Growth form: Arak is an evergreen, shrub or small tree.
Order: Salvadorales
Family: Salvadoraceae
Genus: Salvadora L.
Species: Salvadora persica L.
Citation in the Quran:
The word Khamt “fruits of toothbrush tree” is mentioned once in the Holy Qur’an. Allah The Most Sublime Says; “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 garden (rows) into “gardens” producing bitter fruit, and tamarisks, and some few (stunted) Sidr.” Surat Sabaa, verse# 16
Citation in the Hadit:
The Toothbrush tree has been mentioned in the Hadith & Sunnah (Sayings & Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH) as Siwak. Narrated by Abu Huraira, Allah’s Apostle said, “If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak for every prayer.” Sahih Al Bukhari, the book of Friday prayer.
Habitat & Distribution:
Arak grows naturally in the desert of the Arabian Peninsula. Toothbrushes from this plant are of widespread use in the Muslim countries.
