Prayer Beads

[koster]

I received a set of Islamic prayer beads as a gift.
There are 39 beads, but I have found out that 33 beads is usual. Why do these ones have 39?
Thanks!

[Tilly2]

Perhaps you have to say extra prayers with that one.

[DTCwordfan]

because you are a heathen and need the extra Allah input.

[gingejbee]

Cheap copy from China?

[Mamyalynne]

Prayer beads come in many combinations - The Chaplet of St Anthony Rosary for example has 39 beads.

[DTCwordfan]

seriously, it ain't Islam.....it could be Bhuddist, a mala or, likely it is a 'Chaplet of St Anthony.' Each "decade" (Triad actually) of 13 beads is one Our-Father, one Hail-Mary and one Glory-Be.

[Mamyalynne]

Such a chaplet would usually carry a Crucifix or similar Christian symbol, you'd not be thinking it was Islamic really.

[TheChair]

Some info about various types of prayer beads here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_beads

[chanel5]

I think what you have is a set of Catholic prayer beads, similar to a rosary. The rosary has three decades, each with 13 prayers. This could be what you have been given.

[Jackdaw33]

Are these not just worry beads? Arabs fiddle with them to relieve stress, no religious significance.

[koster]

Jackdaw - how can I tell the difference between worry beads and prayer beads?

[jennyjoan]

just say another 5 prayers for your dearest and only