Questionable practices by a Khateeb
28-1-2003 | IslamWeb
Question:
Recently I attended a Juma Prayer in which I noticed some practices that some scholar considers a Bidah (to avoid) and some other scholars (including those whom this young Khateeb follows consider as allowable). The Practices were as follows:1- When the Khateeb made a supplication, he wiped his face with both of his hands. I asked him the reason, he told me it is a practice that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) taught Imam Ali (R). 2- He had beads by which he was making Dhikr (possiblyto keep the count of his tasbeeh). I told him this is apractice borrowed from Christianity and I asked for evidence and its basis in Islam and I was told this is a "Good Bidah".MashaAllah the Khateeb seemed very elequent and knowledgeable, and I believe his knowledge in Deen is better than me.However, To make sure about the authenticity of the above practices, would you be kind enough to send me the correct rulings for the above mentioned cases supported by Isnad taken from Sunnah and Quran.I would greatly appreciate if you provide me with the references you use with your proof according to SUNNAH AND QURAN.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
There are some weak Ahadith that state wiping one's face after making Du'a. But Ibn Hajar 
(a great scholar of Hadith) consider these Ahadith together an evidence that such an act is good. Among these Ahadith what At-Tirmithi reported in his 'Sunan' that ‘the Prophet used to wipe his face with hands after making Du'a before putting them (his hands) down.’
Aslo, Abu Dawood and Ibn Majah reported from Ibn Abbas 
that the Prophet said: “And when you finish (your Du'a) wipe your face with them (your hands).”
However, we did not find any text reported from the Prophet about wiping one's face after the Imam's Du'a in Friday sermon (Kahutba).
It should be mentioned here that wiping the face is an act that follows raising the hands in Du'a and the Sunnah is that the Imam does not raise his hands in Du'a during Khutba.
Muslim reported that 'Umarah saw Bishr Ibn Marwan on the pulpit raising his hands and said: Allah, disfigure these hands! I have seen Allah's Messenger gesture no more than this with his hands, and he pointed with his forefinger.'
So, it is more appropriate for the Imam delivering the Khutba not to wipe his face after Du'a.
As for using beads (Tasbeeh) it is lawful and for more details about that please read Fatwa: 84295.
Allah knows best.