In accordance with Article 8 of the Prize Constitution approved in 2012, the 11 ´ 9 cm Mustafa Prize Medal with a thickness of 8 mm has been made of 700-gram 925 Sterling Silver coated with 24-carat gold. Embracing a 20-carat Red Yemeni Agate, the Mustafa Prize Medal enjoys distinctive artistic and aesthetic features and an appeal of Islamic architecture lies in it.

The Mustafa Prize Medal bears an iconic image of the astrolabe as one of the symbols of Muslims’ scientific achievements over the past centuries. The image highlights the importance of Islamic Golden Age in terms of the enviable position of Muslims in knowledge and their leadership in science and technology in the world.

The astrolabe is a metal circular plate which has been made precisely, elegantly, and strongly to measure the inclined position in the sky of a celestial body, day or night, in all seasons. It is used for astronomical calculations and studies such as finding the height and angle of the sun, the stars, planets, and the zodiac. Since many Muslim scholars from the Orient excelled in this area in the past, this Medal has been decorated with a design of the astrolabe as a symbol to be awarded to eminent, influential scientists of the world today.

A red agate is embedded in the heart of the Mustafa Prize Medal, because Islamic traditions and Ahadith have highly recommended the benefits of using it. Aqeeq or agate is a precious stone which is mostly composed of Yamani stone. Agate’s main features are its bright colors (best agates appear to be red, yellow, and white) and its being finely-grained. This mineral is also used therapeutically in stone therapy.

Prophet Muhammad —whose name is emblazoned on the Medal—said the person who wore an agate ring would be successful (would have his wants met). The Prophet also said: “Wear an agate ring; as long as you have it on your finger, no grief will strike you.”

Another feature of the Mustafa Prize Medal is the emphasis it lays on ‘circle’ as a geometric shape. Circle is among the most important shapes associated with the concept of infinity. The notion of immortality has been conceptualized and embodied in this shape throughout history. Moreover, the geometric shape of the circle depicts the roundness of the earth, emphasizing the point that science knows no boundaries.

Expanding the boundaries of knowledge and science using top scientific achievements is one of the most important criteria for the Mustafa Prize. The name “Mustafa Prize” has been carved on the Medal in Persian, Arabic, and English as world common languages and it carries the name of the laureate on its base. In addition, the front of the Medal, like all other prestigious international medals, bears an inscription which reads the name of the prize and launch year of the Mustafa Prize. The other side of the Medal represents some other features such as the scope of the prize and the year of awarding.

Any medals or symbols bring meanings and concepts to the mind at first glance; the dome-shaped icon on this Medal can be interpreted as a personal impression of religious concepts. The color gold which has been used as the predominant color of this Medal, is recognized as one of the arabesque colors used widely in religious buildings as well as the art of illumination (gilding).