Growth form: Camphor tree "Kafur" is a large evergreen tree. There are various species named camphor; Dryobalanops sumatrensis (J.F.Gmel.) Kosterm and Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl.
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Dryobalanops C.F. Gaertn.
Species: Dryobalanops aromatica C.F. Gaertn.
Citation in the Quran:
Kafur is mentioned once in the Holy Qur’an. “Verily, Al-Abrar (the pious believers of Islamic Monotheism), shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with (water from a spring in the paradise called) Kafur” Surat Al-Insan, verse# 5
Citation in the Hadit:
Narrated by Um ‘Atiyya: Allah’s Apostle came to us and we were giving a bath to his (dead) daughter and said, “Wash her three, five or more times with water and Sidr and sprinkle camphor on her at the end; and when you finish, notify me.” So when we finished, we informed him and he gave us his waist-sheet and told us to shroud her in it. Aiyub said that Hafsa narrated to him a narration similar to that of Muhammad in which it was said that the bath was to be given for an odd number of times, and the numbers 3, 5 or 7 were mentioned. It was also said that they were to start with the right side and with the parts which were washed in ablution, and that Um ‘Atiyya also mentioned, “We combed her hair and divided them in three braids.” Sahih Al Bukhari, book of the funerals.
Habitat & Distribution:
Camphor is native to Asia where they’re widely grown in China and Japan for the commercial harvesting of camphor gum, while it contains volatile chemical compounds in all plant parts.
