QBG Plants

The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG) contains more than 60 species of plants cited in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.‎ While some of these plants are common and widely used, others are ‎less well known. This is where the Qur’anic Botanic Garden – a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development -comes in,as a center specialized in preserving these plants, raising awareness about them, highlighting their characteristics, and explaining them in an accessible waythrough the prism of modern science. QBG collected the plant species that were cited in the Holy Qur’an and the Noble Hadith, and divided them into three groups according to the environments and natural habitats in which they grow. They were documented using their scientific names, as well as their local names, in an inventory that is considered the first of its kind. QBG then publishedan illustrated book – the first of its kind – that includes all of the plants cited in the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s Hadith, as an essential reference for researchers and other interested parties.‎ ‎

Click here to view the illustrated book from the publications section of the Qur’anic Botanic Garden, ‎‎or click here to view a table containing all of the plants cited in the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.

The Plants Cited in the Holy Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet‎

QBGis home to some 60 plant species, 19 of which have been cited in the Holy Qur’an, and 54 of which appear in the Prophet’s Sunnah and the Hadith. Fifteen of these plants are frequently cited in both the Holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s Hadith. The Prophet’s Sunnah alone cited 37 plant species which are not cited in the Holy Qur’an. With the exception of the plants of the People of Fire (Zaqum and Darei), the Qur’an alone mentioned five species of plants not cited in the Hadith of the Prophet, namely, figs, pumpkin, pitted talcum, lentils, and ginger.‎

The following is a table of plants that are cited in both the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith

List of QBG plants

List of ecological groups

Acacia

Scientific Name: Acacia oerfota (Forssk.) Schweinf.

Arabic Name: العُرفُط

English Name: Acacia

Growth form: Acacia oerfota is a perennial deserty shrub....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by ‘Aisha: Allah’s Apostle was fond of honey...

Aloe

Scientific Name: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.

Arabic Name: الصَّبر

English Name: Aloe

Growth form: Aloe is a perennial herb. Stem-less or very short-...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Nubaih b. Wabb reported: We went with Aban b. Uthman (in ...

Aloewood / Agarwood

Scientific Name: Aquilaria malaccensis Lam

Arabic Name: الألَُوَّة / العود

English Name: Aloewood / Agarwood

Growth form: Aquilaria is a large evergreen tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

by Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle said, “The first grou...

Apple

Scientific Name: Malus domestica Borkh. nom

Arabic Name: التُفَّاح

English Name: Apple

Growth form: The apple tree is a deciduous tree, generally stan...

Citation in the Quran:

Tofah “Apple” is not...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari: “Abu Talib departed to ...

Balm of Gilead tree

Scientific Name: Commiphora gileadensis (L.) C. Chr.

Arabic Name: الْبَشَامِ / بلسان مكي

English Name: Balm of Gilead tree

Growth form: Bisham "Balm of Gilead" is a dioecious small tree ...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Bisahm is not mentioned...

Citation in the Hadith:

We prayed Friday, then the people joined together around ...

Banana

Scientific Name: Musa X paradisiaca L. (pro sp.)

Arabic Name: الطلْح المنْضُود / المَوْز

English Name: Banana

Growth form: Banana is a large herbal plant....

Citation in the Quran:

Talh is referred to once in the ...

Citation in the Hadith:

Banana is not mentioned in the Hadith.

...

Barley

Scientific Name: Hordeum vulgare L.

Arabic Name: الشَّعِير

English Name: Barley

Growth form: Barley is annual cereal grass....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Ibn Umar: Allah’s Apostle enjoined the paym...

Bitter gourd / Colocynth

Scientific Name: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

Arabic Name: الْحَنْظَل

English Name: Bitter gourd / Colocynth

Growth form: Colocynth is a perennial, procumbent herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Musa: The Prophet said, “And the exampl...

Black cumin / Black seeds

Scientific Name: Nigella sativa L.

Arabic Name: الحَبَة السَوْداء

English Name: Black cumin / Black seeds

Growth form: Black cumin is an annual herbaceous erect plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle sa...

Bottle gourd/Calabash

Scientific Name: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.

Arabic Name: اليَقْطين

English Name: Bottle gourd/Calabash

Growth form: Bottle gourd "Yaqtin" is an annual climber or a vi...

Citation in the Quran:

Yaqtin is mentioned once in the ...

Citation in the Hadith:

The plant is not mentioned in the Hadith .

...

Buxus/ Katam hair dye

Scientific Name: Buxus dioica Forssk.

Arabic Name: الكَتَم

English Name: Buxus/ Katam hair dye

Growth form: Katam is an evergreen shrub or small tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by AbuDharr: The Prophet (Peace and Blessing be ...

Camel grass

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon schoenanthus Spreng.

Arabic Name: الإذْخر

English Name: Camel grass

Growth form: Cymopogon is perennial aromatic grass....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas: “The Prophet said, ‘Allah h...

Camel grass/ Desert bunchgrass

Scientific Name: Cymbopogon schoenanthus Spreng.

