Shat’ Shoot

The little offshoot of a plant or a palm tree. The process of shooting is cited in the Quran as Allah, Glory is to Him, says: “as a plant which produces its offshoots”. The Arabic verb shata’a refers to a plant that produces its offshoots. The Arabic term shat’u ash-shajar means those shoots that spring around the stem of a tree, from the same parent shoot. Its plural form is ashtaa’ and the verb ashta’a is used to mean a tree shooting its branches. 

Wheat, barley, and rice produce shoots as they branch out of the same root. Allah, Glory is to Him, says: (Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.) [Al-Fath: 29].