbaha on a trip to Mecca. My misbaha is made of gold plastic and has two white beads. I use it every day for azkar. I also use it for dua, a ritual I perform to honor the memory of my grandfather. I chose the misbaha because every time I use it, it makes me feel peaceful and reminds me of my grandfather.

– Omar Ammar

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