Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 1013-21. 2008. Salvadora
persica, Tamarix aphylla and Zizyphus mauritiana: Three Woody Plant Species
Mentioned in Holy Quran and Ahadith,
and their Ethnobotanical Uses in North Western Part (D.I. Khan) of Sarfaraz Khan
Marwat¹, Mir Ajab Khan¹, Muhammad
Aslam Khan², Fazal-ur-Rehman³, Mushtaq Ahmad¹ and
Muhammad Zafar¹ ¹Department of Plant Sciences, E-Mail: skhan.marwat@gmail.com ²Assistant
Professor Department of Arabic, Islamic Studies & Research ³Lecturer
Faculty of Issued ABSTRACT The present research work is based
on Three woody plant species: Salvadora persica, L. Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. and Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.
mentioned in the 16th Ayat of Sura Saba in Holy Quran and Ahadith. These plants
were collected from Dera Ismail
Khan District, NWFP, Key words: Ethnobotanical study, INTRODUCITON Life and diseases go together where
there is life, diseases are bound to exist. Dependency and sustainability of
man and animal life has been revolving around plants through their uses as
food, fibers and shelter, but also plants have been used to control and ease
diseases, therefore, the use of plants as medicines is an ancient and
reliable practice (Arshad and Rao,
2001). Cure of diseases through medicinal
plants is always a salient feature of Islamic teaching and preaching. Islamic
medicine started from Hazrat Adam (A.S.) and was
completed at Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) but search and
compiling of these medicines is still continued through out the world (Nasr, 1976). The holy Quran is
the eternal and everlasting basis of Islam. It contains signs and verses
which have been leading people of different ages and of different academics
and intellectual background to believe in Islam. The Holy Quran
from the very start has a claim that it covers every aspect of life and is
full of wisdom. It speaks “We have neglected nothing in the Book” (Khan, et al., 1994). The importance of plants in
various Surahs of the Holy Quran
has been described, as in Al-Momeenoon, Al-Rehman, Al-Bakra and Al-Anaam, Al-A’raf, Ar-Ra’d, Al-Ibrahim, An-Nahl etc. Our Holy Prophet (Sallallaho
Alayhi Wassallam) used
and recommended medicinal plants for various ailments and food (Nasr, 1976). Ahadith
[the sayings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallaho Alayhi Wassallam)] have also described the importance of many
plant species. Farooqi (1998) in his book “Ahadith Mein Mazkoor Nabatat, Adwiyah Aur Ghizaen”
in English “Plants, Medicines and Food
Mentioned in Ahadith” has reported about 70
plants and plant products. Keeping in view the importance of
diverse medicinal flora and rich medicinal culture of Islam, research work
was conducted to investigate ethnobotanical uses
and create awareness about the plant species enlisted in Holy Quran, Ahadith for the welfare
of human communities throughout the world. MATERIALS The research work was conducted by
reviewing the Holy Quran, Ahadith
and Islamic books. Comprehensive and detailed information about Three ethnobotanical important plants mentioned in the 16th
Ayat of Sura Saba and Ahadith were collected from these sources. Plants species
were arranged in systematic order of botanical names in alphabetic order
followed by family, Quranic namic
Arabic name, English name, habit and distribution, part used, medicinal uses
and references cited from Holly Quran, Ahadith and Islamic books. Correct botanical names, their
families and identification of plants were done by using flora of RESULTS Present findings were confined to three plant species belonging to
three genera of three families enlisted in Holly Quran, Ahadith and Islamic
literature. These plants are Salvadora persica, Tamarix aphylla and Zizyphus mauritiana which
are used throughout Botanical Name: Salvadora
persica L.
Family: Salvadoraceae Quranic Name: Khamt Arabic Name: Shajar-e-Miswak,
Al-arak, Khardal English name : Tooth brush tree,
Mustard tree Local names: Jhal (Saraiki) Playman
(Pashto), Pilu(Urdu). Tibb name(s): Pilun, Jhal Habit and Habitat: Shrub
or small tree found in rocky slopes and sandy area. Description: Usually
small evergreen tree; branches numerous drooping, finely striate, shining,
white. Leaves opposite, elliptic-lanceolate or
ovate, often mucronate at the apex. Flowers in
compound lax axillary terminal panicles, numerous,
greenish-yellow ; corolla very thin, deeply cleft,
lobes much reflexed. Fruit drupe, 3 mm in diam., globose, smooth, red
when ripe. Distribution in Pahar pur.
