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Amina Inloes,
Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the Islamic College in London and also the Managing Editor of the Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies. 581 Answers
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Mahmood Abu Maryam,
Trying to make sense of it all... 50 Answers
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Zeinab Donati,
Zeinab Donati has been studying books about various Islamic subjects for more than 19 years. She is deeply interested in history and politics as well as social issues in particular those pertaining to women. 25 Answers
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Rebecca Masterton,
Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been teaching for seventeen years through different media, and has also worked in media for ten years, producing and presenting programs for several TV channels. 102 Answers
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Zoheir Ali Esmail,
Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD from the University of Exeter in the philosophical and mystical readings of Mulla Sadra in the context of the schools of Tehran and Qum. 354 Answers
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Abbas Di Palma,
Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in London, Damascus and Qom and taught for different institutions in Italy and UK. 208 Answers
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Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb,
Sayyed Muhammad Husaini Ragheb has a BA in Law from Guilan University, Iran and has also undertaken Hawzah studies in Qom. He is a Cultural Affairs director of Ethics Group of Al-Mustafa Open University and has also taught Arabic conversation at Masoomieh school. 67 Answers
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Zaid Alsalami,
Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from ANU, Canberra. He has written and translated several Islamic texts and also prepared educational videos on Islamic rulings and practices. 515 Answers
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There are a number of hadith in Sunni and Shi'i books, especially Shi'i books, on the merits of wearing rings, especially an 'aqiq (carnelian) ring on the right hand.
It is narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) from Paradise and said, "O Muhammad, wear an 'aqiq ring, and command your ummah to do the same."
It is also narrated that the angel Jibra'il descended to the Prophet (S) and said, "Your Lord conveys his salaam," and then told the Prophet (S) to wear an 'aqiq ring and command his cousin [i.e. Imam 'Ali (A)] to do the same.
A narration says that this is because 'aqiq was the first stone to bear witness to Allah's lordship, the Prophet's prophethoold, and Imam 'Ali's successorship.
While many Muslims do wear religious rings, over time, it became particularly associated with the practice of the Shi'a and the Imams, and so one can say it became part of the tradition. Perhaps this is why wearing a ring is described in a narration as one of the signs of a believer.
The Prophet (S) also was said to have worn a signet ring, i.e. a ring with a seal which is used as a a stamp on wax to sign a letter, as was a common custom in the past. So, wearing a ring (albeit this kind of ring without a stone) can also be seen as a Prophetic practice from this angle.
Additionally, there are a number of narrations (correctly or incorrectly, God knows best) attributed to the Imams (A) describing the merits of wearing specific stones. For instance:
* 'Aqiq (carnelian): strengthening faith, protection, protection from poverty, dispelling melancholy
* Turquoise: protection from poverty, acceptance of du'a
* Hadid sini (hematite): overcoming fear
* Ruby, emerald, and sapphire: overcoming poverty
* Durr-e-najaf (a type of quartz) is also said to have many blessings and to have been made an affordable stone for the followers of Ahl al-Bayt (A).
Anyway, it is good to wear a ring with the intent of following the tradition of the Prophet (S) and Imams (A); or out of hope that it may offer these benefits, spiritual or material; or even if one simply likes it. (After all, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.) However, it is better not to get too caught up in these things and put faith in the material over the immaterial; that is, faith should first be in Allah, and physical things such as rings are only secondary factors. It is also fine if one prefers not to wear a ring.