There is No God but Allah by Zahraa Al Hassani

This intimate close-up captures a set of prayer beads, serving as a profound symbol of devotion and silent remembrance. By focusing on the tactile details of the beads, the photographer invites the viewer into a moment of spiritual reflection, drawing inspiration from the concept of the Almighty. The composition is deliberate and serene, utilizing a shallow depth of field to isolate the subject against a soft background. This image is award-worthy for its ability to transform a simple, sacred object into a powerful visual narrative that communicates deep personal faith and cultural identity through elegant, minimalist framing.

There is No God but Allah by Zahraa Al Hassani
Nikon D7100 with Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II
Exposure 1/60sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 300mm
Copyright Β© Zahraa Al Hassani
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Zahraa Al Hassani

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Baghdad, Iraq, Zahraa Al Hassani balances a successful career as a senior graphic designer at Zain Telecommunications with a dedicated pursuit of fine art photography. A graduate of the University of Technology Baghdad, she leverages her extensive design background to refine her photographic perspective, often creating visuals to enhance her professional projects. Having transitioned from early work with Sony equipment to her current Nikon system, she remains committed to the principles of purist photography. Zahraa continues to document her world while raising her family in Baghdad.

Profile View Full Profile
13.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
297/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
12,976 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 19, 2015
68.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Baghdad, Iraq

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Islamic Photography
Spiritual Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.0/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,287/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
12,976/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.0/5 points
297/500 Submission
Jury Score: 68.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.0/20
Total Award Score: 81.0/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The beads hang. A weight suspended in light. I feel my own breath catch, watching the grain of the wood. It’s not just devotion; it’s the friction of time. The background dissolves into a soft, grey nothingness. It doesn’t demand attention. It waits. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a space for the soul to rest. I’ve never seen silence held so firmly in a frame. It’s enough.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Of the thousands of prayer bead shots I’ve reviewed, most are merely decorative. What separates this from the clutter is the specific tension in the thread’s fraying fibers. It’s a quiet, tactile honesty that anchors the spiritual weight. I’ll admit, the shallow depth of field initially felt too safe, but the way the light catches the worn texture makes me feel the weight of the prayer itself. It’s a small, enduring truth that’ll still matter in thirty years.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/60sec at f/5.6, 300mm. That’s a shaky proposition without a tripod, yet the focus holds. The D7100’s sensor isn't forgiving, but here, it’s adequate. I’m annoyed by the focal length; 300mm on a crop sensor creates unnecessary compression for a static object. It’s a tight, claustrophobic choice. Still, the isolation works. The technical execution is clean enough to let the subject breathe. It’s a precise argument for stillness. I’ve seen worse, but this actually holds up.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at these prayer beads and we aren't just seeing plastic or wood; we’re hearing the rhythm of a life lived in devotion. Zahraa listened to the silence before she clicked the shutter. It’s a portrait of a soul, captured in the worn texture of the beads. I feel a sudden, quiet ache in my chest when I trace their path. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to, again and again.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The shallow depth of field creates a necessary isolation, forcing the eye toward the rhythmic repetition of the beads. It’s a disciplined arrangement. The vertical alignment anchors the frame, providing a fulcrum that prevents the composition from drifting into mere sentimentality. I’ve found myself genuinely unsettled by the way the negative space swallows the periphery. It doesn't offer comfort; it demands an acknowledgment of the structural void. The frame holds because the geometry is absolute.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of the Count

We measure time in heartbeats, or in the slow drift of dust through a shaft of light. There is a rhythm to existence that requires no speech. To hold something in the handβ€”a stone, a seed, a string of beadsβ€”is to anchor the mind against the vast, indifferent cold.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of a Whisper

I found an old string of beads in the back of my junk drawer this morning, tangled up with a spare key and a dead battery. I haven't touched them in years, but as I pulled them free, my thumb naturally found the rhythm of the first few.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.

5 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Weight of GraniteHalf Dome, by Jens Hieke - Landscape Photography, Photo of the Day, Award Winning Photography, Photography Awards, Half DomePompano at Dawn, by Steve Hirsch - Sunrise Photography, Photography Awards, Photo of the Day, Landscape Photography, Fine Art PhotographySalt on the Skin