'Pure Work Of Art': UAE Artisans On Crafting Prayer Beads That Can Cost Up To Dh100,000

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Published: Sat 9 Dec 2023, 6:00 AM

Among a few things that don't have a set price, Misbaha (rosaries) is one of them in the UAE. You can get a simple one for as low as Dh50, making it affordable for many people.

On the other hand, if you're looking for something special and are willing to spend more, the price range for these prayer beads knows no bounds. There are rosaries that can cost thousands of dirhams.

A rosary, also known as misbaha, subha, tusbah and tasbeeh, is prayer beads which is often used by Muslims for the recitation of prayers, the dhikr, and to glorify Allah. In the Islamic tradition, a set of 99 beads symbolizes the names of Allah.

Misbaha, comprising three sections of 33 beads, is associated with a hadith advising Muslims to recite 'Subhanallah' (glorious is God) 33 times, 'Alhamdulillah' (all praise be to God) 33 times, and 'Allahu Akbar' (God is great) 34 times after daily prayers.

Khaleej Times explored shops at the Blue Market in Sharjah, where thousands of these rosaries hang, of various sizes and shapes, made out of different types of stones. Every prayer bead has a story behind it.

Towhid Chowdhury, owner of Al Murjaan Al Zahry Novelty and Gifts LLC, has been in this industry for the last 33 years. He is a craftsman and seller of rosaries.

“These rosaries are used by Emiratis in abundance. We can see many holding and doing Dhikr, while they walk or work,” said Chowdhury.

Rosaries are crafted from various materials, including wood, precious stones, ivory, pearls and other natural materials.“However, the rosaries most in demand are the ones made of amber stones,” said Chowdhury.

For those seeking a more personal touch, many shops offer custom-made rosaries.

Kursi, and other prayers.“We had many clients coming to us with their specifications. Some prefer precious stones like emerald, turqouise, rubies, boliete, eudialyte, feldspar, agate and even diamonds,”

“But these rosaries made of stones are tailored on special request and customisation. The price of these can vary based on the stone, size, shape, carvings, which can go up to Dh 100,000,” said Chowdhury.

From a stone to beads

A normal rosary takes about two days to make. However, detailed ones take about two months. Once an order is placed, the makers have to source the stones from different parts of the world.

“Once we receive stones, they are then carved to the desired size and given a shape – either round or oval,” said Chowdhury adding that a few stones which are not rigid break, making them work repetitively.

“After shaping the beads to their precise sizes, they are then drilled and then polished. If a client wants detailing of craving, it takes a few days time,” said Chowdhury adding that a few clients also request for 99 names of Allah to be ingrained on the 99 beads.

“Some also prefer designs in gold writing, which further increases the price tag,” said Chowdhury.

Made of corals

Apart from stones and wood, rosaries are also made out of coral stones. Once that lied below the sea bed in the Arabian Gulf, is seen at many homes across the country.“Making a prayer beads out of corals is a very difficult task because the corals are not rigid and strong,” said Ismail Saleem, a craftsman at a store in Blue Market.

“Corals come in colours that sometimes people have not seen. And such corals are preferred for rosaries and ornaments,” said Saleem.

From handmade to automation

A few years back, these rosaries were rubbed by hand and the entire process used to be handmade. The stones and the wood were rubbed with sand paper and other materials to get in to shape.

“The beauty of a handmade rosaries are something that cannot be compared. It was a pure work of art, which is not done any more.”

ALSO READ:

MENAFN08122023000049011007ID1107563055