Peshawar District; Distribution in World: Parts used: Whole plant. Flowering period: March – June. Folkmedicinal uses Recipe : 250 g of fruit are placed in an
earthen (clayey) pot and its mouth is closed in order to prevent the entrance
of water in the pot. The pot is placed in a bucket of water for a night. The
fruit is used in the morning on empty stomach. Eating of fruit of ‘water
melon’ before or after the eating of Salvadora fruit
is useful. The treatment is continued for a week. This is very useful phytotherapy for the treatment of the Tuberculosis (T.B). Other Etnobotavical Uses: The dried parts are used as fuel. The wood
is also s used to make agricultural implements. Miswak ( tooth
brush) is made from its root. Branches
and leaves serve as fodder. The ripe fruit is eaten. References from Quran: But they
turned away (from the obedience of Allah), so we sent against them Sail Al-‘Arim (flood
released from the dam), and we converted their two gardens into gardens
producing bitter bad fruit, and tamarisks, and some few lote-trees
(Al-Hilali and Khan, 1985). References from Ahadith: ·
Jabbir Bin
Abdullah (R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, “The black coloured
Kapas (fruit of Salvadora) is the best (finest)
one” (A’zami, 1985b). ·
Hazrat Aaisha narrates that Rasulullah
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, “Miswak
purifies the mouth and is a cause of Allah’s pleasure” (A’zami,
1985a). ·
Abu-Hizat-us-Sabahi (R)
narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wassallam) gave
him a twig of Salvadora
(Al-Arak) and said, “Use it as miswak”
(Farooqi,1998). ·
Abu-Zaid Al-Ghafqi. Botanical Name: Tamarix aphylla (L.) Karst. Synonym: T. articulata Vahl Family: Tamaracaceae Quranic Name: Athel Arabic Name: Abal, Tarfaa, Ghaz, Athel English name: Athel tamarisk Local Name(s): Khagal
(Urdu), Ghaz (Pashto), Frash
(Saraiki). Tibb name: Jhao Habit and Habitat: Often planted in plains,
especially as roadside tree. Description: Trees
or tall shrub, up to c. 13 m. tall with reddish brown to grey bark, entirely glabrous. Leaves naginate,
abruptly mucronate 1.5-2(-3) mm long. Raceme
mostly aestival, simple or compound, 2-6 cm. Long
3-4 mm. Broad, spirally curved.Flowers bisexual, pinkish white, pedice less than 1 mm. Long. Sepals 5, free, obtuse, broadly ovate to elliptic. Petals 5, free. Stamens 5, flaments
filiform, inserted in alternate notches on the 10 lobed disk. Styles half as long as the
ovary; stigma ovoid. Capsule
trigonous. Distribution in as
roadside tree throughout Distribution
in World: Parts used: Bark,
leaves and twigs. Flowering period: June - October Folkmedicinal uses: Jaundice, bad evils, rheumatism, wound and abscesses Recipes: ·
Ash of the leaves is mixed with water;
after half an hour the water is strained (filtered) and boiled. After boiling
the water is evaporated and the salt is left behind. Then ½ -1g salt is taken with Shurbat-e-Bazoori
twice a day for a period as needed. Useful traditional phytotherapy
for jaundice. ·
Harmal seeds are put on the burnt ash of the wood of the Tamarix. The
inhaling of the smoke is used for bad evils. ·
Leaves are boiled in water. The water is
strained and the hot leaves are tied on the affected area daily. The treatment
is continued for a week. This phytotherapy is used
for the treatment of Rheumatism, wound and abscesses. Other Ethnobotanical uses: It makes
a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens the wood has been used for fuel and timber.