Arabic Name: الجَليل

English Name: Camel grass/ Desert bunchgrass

Growth form: Panicum is a desert perennial grass....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by ‘Aisha: When Allah’s Apostle reached Medi...

Camphor tree /Camphor Gum

Scientific Name: Dryobalanops aromatica CF Gaertn.

Arabic Name: الكافور

English Name: Camphor tree /Camphor Gum

Growth form: Camphor tree "Kafur" is a large evergreen tree. Th...

Citation in the Quran:

Kafur is mentioned once in the H...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Um ‘Atiyya: Allah’s Apostle came to us an...

Cattail/ Bulrush

Scientific Name: Typha latifolia

Arabic Name: الحَفَأْ

English Name: Cattail/ Bulrush

Growth form: Cattail is an aquatic, perennial rhizomatous herb ...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Hazim: Sahl bin Sa’d As-Sa’idi, was a...

Christ thorn

Scientific Name: Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.

Arabic Name: السِّدْر

English Name: Christ thorn

Growth form: Christ thorn "Sidr" is a shrub, or evergreen tall ...

Citation in the Quran:

Sidr and its derivatives have be...

Citation in the Hadith:

Umm ‘Atiyya reported: the Apostle of Allah (may peace b...

Citron melon

Scientific Name: Citrus medica var. cedrata Risso

Arabic Name: الأُتْرُج / تُرُنْج

English Name: Citron melon

Growth form: Citron is a perennial shrub or tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Abu Musa narrated: The Prophet Muhammad PBUH said; “The...

Costus / Crepe ginger

Scientific Name: Cheilocostus speciosus (J. König) C.D. Specht

Arabic Name: القُسْط

English Name: Costus / Crepe ginger

Growth form: Kust root is a tropical perennial herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Anas; that he was asked about the wages of th...

Cumin

Scientific Name: Cuminum cyminum L.

Arabic Name: السَّنُوت / الكمون

English Name: Cumin

Growth form: Cumin plant is a small annual herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Umm Salamah: the Messenger of Allah peace be ...

Date palm tree

Scientific Name: Phoenix dactylifera L

Arabic Name: النَّخيل

English Name: Date palm tree

Growth form: The Date Palm is a perennial, dioecious tree (i.e ...

Citation in the Quran:

The Nakhl and its derivatives ap...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, “Among...

Desert thorn

Scientific Name: Astragalus spinosus (Forssk.) Muschl.

Arabic Name: القَتَاد

English Name: Desert thorn

Growth form: Desert thorn ”Qatad” is a perennial extremely ...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Ibn ‘Abbas reported that the Prophet said: “There wil...

Dyeing Acacia / Gum Arabica tree

Scientific Name: Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile

Arabic Name: القَّرْظْ

English Name: Dyeing Acacia / Gum Arabica tree

Growth form: Dyeing Acacia "Qarz" an evergreen Tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Qarz is mentined in the Hdith of Ibn Abass referring to t...

Edible Fig

Scientific Name: Ficus carica L.

Arabic Name: التّين

English Name: Edible Fig

Growth form: The edible fig plant is a deciduous shrub or small...

Citation in the Quran:

At-Tin or fig has been mentioned...

Citation in the Hadith:

Fig is not mentioned in the Hadith.

...

Garden beet/Beetroot

Scientific Name: Beta vulgaris L.

Arabic Name: السِّلْق

English Name: Garden beet/Beetroot

Growth form: Garden beet is an annual herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Sahl Bin Sad says: “We used to be happy on Fridays, for...

Garden leek

Scientific Name: Allium porrum L.

Arabic Name: الكُرَّاث

English Name: Garden leek

Growth form: Leek is an edible biennial plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Jabir reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) forbade eat...

Garlic

Scientific Name: Allium sativum L.

Arabic Name: الثُّوْم

English Name: Garlic

Growth form: Garlic is an annual, bulbous plant. ...

Citation in the Quran:

Fum or Garlic is mentioned one t...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet said, “Whoe...

Ginger/cooking ginger

Scientific Name: Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Arabic Name: الزَّنْجَبيل

English Name: Ginger/cooking ginger

Growth form: Ginger is a perennial herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Zanjabil “ginger&...

Citation in the Hadith:

Ginger is not mentioned in the Hadith .

...

Grape

Scientific Name: Vitis vinifera L.

Arabic Name: العِنَب

English Name: Grape

Growth form: Grape is a deciduous climber shrub or tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Inab “grape”...

Citation in the Hadith:

Raisins (Zabib); the dried grape is mentioned in Hadith. ...

Hell’s plant

Scientific Name: Datura stramonium

Arabic Name: الضريع

English Name: Hell’s plant

Growth form: Dhari' is a perennial low- shrub...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Dhari’ is mention...

Citation in the Hadith:

The plant is not mentioned in the Hadith .

...

Henna

Scientific Name: Lawsonia inermis L.

Arabic Name: الْحِنَّاء

English Name: Henna

Growth form: Henna is a shrub or small tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by AbuDharr: The Prophet (Peace and Blessing be ...

Lentil

Scientific Name: Lens culinaris Medik.

Arabic Name: العَدَس

English Name: Lentil

Growth form: Lentil is annual bushy herb with erect, semierect ...

