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History of prayer beads/rosary/TASBEEH beads
Before we explore the meaning of TASBEEH in the light
of the Quran, let us go through some history of prayer
beads. The use of prayer beads originated in ancient India
with the Hindus. In India, sandstone representations have
been found which date back to 185 BC, showing people holding
prayer beads. Most of the scholars agree that the use of
prayer beads had become widespread in 8th century BC in
ancient India.
Around 500 BC, Buddhism was born in India, which adopted the
Hindu practice of using Mala for repeating mantras.
Although no definitive date is known but most scholars agree
that Muslim traders and explorers brought the tradition of
bead prayers from Buddhism to Islam. European Christians
began using bead prayers around 7th century AD.
The meaning of TASBEEH
Now, let us see the meanings of word TASBEEH from
nowhere else but within the Quran. I shall refer to existing
prevalent translations:
See the following two verses which contain the word "YASBIHOON".
The meaning of this word has been underlined.
021.033
YUSUFALI: It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and
the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim
along, each in its rounded course.
PICKTHAL: And He it is Who created the night and the day,
and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an
orbit.
SHAKIR: And He it is Who created the night and the day and
the sun and the moon; all (orbs) travel along swiftly
in their celestial spheres.
036.040
YUSUFALI: It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the
Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just)
swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).
PICKTHAL: It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor
doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in
an orbit.
SHAKIR: Neither is it allowable to the sun that it should
overtake the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day; and
all float on in a sphere.
See the following two verses in which the word "SABHAN"
has been used:
079.003
YUSUFALI: And by those who glide along (on errands of
mercy),
PICKTHAL: By the lone stars floating,
SHAKIR: And by those who float in space,
073.007
YUSUFALI: True, there is for thee by day prolonged
occupation with ordinary duties:
PICKTHAL: Lo! thou hast by day a chain of business.
SHAKIR: Surely you have in the day time a long occupation.
From the above verses, we see the following meanings of
TASBEEH:
As a verb:
-To swim
-To float
-To travel along swiftly
-To glide along
-To swim along
As
a noun:
-Duties
-Business
-Occupation
From the above, we can see that
[TASBEEH means to carry out duties swiftly and
expeditiously]. [Allah's TASBEEH, means to carry out
duties assigned by Allah swiftly and expeditiously]. [SUBHANALLA,
means to come to Allah (and Allah's way) quickly and
swiftly]
Keep these meanings in your mind and see the following
verses:
057.001
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth,- does TASBEEH
of Allah: for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
059.024
He is Allah, the Creator, the Evolver, the Bestower of Forms
(or Colours). To Him belong the Most Beautiful Names:
whatever is in the heavens and on earth, does His TASBEEH:
and He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
061.001
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, does TASBEEH
of Allah: for He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
062.001
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, does TASBEEH
of Allah,- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Exalted in
Might, the Wise.
064.001
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, does TASBEEH
of Allah: to Him belongs dominion, and to Him
belongs praise: and He has power over all things.
Now think,
Is
whatever in the heavens and on earth, having prayer beads in
their hand and uttering names of Allah?
OR
Is
whatever in the heavens or on earth, doing expeditiously the
duties that Allah assigned to them?
I
hope you would have known by now that TASBEEH does
not mean uttering Allah's name on the prayer beads but
TASBEEH means, doing the duties assigned by Allah
swiftly and expeditiously. TASBEEH is not saying
something on prayer beads but doing what Allah has asked us
to do
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