The wood is also used for making of agricultural tools. Leaves are browsed by camels. References from Quran: The Noble
Quran (Al-Hilali and
Khan, 1998). References from Ahadith: ·
Hazrat Khalid bin Umair Advi (R) narrates that once during a journey with Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wassallam) we had nothing to eat except leaves of
tamarisk (Farooqi, 1998). ·
Hazrat Annus (R) said (pointing towards a cup) that he took
drinking substances (e.g. honey, water, milk etc.) in that cup and gave them
to Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wassallam). In some books it has been mentioned
that the cup was made up of tamarisk’s wood (Chughtai,
2000). Botanical Name: Zizyphus mauritiana Lam. Synonym: Z. jujuba Lam. not of Mill.;
Z. spina-christi
Willd. Family: Rhamnaceae Quranic Name: Sidar Arabic Name: Nabaq, Sidar English Name: Indian jujube Local Name: Ber (S,
U), Bera (P). Habit and Habitat: Wild and
cultivated found in dry area and rocky places. Description: Tree, 9-15 m. or large shrub,
branches spreading and drooping, stipular spine, c.
5-7 mm. long. Leaves elliptic oblong or sub-orbicular, 6-9 cm. long with
1-1.5 cm long petiole. Inflorescence axillary
cymes, tomentose. Flowers 2-3 mm across, greenish
yellow. Calyx 5, hairy outside. Petals 5, spoon like
or clawed, reflexed. Stamens 5, smaller than the
petals. Ovary 2-celled, styles bifid. Disck
10-lobed or grooved. Fruit 1.5-3.5 x 1.5-2.5 cm, globose
to ovoid, generally yellowish green in colour,
fleshy and juicy. Distribution in Distribution in World: Trop. Africa. Parts used: Fruit, leaves, wood. Flowering Period: July – September Folkmedicinal uses: Recipes: ·
The paste of crushed fresh leaves is mixed with
small amount of soap and ground loaf sugar (gur)and is tied with a cloth as bandage on the abscesses. The
bandage is changed after every 24 hours and treatment is continued for 3-4
days. As a result the new abscesses will disappear and the older ones will
burst. This is an effective traditional phytotherapy. ·
The poultice of crushed fresh leaves is wrapped
around the abscesses and wound. This is recommended by local inhabitants. Other Ethnobotanical Uses: The wood is reddish, fine-textured, hard, tough, durable,
planning and polishing well. It has been used to make legs for bedsteads,
agricultural implements, house poles, tool handles, yokes,
gunstocks saddle trees, sandals, household utensils, toys and general
turnery. It is also valued as firewood; is a good source of charcoal. The
branches used for fencing and hedges. The leaves are readily eaten by camels,
cattle and goats and are considered nutritious. Fruit is edible and rich
source of vitamin C and sugars. References in Quran:
·
The Noble Quran (Al-Hilali and Khan, 1985). ·
And indeed he (Muhammad SAW) saw him [ Jibril
(Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time). Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (a lote-tree of the outmost boundary over the seventh heaven
beyond which none can pass). Near it is the Paradise of Abode. When that
covered the lote-tree which did cover it.(Al-Hilali and Khan, 1985). ·
And those on the Right hand-how (fortunate) will be those
on the Right Hand? (They will be) among thornless lote-tree. (Al-Hilali and Khan,
1985) References from Ahadith: ·
Hazrat Ahmad Zahbi (Rahmatullah ALayhi) narrates the following hadith: The first fruit eaten by Hazrat Adam (Alayhi Sallam) after His descent
on the earth, was the fruit of the Zizyphus ( Chughtai,
2000). ·
Hazrat Abdullah
bin Abbas narrates that Rasulullah
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, Ibn Al-Qaeem considers its
fruit very useful for the treatment of diarrhea and weakness of the stomach (Ghaznavi, 2000).
Note: There is confusion about the
plant (Cidar) mentioned in the Holy Quran. According Farooqi (1992,
1998) and Chughtai (2000) the word ‘Sidar’ does not mean Zizyphus
sp. (ber in urdu) but it
is used for another plant Cedrus sp.(Labnani deodar in hindi and urdu). While the
commentators of the Quran and Ahadith consider it Zizyphus mauritiana (ber
or beri). We also consider it to be Zizyphus mauritiana (ber). As there exists confusion, therefore, it needs further
investigation. DISCUSSION Plants are
an essential component of the universe. Human beings have used plants as
medicines from the very beginning of time. After various observations and
experimentations many medicinal plants were identified as a source important
medicine, therefore treatment through these medicinal plants, began in the
early stage of human civilization (Malik, 2001). In Islam diseases are cured in two
ways, first the cure of soul through prayers and second the cure of ailments
through medicines (Waize, 2000). Cure of diseases through medicinal plants always a salient feature of
Islamic teaching and preaching. Islamic medicine started from Hazrat Adam (A.S.) and was completed at Hazrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) but search
and compiling of these medicines is still continued through out the world.
