Gemstones in Islam

Stones have had a place in different religions for thousands of years. The Bible refers to the twelve stones set in the breastplate of the high priest symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel. In the Book of Revelations, there is a mention of twelve stones as the foundation stones of the wall of New Jerusalem. Though the symbolism of each stone is open to speculation, churches use most of these stones in one form or another, since the inception of Christianity. Precious stones adorn the tiara and miter of the Pope and Bishops as well as the shrines and icons found in Christian churches.

Temples and places of worship of all religions were and still are adorned with stones, as signified particularly by Moonstones in India, Malachite and Azurite in Egypt, Agates in Rome, Jade in China, Crystal in Japan, Turquoise in Persia (Iran), Amethyst wherever Christianity developed in Europe, and the Black Stone of al-Ka’bah, the House of Allah on earth, in Makkah. The Prophet, as well as the Infallible embraced the stone and so were the companions advised to do the same. The advice to Muslims is to salute the Black Stone as they pass by, as the sacred stone will register the salutation and witness on the Final Day. The stone is therefore, conscious.

In Islam, a tradition states that Ali (AS) used to wear four rings on his hand – Opal (Yaqut) for beauty and dignity; Turquoise (Feruz) for obtaining divine help and victory; Hadid Thin for strength, and Carnelian (Aqiq) to protect himself from enemies and all types of misfortunes. The religion Islam has strongly recommended its followers to wear rings made from different stones, as a way to increase faith, piety, and endurance. The stones of Aqiq, Feruz and so forth have been specifically recommended by the Prophet (S) himself to wear them at all times, and especially during prayer.

Stones have unlimited practical and medicinal properties. Besides Muslim scholars, many other researchers in other religions wrote of stones as a form of medicine. The ecclesiastical writers compiled the first major treatises on healing with stones. The use of stones for healing was carried out in different ways. At times, the mere presence of the stone was sufficient to affect a cure. At other times, the stone afflicted part of the body and sometimes the stone was powdered and eaten.

In any case, the theory follows that gemstones carry vibrational rates. By placing these higher vibrations of fields of energy within the human energy system – his or her energy’s vibrational rate and information within the energy also, change for the better. They are also wonderful resonators. Often the effects are indirect but very potent. Other times, the effects are very specific, direct and repeatable. The vibrational qualities of the gemstones can further help achieve balance and awareness on physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels (Morse, 2000), quoting Alice, (1996) Of course, different stones have been reported to have different effects on the person wearing it, and the persons nearby.

The energy of each such element creates an energy exchange when touching or in close proximity to the body. The above therapy and prevention of illness works through two methods. The spherical gemstone is a living container of sound and light energy that can transmit to other living beings by entering the energy field. Each gemstone has a unique rhythm, character, substance and magnetism, and so has different therapeutic properties. Therefore, wearing Aqiq, Feruz rings do not only qualify Muslims as being among the pious group, their physical and spiritual benefits create within us powerful and highly charged energy. Undoubtedly, most of these holy stones have within them pure and unadulterated info-energy as well.

Further, because these gemstones have the ability to assimilate and neutralize all the low-charge energy and unfavorable information within the energy we make contact with; the prescription to Muslims to wear such stones is therefore a medical necessity. We often collect stress and other’s emotions throughout the day, and this blocked nature of our energy, if left untreated, can cause pain or chronic illness (Morse, 2000). The stones help one maintain a free flowing field of energy. The powerful beads mentioned later, the ones used in research often contain such stones within them, and people wear them as necklaces. In many instances, during an affliction, the Aqiq stone seems to take in, absorb into itself most of the negative energy in the environment, and even break into pieces. Such stones are mot used again as their powerful nature have been utilized.

Finally, and as we shall observe, it is possible that specific gemstones have specific health benefits because each stone has its own definite reaction on the person’s specific energy center. For example, the relationship between Turquoise and fertility is explored later. As noted in earlier sections, Allah, the Most High Himself, may have also established this healthy relationship. For instance:

Aqiq (stone) protects Shia from unjust rulers and from everything else, which causes fear.

(Amali of Tusi 1:36)

This means that the stone recognizes a Shia of Ali and produces strong energy fields that block adulterated nearby sources of energy. This is why Muslims have been advised to keep their rings in one place at all times when they are not wearing the stones – this way the energy that is absorbed and released from such stones surround themselves within the stone.

Islamic Gemstones

Carnelian, Aqiq is the most important stone in Islam and the most favorite stone of the Prophet, the Infallible and his followers. Besides the stone being the first stone to affirm the existence and unity of Allah (SWT), it also confessed the Prophethood of Muhammad (S), the caliphate of Ali (AS), and confirmed Paradise for the friends and followers of Ali (AS). There are also mountains made of carnelian in Paradise that shed the palaces of the Prophet (S). The carnelian, Aqiq stone has a sincere love for Allah and the Ahlul-Bayt (AS). As we now know, Carnelian and all other stones constantly glorify Allah and recite the formula – There is no God, but Allah! As we now are fully aware, stones are living and they conversed with the Prophet (S).

Carnelian has a sincere love of Ali because the creation of this stone was from the energy of Ali emanating from his blessed face. The Prophet has said that Allah once remarked:

O Ahmad, I created you and Ali from My own light, and I created these two mountains from the light of Ali’s face.

This stone has several healing properties in relation to the human energy. In Islam, whosoever wears the Aqiq stone signifies and finalizes his belief in Islam and is amongst the groups of pious people. Moreover, the info-energy of Aqiq also includes, besides others, its confession and confirmation of divine unity and relationship with Allah (SWT), the Most High, and Most Sublime.

