BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ONUNCU FASIL · Dördüncü Madde
**Fourth Article**
This article summarizes the formation and coloration of stones from minerals.
Beloved! Know that the philosophers have said: All transparent stones originate from rainwater and moisture trapped within the earth. Stones that are not transparent arise from the combination of water and adhesive mud under the influence of solar heat. The formation and coloring of transparent stones proceed as follows: Rainwater and the moisture of the ground and stones are trapped within mines and caverns, remaining there for thousands of years without mixing with minerals, thereby acquiring purity, clarity, and hardness. From these arise stones so hard and solid that they are unaffected by water and fire and cannot be broken. They are precious jewels which do not remain in the earth. The differing colors of minerals originate from the influence of starlight:
Each star indicates a multitude of varieties of gems, casting its light upon a mountain and influencing the minerals beneath it. For blackness is due to the light of Zühal (Saturn), greenness to that of Jupiter, redness to Mars, yellowness to the sun, blueness to Venus, variable colors to Mercury, and whiteness to the moon.
The varieties of gems are exceedingly numerous. However, their sultan and the most valuable of them all is the diamond gem, for it has been observed to be harder, more solid, and stronger than all other minerals. It was created more precious, valuable, and pure than any mineral. While the diamond surpasses all minerals and is effective against them, its defeat and influence by lead demonstrates the greatness of the Divine Protection.
The gem closest in value to the diamond is emerald. The gaze of one who looks upon it becomes illuminated, and his heart rejoices. Its rays blind the eye of a serpent; serpents avoid those who carry an emerald. The emerald gem possesses many other benefits and qualities, but these are briefly mentioned here. The formation of transparent stones—as described above—is through the blending and coalescing of water and adhesive mud over long years under the influence of solar heat. With time, this mud layer turns to stone, just as milk becomes solid yogurt under the influence of fire.
The diversity of stones arises from the differentiation of their soil. The place where a stone forms, if it is earth or hot mud, produces an absolute stone there. In warm places, salts, dazzling substances, and slags are produced. In arid lands, red, yellow, and green vitriols arise from this adhesive mud.
Therefore, each place possesses its own unique characteristic, the true nature of which only Allah, the Creator of the universe, knows. Sometimes stones form in water; this is due to the qualities of that water or that place. Sometimes, particles of smoke rising into the air encounter a layer of cold air and cool down, forming stones in the air. When these stones begin to fall to the earth, people say, "Stones are falling." Again, sometimes lightning causes stone to become iron or copper.
Thus much explanation concerning the stones, which constitute the second kind of mineral varieties [104/a], has been deemed sufficient.
The third type of minerals, oils, is not described here because it has already been fully established by comparison with the two types mentioned above. The kinds of minerals are exceedingly numerous due to a lack of a specific measure in the mixture of their elements (the balance of elemental temperaments). Plant varieties are closer to minerals in terms of temperament (balance of temperaments) than minerals, so there are fewer plant varieties than minerals.
The animal species is even closer to plants in terms of conforming to the measure of temperament, and therefore has fewer varieties—eighteen thousand in number. Each of these varieties is named a world. One of these varieties is known as the human species.
Because the human race exists at the point of perfection in measuredness, its individuals are fewer than all other species and are considered a supremely exalted and rare being.
It has been deemed sufficient to explain the conditions of minerals to this extent for contemplation of the Creator’s power, for Allah's omnipotence is known to be boundless.