Precious Stones

Agate
Agate is a semi-precious gemstone and belongs to the Chalcedony family
and can be distinguished only by its color and stripes. The word
慳gate� is derived from a Greek word which means 慼appy�. Agate is
available in a wide range of colors. This stone is said to havebeen
discovered along the banks of the river Achates, now known as river
Drillo, by the famous Greek naturalist and philosopher- Theophrastus.
Aquamarine
'Aquamarine� gemstones resemble the greenish- blue color of the sea.
In fact the name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word for sea
water. Aquamarine gemstones look like the crystal blue seas and are
normally pastel blue to greenish or the deep blue. The larger the
stone the more the sheen is.
Carnelian
The carnelian is a varietyof microcrystalline quartz and chalcedony
and is said to have been used in jewelry as early as 1800 B.C. It is
consists of silicon oxide and a few impurities that givesit its color.
Carnelian is an attractive stone that is deep red to brownish orange
in color. It has a long past and was considered the stone of the upper
classes in ancient times. The Egyptian people even buried this stone
in the tomb along with the dead pharaohs.
Citrine
Citrine is a crystal whose color varies from lemon yellow to a deep
red brown or amber. The name "Citrine" is derivedfrom the French word
for lemon. It is a popularand affordable substitute to the much more
expensive yellow sapphire or yellow diamond. To create stunning
multi-colored jewelry, it is often combined with other stones such as
amethyst, peridot, and garnet. It is the birthstone for the month of
November.
Emerald
Emerald is a much admired fantastic green stone. It is the green
variety of the mineral beryl and one of the most well prized gems. All
over history emerald has been one of the most preferred and popular
gems. Due to its dazzling beauty, emerald jewelry such as earrings,
finger rings, necklaces, pendants and bracelets are highly cherished.
Garnet
Garnets belong to the semi-precious stone category. The name is
derived from the Latin word 揼ranatus� which was a reference to the
fruit 憄omegranate� which has seeds similar to the shape, size and
color of garnet crystals. Archeologists have discovered garnet jewelry
dating back to 3100 B.C.
Kunzite
Kunzite, the beautiful icypink colored gemstone and was discovered in
the year 1902 by the gemologist George Frederick Kunz in a placecalled
Pala in California. It was named 慿unzite� after the discoverer. It is
available in countries like Brazil, Canada, Afghanistan, USA, Mexico,
Western Australia, Pakistan and Sweden.
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious gemstone which appears as though it
might have come straight out of the 慉rabian Nights�: 慉 deep blue
background with golden insertions of pyrites which shimmer like little
stars�. Lapis Lazuli is a semiprecious stone valued for its deepblue
color, and one can often spot golden pyrite inclusions. Lapis Lazuli
has a stretched history and has been consideredprecious by people
around the planet for centuries.
Moissanite
Moissanite, the exact replica of diamond, is a distinctive mineral
discovered by the Noble prize winner Dr. Henri Moissan in the year
1893. He found it as tiny bits of silicon carbide, inside a meteorite
in canyon Diablo, Arizona. The stone was named after him. In the year
1959, moissanite was found with an inclusion of kimberlite in a
diamond mine in Yakutia, Siberia and Wyoming- Western United States.
Moonstone
The moonstone is namedfor its resemblance to the color of the moon. It
owes its name to the softmilky white stone with abluish or yellowish
tint. It is also known as 慡tone of Emotional Balance� and represents
the moon goddess. It is an excellent gemstone usedin meditation to
understand oneself. It is believed that the stone transmits lunar
energy and helps soothe and balance human emotions.
Obsidian
揂pache tears�, the other name given to obsidian is a natural volcanic
glass which is formed by swift cooling of the glutinous lava inside
the earth. This is made of rich silica without a trace of water. The
making process of obsidian is the same as that of granite. However, it
cools down so quickly that there is exactly no time to crystallize.
Opal
The Opal is considered a symbol of clarity, optimism and confidence.
Any jewelry designed with opal gemstone adds beauty to the ornament.
There are numerous myths enveloped with this enchanting gemstone.
According to the ancient dream of the Australian aborigines, the
creator came down to the Earth on a rainbow to convey the message of
peace to all the humans. As soon he stepped on the ground
Pearl
Pearls are exquisite to behold and have been used in jewelry for
hundreds of years. Unlike other gems, the pearl is organic matter
obtained from the living creatures of the sea like the mollusks and
oysters.The pearl is actually formed as the mollusks or the oyster
coats itself with layers of nacre to protect itself from unwanted
materials thatcould damage them. Theprocess is very delicate and it
takes years for a pearl to be formed.
Quartz
The quartz gemstone is probably one of the most popular and versatile
gemstones that are available. Quartz is a rock crystal and has been in
use since ancient times. Despite the most sought varieties of quartz
like citrine, amethyst, rose quartz, agates, ametrine,chrysoprase,
onyx and rutilated quartz, there are many other varieties available
too.
Sapphire
Sapphire is the blue variety of corundum andis made up of aluminum
oxide. Excluding the red and pink color, all the other colors of
corundum are sapphires.The red colored corundum is called a ruby. The
sapphire resembles the ruby in all properties except for thecolor.
Sapphire is a wordderived from the Greek word 憇appheiros� whichmeans
慴lue stone�. Certain other elements like chromium, iron, etc
Tiger抯 Eye
Tiger Eye also called as the 憈iger抯 eye�, 慶rocidolite cat抯 eye� or
慉frican cat抯 eye�, as the name entails, resembles the eyes of a tiger
or a female cat. The surface of the stone glistens as a small ray of
light passes through. Tiger抯 eye is a variety of quartz and contains
fibers of crocidolite which is thenaltered to silica.
Turquoise
Turquoise is one of the oldest known semi precious gemstones known to
man. This popular gemstone is opaque, clear and transparent. This
stone was used to make jewelry for the Pharaohsof Egypt and also used
asjewelry to compliment the ceremonial dress of the early native
Americans.

