There is something quietly profound about the moment your fingers settle around a string of beads — a pause before the world rushes in. Whether it is a smooth strand of amethyst, cool lapis lazuli, or warm amber, the tasbih has been a companion to contemplative practice for over a thousand years.

To use a 99 bead tasbih for dhikr, hold it in your right hand and begin at the bead immediately after the imam (the larger marker or tassel bead). Move one bead at a time through your fingers and recite SubhanAllah (Glory be to God) 33 times, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest) 33 times — completing one full round of 99 remembrances. Most 99 bead tasbihs include two smaller divider beads after every 33 beads, making it easy to know when to move to the next phrase.

What Exactly Is a Tasbih — and Why 99 Beads?

The word tasbih (also spelled tasbeeh or the Turkish tesbih) comes from the Arabic root meaning to glorify or exalt. In Greek and Mediterranean culture, the same concept appears in the komboli — a string of beads used to calm and centre the mind. In South Asian Buddhist and Hindu traditions, a similar strand called a mala serves the same rhythmic, meditative function.

The number 99 reflects the 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul-Husna) — a deeply rooted tradition in Islamic theology. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is reported in hadith (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim) to have said: “Allah has ninety-nine names, one hundred minus one. Whoever preserves them will enter Paradise.”

A tasbih with 99 beads allows a practitioner to complete the entire post-prayer dhikr — 33 SubhanAllah, 33 Alhamdulillah, 33 Allahu Akbar — in a single uninterrupted round, rather than cycling through a shorter 33-bead strand three times. For many people, this unbroken flow deepens concentration and makes the practice feel more cohesive.

You can explore our full range of handcrafted prayer beads in the tasbih collection, including gemstone strands made from natural materials with genuine spiritual heritage.

How to Hold and Move the Beads: Step by Step

The physical practice of dhikr with a tasbih is gentle and intuitive. Here is how to begin:

Step 1 — Find Your Starting Point

Every tasbih has an imam bead — a larger or differently shaped bead that marks the beginning and end of the strand. It is often accompanied by a tassel or decorative pendant. This bead is not counted. Begin with the first bead immediately after the imam bead.

Step 2 — Hold the Strand Correctly

Rest the tasbih across your palm or between your thumb and index finger of the right hand. With each recitation, use your thumb to gently push one bead forward. There is no rush — the rhythm is yours to find. Some people prefer to let the beads hang and pull them one by one; others hold the strand loosely and nudge each bead with a rolling motion.

Step 3 — Recite the Three Phrases

Work through the three groups of 33 beads as follows:

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• Beads 1–33: SubhanAllah — “Glory be to God”
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• Beads 34–66: Alhamdulillah — “All praise and thanks be to God”
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• Beads 67–99: Allahu Akbar — “God is the Greatest”
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On many 99 bead tasbihs, a small separator bead marks the transition between each group. When your fingers reach this divider, it is your signal to change to the next phrase. Some practitioners then conclude with La ilaha illallah (There is no god but God) once, as the hundredth remembrance.

Step 4 — Return to the Imam Bead

When you reach the imam bead again, your round is complete. You may pause here, offer a personal du‘a (supplication), or simply sit in stillness before continuing with your day.

When Is the Best Time to Perform Dhikr with a Tasbih?

The most established time for tasbih dhikr is immediately after the five daily prayers — particularly after Fajr (dawn prayer) and Maghrib (sunset prayer), which hold special spiritual significance in many traditions. However, dhikr is not restricted to formal prayer times. Many Muslims carry their tasbih throughout the day and use it during commutes, quiet moments, or before sleep.

In the Ottoman and Turkish tesbih tradition, the beads were also used outside of formal religious practice — as a tool for mindfulness, calm, and focus. This crossover between the sacred and the everyday is something we deeply appreciate, and it is part of why a well-crafted tasbih deserves to be made from materials as beautiful as the intention behind its use.

Does the Material of the Tasbih Matter?

From a strictly theological perspective, any clean material is permissible for counting dhikr — the intention and sincerity of the heart are what matter most. But from a human perspective, the material absolutely shapes the experience.

Gemstone tasbih beads carry an additional layer of meaning. Amethyst, with its deep violet hue, has been valued since antiquity for its grounding, calming properties — in many traditions it is associated with clarity of mind, making it a natural companion for contemplative practice. Lapis lazuli, the rich blue stone flecked with gold, was prized in ancient Islamic art and architecture, and continues to carry an almost regal spiritual weight. Obsidian, a volcanic glass, is said to absorb negative