Al-Quran describes the importance of plants in
different Surahs as in Al-Momeenoon,
Al-Rehman, Al-Bakra and
Al-Inaam. Our Holy Prophet (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wassallam) used
and recommended medicinal plants for various ailments and food (Nasr, 1976). Miswak (tooth brush) is one of the
products of Salvadora persica as
mentioned in its ethnobotanical uses. The use of Miswak is one of the sunnah of
the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam) himself
used it frequently at various occasions such as when entering and leaving the home, reciting the Holy Qur'an,
before and after sleeping, on Fridays, when Fasting and before
every prayer. Abu Hurairah
(R) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam) said:
'Was it not for my fear of imposing a difficulty on my Ummah
I would have ordered that the Miswaak be used for
every Salaat (A’zami,
1985a). The dentists and gastro-entrologists agree
that oral hygiene helps in the prevention of most of the diseases of oral
cavity and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). According to the report of the
research done in Cape Town S. Africa Miswak
contains large amount of tannic acid (Tannins). The tannins prevent the
adherence of the bacteria to the teeth. It is an established fact that Streptococcus viridans
attacking the heart valves and damaging them come from the mouth. So the use
of Miswak is a preventive measure against many
diseases of the teeth, G.I.T. and heart (Khan et al., 1994). The research conducted recently by dentist Almas
K. proved that Chlorhexidine gluconate
“Bacterial plaque is solely
responsible for the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. There
different mechanical and chemical methods available for the maintenance of
oral health through plaque control. Tooth brushes andmiswak
(chewing sticks) are widely used for the mechnical
removal of plaque. Chlorhexidine gluconate ( The aim of this study was to
evaluate the effect Chemically the air dried stem bark
of Salvadora persica is
extracted with 80% alcohol and then extracted with ether and run through exhaustive
chemical procedures. This showed that it is composed of: ·
Trim ethyl amine ·
An alkaloid which may be salvadorine ·
Chlorides ·
High amount of fluoride and silica ·
Suphur ·
Vitamin C ·
Small amount of Tannins, saponins,
flavenoids & ·
Sterols (El-Mostehy et al., ND) Tamarix aphylla is
another plant species mentioned in the Holy Quran
and Ahadith. Our holy prophet and his companions
used to eat its leaves in the absence of any other food materials and also
used cup made up of tamarisk wood for drinking purposes. Hazrat Khalid
bin Umair Advi (R)
narrates that once during a journey with Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) we had nothing to eat except
leaves of tamarisk (Farooqi, 1998). Hazrat Annus
(R) Said (pointing towards a cup) that he took drinking substances(e.g honey, water, milk etc.) in that cup and gave to Rasulullah (Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallam). In some
books it has been mentioned that the cup was made up of tamarisk’s wood (Chughtai, 2000). The traditional
medicinal uses of Tamarix aphylla indicates that the bark and gall of
the plant are astringent, aphrodisiac and tonic. They are used for the
treatment of hepatitis, eczema and other skin diseases, syphilis and scaly
skin conditions (Arshad and Rao,
2001). Fumigation of the
leaves having germicidal effect and used in cold and flue. Decoction of the
leaves is used in tetanus. Ground bark is used as poultice on wounds (Shahidullah, 2000). The result indicates that Tamarix aphylla is traditionally used in Dera Ismail Khan District
(research area) for the treatment of Jaundice, bad evils,
rheumatism, wound and abscesses. The fruit of Zizyphus mauriiana
is very useful for human beings. It is eaten in fresh and dried form in ·
Muhammad Ahmad Zahbi
(Rahmat ullah Alayhi) narrates the following hadith: The first fruit eaten by Hazrat Adam (Alayhi Sallam) after His
descent on the earth, was the fruit of the Zizyphus ( Chughtai, 2000). ·
Hazrat Abdullah
bin Abbas narrates that Rasulullah
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) said, Ibn Al-Qaeem considers its
fruit very useful for the treatment of diarrhea and weakness of the stomach (Ghaznavi, 2000).
The folkmedicinal uses of Zizyphus mauritiana in It is concluded
that herbal medicines are being widely used in the world because of better
cultural accept ability, least injurious with none or much reduced side
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