The Carnelian stone balances creativity and mental processes. Historically, people used the stone to pull excess fever out through the feet. According to gemstone science, its color allows one to relax and helps to adopt a more positive outlook at life. This stone protects one from evil and unsteady energy, elevates the spirit, grounds low-charge and blocked fields of energy, thus assisting concentration and mental focus by clearing the mind and focusing one's thoughts - no wonder why the stone has been recommended to be worn during prayer.

Carnelian enhances mental clarity and positive emotions, promoting a brighter outlook and an appreciation for life lessons by teaching the individual to balance his or her higher and lower energy. According to the Gemisphere Luminary Therapy Guide (Katz and Hall, 1997), because of Carnelian’s stirring and dislodging action, the stone is an excellent gemstone to use in preparation for and during an energy-cleansing program. The stone also releases sorrow, envy, fear, apathy, and rage, all at the info-energy level, which then translates in physical results.

Jewelry Mae (jewelrymae.com) writes the following in her description of the carnelian stone:

Carnelian is a hard and tough translucent form of chalcedony that usually occurs in a uniform color of red, orange or red-brown.

Known thousands of years before the birth of Christ, carnelian has been used extensively in jewelry ever since, particularly for signet rings, seals, cameos and scarabs because of its hardness and rich orange-red color.

Engraved with Arabic characters, it protected the wearer from the tricks of the envious. Throughout the east, envy is feared, for it is believed that it will cause the envied to lose his possessions.

It was the favorite stone of the Prophet Mohammed and verses from the Koran have been found engraved on this stone. Carnelian is said to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision. It provides perceptiveness, awakens one’s inherent talents and skills, and protects against fear and rage. It helps to alleviate sorrow and can be used to dispel apathy and indolence. Carnelian is linked with emotional warmth, sociability, creativity, individuality, memory, and appreciation of nature, harmony, courage, happiness, and self- esteem …

It also can aid reproduction, sexuality, menstrual cramps, lungs, asthma and arthritis. Carnelian has been used in the treatment of neuralgia and rheumatism, gall and kidney stones, pollen allergies and colds, and can aid in the relief of disorders of the spine, spleen and pancreas. It has also been effective in the treatment of infection, fever, blood poisoning and muscle spasms.

A worthy note; the faithful believers are identified from wearing this stone and in ones prayer. He, the Almighty has said to Muhammad (S):

… I swear by My magnificence that I have created these two mountains (of carnelian) to be a sign that is used to identify the believers. Moreover, I swore on Myself that I make it Haram to send to hell those who wear the AQEEQ ring on their hands and follow Ali.

The Messenger of Allah (S) once told Ali bin Abi Talib (AS) to wear an AQEEQ (agate) ring on his right hand because those who wear it have a quality that Allah has given to those who are close to Him.

In reports, Ali (AS) once asked the Prophet (S) as to who are those who are close to Allah? The Prophet (S) replied: Jibraeel, Mikaeel, and the angels between them. Ali (AS) asked; what kind of Aqiq should I wear? The Prophet (S) replied:

Choose the red Aqiq because the mountain of the red Aqiq testified that there is no god but Allah, that I am the Messenger of Allah, that you are my heir, that your sons are the Imams, your Shia will go to Paradise, and that those who hate them will go to Hell.

(Manaqib al-Khawarezmi 233, Manaqib al-Mughazeli 281, al-Umadah 378)

Opal, Yaqut is another stone that Muslims have been wearing throughout centuries. Gemstone therapists use opal to see all the possibilities in a situation and find it very freeing when blocked in a situation. Gemstone science has even attributed opal stone for protection against anger and for calming one’s nerves. The stone also aids inner beauty, faithfulness, and eyesight. During the middle ages, opals helped women to relax during childbirth. Once again, it is highly possible that the info-energy and vibrant nature of this energy within the stone helps stabilize and balance the blocked, unstable and painful info-energy produced during childbirth because of pain. Suffice to say that menstruating women should wear this stone to relieve the pain and sufferings of menstruation.

Turquoise, Feruz is a stone favored by many Muslims, and native people around the world have used it for centuries. People have used it for protection, healing, good luck, and longevity. It is enormously absorptive. The Turquoise stone will grow pale on a sickly person and recover its color when returned to a healthy person. This is clear evidence that the stone, amongst other things, does play a major role in the health and spiritual growth of a person, in particular balancing one’s energy fields, neutralizing blocked energy, and makes it difficult the entry of adulterated energy from nearby sources.

Ancient people have employed this stone to promote meditation. According to Poole (1999), this stone is highly valuable for its ability to dissipate negativity from outside sources and aids in friendship, mental relaxation, and the respiratory system.

Jewelry Mae (jewelrymae.com) writes the following in her description of the Turquoise stone:

The stone is believed to enhance creative expression, peace of mind, communication, friendship and loyalty. Turquoise is considered to be generally healing and fostering of empathy, positive thinking and sensitivity. It connects us with all life. In ancient times, it was used to heal eye problems, especially cataracts, and in medieval times, it was used as a cure for malaria and heart complaints.

It is still considered by many to be a master healer and is said to help in the absorption of nutrients, strengthening the entire anatomy and stimulating tissue regeneration. It is particularly good for the throat and lungs and, because of its high copper content, is a conductor of healing and good for rheumatism and arthritis.

al-Sadiq (AS.) reportedly advised Mufaddhal about wearing a ring encrusted with the Feruz stone and said:

It gives strength to the eyes, gives relief to the chest and increases the strength of the heart.

Many such stones are linked to good health. The Infallible (AS) further prescribed such stones as the Feruz to solve the problems of infertility. It is probable that the stone may lead to normalization of proceedings that result in fertility in men and women. The first Chakra (energy center) is in the sexual organs at the base of the spine and the energy released from this stone may have a direct effect on this energy center that is associated with increased sexual performance and reproduction.