✱ the ninety-nine

The tasbīḥ as an object: ninety-nine beads in three rounds of thirty-three, told through the fingers. Press the hundredth and the tall imam bead kindles — the Name beyond the ninety-nine, withheld.

Both traditions count their Names and keep one back. The 72, the 42, and behind them four letters never pronounced — and here, ninety-nine told out loud and one that is not.