Justifying Evil Acts in the light of Noble Qur'an andIslamic Teachings

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) had heard that an old man had become famous
for his piety. One day, he saw him surrounded by alarge crowd. A
little later, the man came out of the crowd and distancing himself
from them, proceeded alone, whereupon Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) began
to follow him. After a short time, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq(AS) observed
that he hadstopped near a bakery from where he stealthily picked up
two loaves of bread. After a short distance, he stopped at a fruit
store, picking up two pomegranates in thesame manner and once again
continued on his way.
As he walked further, the old man approached a sick person, handed
over the loaves and fruits to him and was about to move on when Imam
Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) came up to him and said, "I have witnessed
something greatly astonishing from you", and then proceeded to narrate
the acts, which he had witnessed.
The old man said, "I suppose you are Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS)."
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) replied in the affirmative.
The man continued, "It is really unfortunate that inspite of being of
the progeny ( Ahlul Bayt ) of Prophet Muhammad (saw) You do not seem
toknow anything."
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) asked, "What act of ignorance have you
noticed from me?"
The man said, "But do you not know that God has said in the Noble
Qur'an "Whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it and
whoever brings an evil deed, he shall be recompensed only with the
like of it".
On this basis, since I have stolen two fruits and twoloaves of bread,
I have four sins in my account, but on the other hand, since I have
given it in the way of God, I have earned forty good deeds.Reducing
four from forty,I still have thirty-six gooddeeds in my account; a
pity that you possess no knowledge of such computations!"
Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) explained to him, "But have you not heard
this verse of the Noble Qur'an, which says: "Allahonly accepts from
those who guard (against evil)". [5:27] You have earned four sins by
stealing those four items and four more sins for giving them to
someone else without the permission of the owners, so you have
collected eight sins but not a single good deed."
Later, Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) said to his companions, "With such
interpretations and justifications, not only dothey mislead
themselves, but others as well."

Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) student proves: Imamate is guidance we need

