Post by yenilira on Nov 14, 2011 1:23:52 GMT 1
It is very often seen in Turkey - the Tesbih.
Men particularly carry them – they finger the string of beads while drinking tea and chatting. Originally prayer beads, Muslims use the Tesbih to recite Allah’s name with every bead that passes through their fingers. Nowadays, Tesbihs are also used as accessories, decoration or, in most cases, just to keep the hands busy.
www.tesbihcibaba.com.tr/
www.prayerbeadstore.com/?gclid=CO-phPDGtKwCFQINfAodrRj-og
“The Tesbih is used in three ways: in religion, in fashion and as a hobby”, says my Arkadas ('Friend' in Turkish) Sinan Maþlak. “In Turkey I estimate that a small number of people who own a Tesbih, use it as a fashion accessory, a slightly larger number uses it for religious purposes and the majority has a Tesbih just to occupy the hands.”
Maþlak owns a jewellery shop in the Alanyum shopping centre in Alanya and is also distributor of one of the largest Tesbih producers in Turkey: 'Tesbihci Baba', which means ‘Father of the Tesbih’.
Unsuspecting tourists may think Tesbihs are exclusive necklaces, displayed amongst other jewellery. Maþlak sells Tesbih of various types and in various price categories. “You can buy a Tesbih for 20 TL, but also for 20,000 TL”, according to Maþlak, the price largely depends on the material of the beads. This can vary from plastic to pure gold. The material depends on the buyer’s budget, or, according to Maþlak, maybe it depends more on the buyer’s personality. “Just as you can tell someone’s character from the type of watch they buy, you can also tell someone’s personality from their Tesbih”.
Like a gold Rolex reveals a showy personality, does a golden Tesbih indicate a macho owner who likes to show off his possessions? “Exactly”, says Maþlak who uses a Tesbih with simple black beads.
He belongs to the minority who uses the Tesbih what it is meant for: as prayer beads.
The word Tesbih originates from the word Süpah, which means ‘reciting the glory of God’. It is an aid to keep count of prayers. In the beginning of the Islam, believers used small stones which later developed into a Tesbih. The Christian pilgrims probably adopted the Tesbih from the Muslims and introduced the rosary in Christianity.
A Tesbih is composed of 99 beads, representing the 99 names of Allah. The string is used to praise Allah as follows: 33 times the word ‘Süpannalah’ is spoken, which means ‘Praise be to God’. Then ‘Elhümdullilah’ is repeated 33 times, meaning ‘Glory be to God’. For the final 33 beads ‘Allahu Akbar’ is repeated which means ‘God is most great’.
After these repetitions a final prayer is said, bringing the total number of prayers to one hundred. In the Koran the Prophet Mohammed said: ‘Whoever completes a hundred, by telling these beads, all his sins shall be forgiven.’
Some Tesbihs have 33 beads. They are used in the same way but are more manageable.
Numbers are important in the Islam and also when using the Tesbih. If you have concerns, for example, the hoca* may command you to pray a complete Tesbih hundred times a day. Counting the beads acts as meditation, teaching one to be patient and clear one’s head of worries.
It is remarkable that the Tesbih is only used by men – in public. I asked Sinan if women use the rosary in public in the same way. “No”, he laughed, “unless you could find a female kabadayý.”**
The reason is not clear.
We hear that in some Turkish villages women attach a Tesbih to their clothes. But they don’t finger the beads the same way as men do.
Sinan predicts a different future for the Tesbih. “Already spotted in Istanbul: the Tesbih worn as necklace. I’m sure this will be a huge trend soon.”
* (religious) teacher.
** tough, thug, hooligan.
YL.
Men particularly carry them – they finger the string of beads while drinking tea and chatting. Originally prayer beads, Muslims use the Tesbih to recite Allah’s name with every bead that passes through their fingers. Nowadays, Tesbihs are also used as accessories, decoration or, in most cases, just to keep the hands busy.
www.tesbihcibaba.com.tr/
www.prayerbeadstore.com/?gclid=CO-phPDGtKwCFQINfAodrRj-og
“The Tesbih is used in three ways: in religion, in fashion and as a hobby”, says my Arkadas ('Friend' in Turkish) Sinan Maþlak. “In Turkey I estimate that a small number of people who own a Tesbih, use it as a fashion accessory, a slightly larger number uses it for religious purposes and the majority has a Tesbih just to occupy the hands.”
Maþlak owns a jewellery shop in the Alanyum shopping centre in Alanya and is also distributor of one of the largest Tesbih producers in Turkey: 'Tesbihci Baba', which means ‘Father of the Tesbih’.
Unsuspecting tourists may think Tesbihs are exclusive necklaces, displayed amongst other jewellery. Maþlak sells Tesbih of various types and in various price categories. “You can buy a Tesbih for 20 TL, but also for 20,000 TL”, according to Maþlak, the price largely depends on the material of the beads. This can vary from plastic to pure gold. The material depends on the buyer’s budget, or, according to Maþlak, maybe it depends more on the buyer’s personality. “Just as you can tell someone’s character from the type of watch they buy, you can also tell someone’s personality from their Tesbih”.
Like a gold Rolex reveals a showy personality, does a golden Tesbih indicate a macho owner who likes to show off his possessions? “Exactly”, says Maþlak who uses a Tesbih with simple black beads.
He belongs to the minority who uses the Tesbih what it is meant for: as prayer beads.
The word Tesbih originates from the word Süpah, which means ‘reciting the glory of God’. It is an aid to keep count of prayers. In the beginning of the Islam, believers used small stones which later developed into a Tesbih. The Christian pilgrims probably adopted the Tesbih from the Muslims and introduced the rosary in Christianity.
A Tesbih is composed of 99 beads, representing the 99 names of Allah. The string is used to praise Allah as follows: 33 times the word ‘Süpannalah’ is spoken, which means ‘Praise be to God’. Then ‘Elhümdullilah’ is repeated 33 times, meaning ‘Glory be to God’. For the final 33 beads ‘Allahu Akbar’ is repeated which means ‘God is most great’.
After these repetitions a final prayer is said, bringing the total number of prayers to one hundred. In the Koran the Prophet Mohammed said: ‘Whoever completes a hundred, by telling these beads, all his sins shall be forgiven.’
Some Tesbihs have 33 beads. They are used in the same way but are more manageable.
Numbers are important in the Islam and also when using the Tesbih. If you have concerns, for example, the hoca* may command you to pray a complete Tesbih hundred times a day. Counting the beads acts as meditation, teaching one to be patient and clear one’s head of worries.
It is remarkable that the Tesbih is only used by men – in public. I asked Sinan if women use the rosary in public in the same way. “No”, he laughed, “unless you could find a female kabadayý.”**
The reason is not clear.
We hear that in some Turkish villages women attach a Tesbih to their clothes. But they don’t finger the beads the same way as men do.
Sinan predicts a different future for the Tesbih. “Already spotted in Istanbul: the Tesbih worn as necklace. I’m sure this will be a huge trend soon.”
* (religious) teacher.
** tough, thug, hooligan.
YL.