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Posted September 26, 2008 by strzaidi

Here's an article I found a while back. I wasn't able to verify the authenticity of it.

Aqeeq, in english, is also known as:

Cornelian
Carnelian
Red Agate
Agate
Chalcedony
Red Chalcedony

And here are some hadith on its merits:

A Hadith from Janabe Salman Farsi states that the last Prophet requested Imam Ali to wear a ring on the right so that he may be listed among the Muqarrabeen (those near to Allah). The Imam asked the Prophet as to who the Muqarrabeen were, to which the Prophet replied Janabe Jibreel and Janabe Mikaiel.

Then the Imam inquired as to which stone should he wear. The Prophet replied Aqiq (cornelian), as this red stone had accepted the Oneness of Allah, the Prophethood of the last Prophet, and the vicegerency of Ali ibne Abi Talib, and the heavens for Ali's friends and Shias.

The 8th Imam was once asked why the 1st Imam wore his ring on the right hand. The Imam replies that Imam Ali is the leader of the Ashabe Yameen, and the Ashabe Yameen are those records of actions will be given on the right hand. And secondly, the last Prophet also wore his rings on his right hand.

The Shias will identified by these symbols, having the ring on the right hand, praying 5 times a day at the right timings, giving charity, distributing among his religious brothers his belongings, ordering good actions and keeping people away from evil.

The 9th Imam stated that Aqiq takes away the poverty and dissolves differences in one's heart.

The 6th Imam stated that Aqiq brings safety while traveling.

The Prophet stated that Allah finds it difficult not to listen to the prayers of those who have Aqiq and Firoza rings on their fingers, and feels hurt to negate their prayers.

The 6th Imam stated on Durre Najaf, that all the Momineen and Mominaat feel happy when they sight this stone, and the pain of their eyes is relived. The Imam stated that he wants every Momin to have five rings. Yakoot ring is the best. The second is Aqiq as it is a stone which has affection for Allah and Ahle Bayt. Third is Firoza which gives strength to the eyes, expands the breast and strengthens the heart. Whenever a Momin goes for some work with a Firoza ring on his finger, his work is done. Fourthly one should wear the ring of Hadeed Cheeni but not always. Only when one is afraid of some mischief then he should visit that environment with this ring on at the stone keeps the devil away.

And the fifth ring should be that of Durre Najaf which
is found only in Najaf. When a person wears a ring of Durre Najaf, at his every glance towards it, Allah gives him the reward of Ziyarat, Hajj and Umrah, which are kept in his record of action. The reward is equal to the rewards of the Prophets and pious; if Allah had not been merciful towards the Shia, then every gem of Durre Najaf would have been costly but Allah made it readily available so that both rich and poor can wear it.

Also Imam al-Sadiq <a> has narrated:

"A hand with a Turquoise or Red-chalcedony ring raised in prayer is dearer before Allah than any other hand."

Another tradition states that praying two rakats Namaz (prayers) while wearing an Aqiq ring is better than praying a thousand rakats without it.

Imam Ali used to wear four rings on his hand - one of ruby (Yaqut) for beauty and dignity, the second of Turquoise (Firuza) for obtaining Divine help and victory, the thrid of Hadid Chini for strength and the fourth of Aqiq to protect himself against enemies and all types of misfortunes.

1)Ma`adh has narrated on the authority of Imam `Ali (a) saying: The one who wears an aqeeq ring, God grants him (literally: seals for him) the peace (al-amn) and faith.

2)Imam `Ali (a) has said: Wear aqeeq on your rings, you will be blessed and will be saved from afflictions.

3)`Abul Mu'min al-Ansaaree reports that I heard Abu `Abdillah (Imam Ja`far as-Sadiq) saying: The hands that wears Firoza will not see poverty.

<Reference: Shaykh al-Tabrasee, Makarimul Akhlaaq, Teheran, 1972, pp. 87-89.>

An Hadith in detail :

al Maghazeli reported from Katheer ibne Zaid and from Salam al Faresi that the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, ï¿½Oh Ali! Wear a ring on your right hand as you are from the close people (to Allah (s.w.t.))ï¿½, He (Ali (a.s.)) said, ï¿½Oh Prophet (s.a.w.)! who are the close onesï¿½? He (Prophet (s.a.w.)) replied, ï¿½ Jabrail and Mekaï¿½elï¿½, He (Ali (a.s.)) asked, ï¿½ Oh Messenger of Allah! what ring do I wearï¿½? He (Prophet (s.a.w.)) replied, ï¿½ the red Aqeeq, it is from a mountain that declared the oneness of Allah (s.w.t.) and to me the prophethood and to you the welaya (guardianship) and to your childrenï¿½s the Imama (guardianship) and to those who love you the Janna (Heaven) and to your Shia and the Shia of your children the Ferdous (Heaven).

Aqeeq is an important stone. Tradition states that the Shia of Aaley Mohammed (a.s.) who wears an Aqeeq will never face anything except good, will have safety from all types of dangers, and his livelihood will be enhanced. He will also be protected from unjust rulers and from fear of the unknown. Aqeeq, as tradition goes, is a stone from a mountain in Yemen. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) told Ali (a.s.) ï¿½Wear Aqeeq in a ring and you will be close to Allah. ï¿½Three mountains in Jannat have Red, Yellow, and White Aqeeq.

Iltemas-e-Dua:

Tags: A, complete, explanation, og, what, and, why, stones, are, important...

Quranic Verses to be recited after prayers...

Posted August 10, 2008 by strzaidi

Salam Alaikum,

Some actions are to be performed after the completion of every compulsory prayer and these are called Ta'qibaat. Out of the numerous actions that have been recommended, there are a few verses of the Holy Qur'an that have also been prescribed and carry much reward if recited after the daily prayers.

Attached is a list of the verses that should be recited and a note of the reward gained for the recitation of each one.

1. Ayah ash-Shahada (Surah Ali-'Imran: 18-19)

In the commentary of Majma'ul Bayaan, it is narrated from the Holy Prophet that those who recite this ayah make a covenant with Allah (S.w.T.) and Allah always fulfils His covenants. If this ayah is recited after every prayer, then Jannah is guaranteed to the reciter.

2. Ayah al-Mulk (Surah Ali-'Imran: 26-27)

It is narrated that the Holy Prophet (S) once advised one of his companions, who was in debt, to recite this ayah after every prayer and then supplicate to Allah (S.w.T.) for the repayment of his debts saying that even if the debts are equal to the entire land on Earth, they will be repaid.

3. Ayah al-Kursi (Surah al-Baqarah: 255-257)

It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that there is no barrier between the person who recites this ayah after every prayer and Jannah except for death ie. he will be taste the pleasures of Jannah immediately after his death, and only that person will be able to recite it who is pious and righteous.

4. Ayah al-Madhkurah (Surah ar-Rum: 17-22)

Whoever recites this after every compulsory prayer will get a reward equal to drops of rain and grains of sand. The Holy Prophet (S) has highly recommended the recitation of this ayah especially during the early morning and evening times.

5. Ayah as-Sakhrah (Surah A'araaf: 54)

This should also be recited after every prayer. The benefit of reciting this ayah is that it acts as a protection from Shaitan. It is said that the one who recites this ayah is protected against the plots of Shaitan even if he is alone in the desert.

Tags: Important, Quranic, Verses...