Basra is a big city and themain port of Iraq. It is situated at the
mouth of river Euphrates.
There, in a big mosque, people used to assemble to discuss various
subjects on Islamic rules and laws. A famous learned
priest/clergymanby name Amr Bin Ubeid was once preaching on the
subject of Imamate (An Islamic term referringto "leadership" of Imams
who followed Prophet Muhammad (saw) in leadership of Islam, according
to Shi'a belief ).He was surrounded by a big crowd of people whowere
asking various questions on the subject. Suddenly, a young and
intelligent student of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) by name of Hesham,
entered the gathering and sat down in the first row. He addressed the
priest saying that he was a stranger and would liketo ask some
questions. Ongetting the permission todo so, he asked the following:
Hesham: First, Sir! May I please know if you have eyes?
Amr: Young Boy! Is this a question to ask?
Hesham: Whatever it maybe, this is my question to which I shall
appreciate your answer.
Amr: Alright! You are at liberty to ask, even though it is a foolish question.
Hesham: As I have alreadyasked, Sir, may I please know if you have eyes?
Amr: Yes, I have.
Hesham: For what use arethey?
According to a verse (2:124) of Noble Qur'an, Imamate is a station
that was granted to prophet Ibrahim al-Khalil (pbuh) after that great
test, trial by Kalimat (words). According to traditions that are
consecutively narrated (mutawatir) and which both Shi'a andSunnis have
related, this station was also placed inAhlul Bayt of the Prophet
Muhammad (saw). Amr: With eyes, I can see faces of people and color of
various things.
Hesham: And you have a nose also?
Amr: Yes. I do have one.
Hesham: What is its function?
Amr: I smell the scent andodor by it.
Hesham: And do you havea mouth?
Amr: Yes I do have.
Hesham: For what use is it?
Amr: I can talk to people or taste food and drink with it.
Hesham: Do you have ears?
Amr: Yes, I have two ears.
Hesham: What is their function?
Amr: I can hear voices by them.
Hesham: And do you havea mind?
Amr: Almighty has bestowed me with that also.
Hesham: What is its use?
Amr: With that I am able to distinguish things whatever is felt by the
other senses like hands, eyes, ears, nose, tongue etc. In case of a
difference, I am able to solve with its help. In case of a doubt, I
can dispel with it and be sure.
Hesham: So, does it meanthat despite being sound and healthy, all
these organs cannot function independently without the help of the
mind.
Amr: No, No! None of the organs can function independently without the
help of the mind.
Hesham: Why is it so? After all, the organs are perfect and strong
enough to differentiate between things?
Amr: Young Boy! When any organ has some doubt about a thing, which it
smells, sees or tastes, it brings the matter to the mind and itis the
mind, which confirms the truth and removes the doubt.
Hesham: So, from what you have said, do you want me to understand that
Almighty Allah (SWT) has created and designedthe mind to guide the
organs and remove doubts?
Amr: Yes! It is so.
Hesham: So the mind is a necessity, otherwise the organs could not
work independently.
Amr: Yes.
Hesham: Please Sir! Proclaim your opinion with fairness and justice on
this point also. If Almighty Allah (SWT) has not left the organs of
man's body without the guidance of the mind, how is it possible that
Almighty Allah (SWT) could leave millions of Hiscreatures without an
IMAM to guide and solve their problems arising out of doubts and
conflicts? Should not our common sense accept this fact?
On hearing this logic argument, and having noanswer to give, Amr Bin
Ubeid kept silent and went into deep thinking.
Hesham was a deeply learned person and one of the closest companions
of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) from whom he had obtained his knowledge.
Note: There is a Hadith, according to which Prophet Muhammad (saw)
said: "If (as few as) three persons go on a journey, they must appoint
one out of themselves as their leader." From this one may infer to
what extent our Prophet Muhammad (saw) regarded as harmful the
disorder and absence of an authority that could resolve social
conflicts and serve as a unifying bond among individuals.

Performing Hajj or In-Vitro fertilization first?

Question
My husband and I have been married for four years but we do not
haveany children. We went to a doctor and she told us that we need to
perform an In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedure if we are to have a
child. We have not yet performed Hajj and only have enough money to
cover the costs of either the IVF, which isvery expensive, or our
obligation of Hajj, which is also very expensive as we live in the
United Arab Emirates. It will cost both of us about twenty-five
thousand Dirhams in total. We are of modest means, praise be to Allaah
The Almighty, and Ido not know whether or not we will be able to save
such a sum of money later on. I am yearning to have a child in my life
and fear that my husband's relatives would convince him to marry
another woman soas to have a child. What should I do? Which of thetwo
matters should be prioritized?
Fatwa
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
isHis slave and Messenger.
Hajj is obligatory upon a Muslim who is capable of performing it. This
is supported by the verse (which means): {And [due] to Allaah from the
people is a pilgrimage to the House - for whoever is able to find
thereto a way.} [Quran 3:97]
Ability means having money that enables a person to pay the expenses
of Hajj provided that it is in surplus to his necessary needs, like
residence andlife expenditures.
As for having children, there is no doubt that it is one of the most
important needs in a person's life but it does not reach the degree of
necessity. Hence, you have to give priority to performing Hajj over
the IVF which you mentionedis very costly.
We would like to point out that the costs of Hajj vary according to
the means of transportation, accommodation services in the sacred
cities and soon. If you choose a cheaper Hajj package, you may reduce
its costs in a way which helps yousave some money that may help you
with the IVF procedure. We ask Allaah The Almighty to assist you in
realizing all your aims and make reproduction easy for you.
Allaah Knows best.