DUR-E-NAJAF


What is DUR-E-NAJAF

Dur-E-Najaf as the word describes its own meaning is known as “Pearl of Najaf”it is also known as “Gem of Gems” because it made from the dust of Imam Ali (a.s) feet. Dur-E-Najaf is valued a lot around the world.

There are different statements about Dur-E-Najaf that you commonly hear a few say that it is a type of Agate (Aqeeq) which is not authentic, it belongs to Quartz family. Take their place at 7 out of 10 Mohs scale of hardness.

As we all know that every gem is considered semi-precious except Diamond, Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds. If you study Dur-E-Najaf in history and the value given to it by Ahl-E-Bait (a.s) family of Prophet Muhammad SAW. It becomes so special and precious.


WADI AL-SALAM (VALLEY OF PEACE)

Dur-E-Najaf is so unique because it is only found in Najaf, Iraq. In Najaf there is this place called Wadi al-Salam which means “Valley of Peace”.

It is the World’s Largest Cemetery expanded in 1485 acres. It is situated near Shrine of Imam Ali (a.s) brother of Prophet Muhammad SAW opposite Bab-E-Tosi name of one of the Gates of Imam Ali (a.s) Shrine.

Hazrat Adam (a.s) and Hazrat Noah (a.s) are also buried in Najaf next to Shrine of Imam Ali (a.s).

Wadi Al-Salam has very rich history and historians state that people are being buried here debatably from past 1400 years. It is even listed in World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also said that it is the land which Hazrat Ibrahim (a.s) Bought.

History tells us that during Iraq war 200 – 250 dead bodies were brought here on daily bases. This land possesses so much respect because it is said that almost 70000 Ambiya (a.s) are buried here but, the number is not confirm.

Shrine of Hazarat Saleh (a.s) and Hazrat Hood (a.s) is situated at the entrance as soon as you enter Wadi al-Salam you will find the shrine of these Prophets (a.s).

Dur-E-Najaf is found in Najaf at Wadi Al-Salam, it is a miracle of God gifted to the land where Imam Ali (a.s) Shrine is s. This gem comes out when it rains in Najaf it mixes with soil of this land and this Beautiful gem is produced.


Experts say that there is something about this land that when it rains it reacts with the soil and it increases the process of creation of Quartz hence Dur-E-Najaf is formed within few moments, locals and tourists rush to the Valley after rain to collect this beautiful stone.

Dur-E-Najaf is a transparent or slightly whitish shade stone. It is valued a lot when it is transparent and without any impurity or cracks.

It is also found in whitish shade and with cracks as well and often sellers fool people by selling them Moon Stone which is also of whitish shade.

When it is comes out of the soil in rough it has a color of a soil but more of a shiny soil. When it is polished and cut in factory it gives its real color or transparency with little impurities.

Though it is easy to found but yet some people are selling glass and synthetic Dur-E-Najaf to earn more money so, always buy the stone from the authentic dealer.

Don’t be fooled by the fake ones in the market either, buy Dur-E-Najaf in rough or you can go to the old Souq (Bazaar or Market) of Najaf, Souq al Kabir located opposite Bab-Us-Sah one of the Gates of Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (a.s) right next to Bab-E-Tosi.


Sayings of Ahl-E-Bait (a.s) about Dur-E-Najaf

If one reads about Dur-E-Najaf that what Ahl-E-bait (a.s) have stated about this gem you will want to wear it as well.

Sheikh Tosi mentioned in his book “Tahzeeb ul Ahqam” that Mufazil bin Amr asked Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.s) about the virtues of Dur-E-Najaf. IMAM (a.s) replied:

“Dur-E-Najaf brings Harmony to one’s life.

Dur-E-Najaf helps maintaining relationships.

Dur-E-Najaf increases creativity, intelligence and hunger for knowledge.

Dur-E-Najaf is beneficial to those who had traumatic experiences in life.

Dur-E-Najaf is beneficial to those who want to make better choices in future (Increases Decision Making Power).

Dur-E-Najaf also gives many mental and physical benefits”.

Allama Majlisi stated the same reference of “Mufazil ibne Amr the writer of book Toheed” in his book “Tahzeeb ul Islam” that Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.s) said: “Sight of Dur-E-Najaf is a delight for the momineen and is a relief from the pain of eyes”.

Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.s) went on by saying that, “Every believer should have these 5 gems YAQOOT (RUBY), FEROZA (TORQUOISE), AQEEQ E YEMENI (AGATE OF YEMEN),  HADEED (Metal from which ZULFIQAR was created) and DUR-E-NAJAF”.

Imam Hassan Askari (a.s) said: “Dur-E-Najaf is also known as “Hijar-E-Kareem” which means benevolent stone”.

In the period of Abbasid Caliphs people stared using Dur-E-Najaf as decoration and in garments instead of valuing it. Once Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) saw Haroon-Ur-Rasheed wearing Dur-E-Najaf as buttons on his garment. IMAM (a.s) disliked his gesture of wearing Dur-E-Najaf as buttons so, IMAM (a.s) strictly reprimanded Haroon and said: “Dur-E-Najaf in status is equal to Hajar-E-Aswad”.

Imam Jaffar Sadiq (a.s) said: “Had God not been merciful towards our followers, every gem of Dur-E-Najaf would have been very expensive but, it is out of his mercy that God has made it easily available, so rich and poor can wear it alike”.

Imam Musa Kazim (a.s) said: “Dur-E-Najaf is a source of happiness for both men and women and said it to be a cure for eye diseases”. So both gender can wear this stone and it will only bring benefits to the wearer.

Imam Ali Naqi (a.s) once said: “Dur-E-Najaf is a sort of medicine which will protect you from any disease if you wear it, except for death”.

A bearer of this stone should keep the etiquette of wearing it, with a lot care and respect because it is said that it was gifted to us by God, it’s a gem born out of the soil that touched the feet of Imam Ali (a.s) that’s why it is only found in Najaf.


Black Tourmaline Quartz (Moh-E-Najaf)

There is this very famous story about Black Tourmaline Quartz commonly known as Moh-E-Najaf that it is also found only in Wadi Al-Salam, Najaf and the black lines inside it are hair (Moh) of Ambiya (a.s) buried in Wadi Al-Salam.

Some say these are very pure stones as they contain hair of Imma Ali (a.s) or Prophet Muhammad SAW. Well it’s not true people often say such things to sell there stones to pilgrims and they pay lots of money believing that it’s true.

This form of Quartz firstly, is not the stone of Najaf and doesn’t have those values of Dur-E-Najaf. Secondly, the hair like impurities within these gems are called Schorl, they are the inclusions of Sodium Iron Aluminum Borosilicate Hydroxide.

These black hair like structures are formed when Black Tourmaline combines naturally with clear Quartz Crystal.

Black Tourmaline Quartz is no doubt a very beautiful gem and is not found in Iraq. It is found in mines of Brazil, Minas Giras. They are also found in Africa and a few in Pakistan (northern areas).


Rutile Quartz

Rutile is another form of Quartz crystal with hair like inclusions but, in this crystals the impurities are not Black but Golden and yes they also look like hair.

Some also call it a very rare form of Moh-E-Najaf that it has Golden Hair in it and relate it to the same believe that they possess hair of Prophets (a.s). Well it’s not true these hair like things inside Rutile Quartz are Rutile a major ore of titanium.

Rutile is derived from Latin word Rutilus which means Red. Rutile Quartz is also known by the name Cupid’s Darts and Venus Hair Stone.

They are not found in Iraq. They are commonly found in Pakistan, Australia, America, Brazil, Norway, Madagascar and Kazakhstan.

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