Growth form: Saffron is a perennial or an annual corm.
Order: Asparagales
Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Crocus L.
Species:Crocus sativus L.
Citation in the Quran:
The word Za’afran “saffron” is not mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
Citation in the Hadit:
Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Umar: A person stood up and asked, “O Allah’s: Apostle! What clothes may be worn in the state of Ihram?” The Prophet replied, “Do not wear a shirt or trousers, or any headgear (e.g. a turban), or a hooded cloak; but if somebody has no shoes he can wear leather stockings provided they are cut short off the ankles, and also, do not wear anything perfumed with Wars or saffron, and the Muhrima (a woman in the state of Ihram) should not cover her face, or wear gloves.” Sahih Al Bukhari, book of the penalty of hunting while on Pilgrimage.
Habitat & Distribution:
Saffron is native to Southwest Asia and it was first cultivated in ancient Greece. The Arabs had known the saffron from their commercial trips to the Indian continent even before Islam.
