What does the Quran say about rubies?

The Quran mentions the ruby (Yaqut) once in Surah Ar-Rahman (55:58), likening the companions of Paradise to 'rubies and coral' to describe their exquisite beauty and purity. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain this as a metaphor for their clarity and radiance.

What is the spiritual meaning of a ruby in Islam?

In Islamic tradition, the ruby (Yaqut) symbolizes honor, wisdom, nobility, and divine blessings. While its primary significance comes from its mention as a gem of Paradise, it is also associated with spiritual wealth and the beauty of God's creation.

Are there any hadith about rubies?

While there are no widely authenticated hadith from the major collections specifically detailing the virtues of wearing rubies, some traditions in broader Islamic literature associate them with protection and blessings. The primary and most authentic significance remains its mention in the Quran.

Ruby in Islam - Quranic Concept of Yaqut

Ruby

ياقوت

Ruby (ياقوت) is one of the precious Minerals mentioned in the Quran.

Explore Verses Related to Ruby

🕌Ar-Rahman55:58

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, the 'Yaqut' (Ruby) mentioned in the Quran (55:58) is a sublime metaphor for the beauty and purity of the companions of Paradise. Ibn Kathir, in his renowned tafsir, explains that they are likened to rubies in their clarity and radiance. This single, yet powerful, mention establishes the ruby as a symbol of the highest form of divine reward and aesthetic perfection in the afterlife. The linguistic analysis of 'Yaqut' points to its esteemed value in the pre-Islamic and Islamic Arab world, making it an effective simile for the preciousness of God's blessings. Contemporary Islamic thought continues to see the ruby as a reminder of the beauty inherent in God's creation and the ultimate reward for the righteous.

📖 Quranic Context

A key descriptor of the beauty of the companions of Paradise, symbolizing purity and preciousness.

Represents the exquisite nature of God's rewards for the righteous.

References: Surah Ar-Rahman (55:58)

💭 Theological Perspective

Not applicable

Symbol of the aspiration for purity and beauty in the afterlife.

Serves as a tangible metaphor for the intangible beauty of Paradise.

A reminder of the value of striving for righteousness to attain divine rewards.

📜 Hadith Perspective

While not directly mentioning rubies in canonical hadith, there are narrations that speak of the beauty of the inhabitants of Paradise in similar terms.

descriptions of paradise
rewards for good deeds

Universal agreement on its metaphorical use to describe the beauty of the companions of Paradise.

💎 Deeper Insights

The combination of 'Yaqut' (Ruby) and 'Marjan' (Coral/Pearl) in 55:58 is not just a description of beauty but a symbol of comprehensive perfection. Search-discovered tafsir reveals that scholars interpret the ruby's radiant purity and reddish hue with the coral's whiteness and fairness to represent the perfect balance of inner and outer beauty, vitality, and serenity in the companions of Paradise.

— Ibn Kathir, Al-Qurtubi

The use of 'Yaqut' in the Quran had a significant impact on Islamic culture, making the ruby a symbol of not just material wealth but also spiritual aspiration. Cross-disciplinary search grounding in Islamic art and literature, such as the poetry of Rumi, shows the ruby being used as a metaphor for the enlightened soul and the inner light of faith, a direct extension of its Quranic symbolism.

— Rumi, General Islamic Literary Tradition