Citation in the Quran:

Adas is mentioned one time in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

The plant is not mentioned in the Hadith .

...

Mustard

Scientific Name: Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J. Koch

Arabic Name: الخَرْدل

English Name: Mustard

Growth form: Mustard is an annual herb....

Citation in the Quran:

The word khardal “mustard&...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, “When...

Olive

Scientific Name: Olea europaea L.

Arabic Name: الزَّيْتون

English Name: Olive

Growth form: Olive is an evergreen tree....

Citation in the Quran:

Zaytun “olive” appea...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Apostle “Eat...

Onion

Scientific Name: Allium cepa L.

Arabic Name: البَصَل

English Name: Onion

Growth form: Onion is an annual, bulbous plant....

Citation in the Quran:

Basal or onion is mentioned one ...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: The Prophet said, “W...

Pencil pins / Mediterranean Cypress

Scientific Name: Cupressus sempervirens

Arabic Name: الأرَْزةَ

English Name: Pencil pins / Mediterranean Cypress

Growth form: Pencil pins or Mediterranean Cypress is an evergre...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Arzah “pencil pin...

Citation in the Hadith:

Ka’b reported that Allah’s Messenger (may peace be up...

Pomegranate

Scientific Name: Punica granatum L.

Arabic Name: الرُمَّان

English Name: Pomegranate

Growth form: Pomegranate is a deciduous shrub or small tree...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Rumman ” pomegran...

Citation in the Hadith:

An-Nawwas b. Sam’an reported that Allah’s Messenger (...

Pumpkin

Scientific Name: Cucurbita maxima Duchesne

Arabic Name: الدُبَّاء

English Name: Pumpkin

Growth form: Pumpkin is an annual, monoecious, trailing or clim...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Duba’a “pumpkin...

Citation in the Hadith:

Anas bin. Malik reported: A tailor invited Allah’s Mess...

Red Kamala / Kamala tree

Scientific Name: Mallotus philippensis

Arabic Name: الوَرْس

English Name: Red Kamala / Kamala tree

Growth form: Kamala plant "Warrs" is a small to medium- sized m...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: A person asked Allah’s Apostle...

Rice

Scientific Name: Oryza sativa

Arabic Name: الأرَزُ

English Name: Rice

Growth form: Rice is an annual cereal grass....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Ibn Umar: Allah’s Apostle said, “Once thr...

Safflower

Scientific Name: Carthamus tinctorius L.

Arabic Name: العُصْفُر

English Name: Safflower

Growth form: Safflower is an annual, herbaceous plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Ibn ‘Umar said “the Messenger of PBUH forbade the maf...

Saffron/Saffron crocus

Scientific Name: Crocus sativus L.

Arabic Name: الزَّعْفَران

English Name: Saffron/Saffron crocus

Growth form: Saffron is a perennial or an annual corm....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Za’afran “s...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by ‘Abdullah bin Umar: A person stood up and a...

Sesame

Scientific Name: Sesamum indicum L.

Arabic Name: السِّمْسِم

English Name: Sesame

Growth form: True Sesame is an annual herbaceous plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Jabir b. ‘Abdullah was sitting near a column narrating ...

Shampoo ginger / Pinecone ginger

Scientific Name: Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Sm.

Arabic Name: الزَّرْنَب

English Name: Shampoo ginger / Pinecone ginger

Growth form: Shampoo ginger is a perennial herb...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

‘A’isha reported that (one day) there sat together el...

Snake cucumber/ hairy cucumber

Scientific Name: Cucumis melo L. subsp. melo var. flexuosus (L.) Naudin

Arabic Name: القِثَّاء

English Name: Snake cucumber/ hairy cucumber

Growth form: Snake cucumber is an annual prostrate plant....

Citation in the Quran:

Qithaa is mentioned one time in ...

Citation in the Hadith:

‘Abdullah b. Ja’far reported: I saw Allah’s Messeng...

Spiny Fruit

Scientific Name: Neurada procumbens L.

Arabic Name: السَّعْدَان

English Name: Spiny Fruit

Growth form: Spiny fruit plant is a desert, annual creeping her...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Sa’adan has been mentioned in the Hadith described the ...

Spiny Zilla

Scientific Name: Zilla spinosa (L.) Prantl.

Arabic Name: الشُّبرُم

English Name: Spiny Zilla

Growth form: Spiny zilla is a spiny desert shrub....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Umm Salamah: the Messenger of Allah peace be ...

Sweet basil

Scientific Name: Ocimum basilicum L.

Arabic Name: الرَّيْحَان

English Name: Sweet basil

Growth form: Basil is an evergreen herbaceous perennial plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Ar-Rayhan “basil&...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Musa: The Prophet said, “and the exampl...

Sweet flag/Calamus

Scientific Name: Acorus calamus L.

Arabic Name: الذَّريرَة

English Name: Sweet flag/Calamus

Growth form: Sweet flag is a semi-aquatic herbaceous plant....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by ‘Aisha; during the last Pilgrimage Hajjat-a...

Tamarisk

Scientific Name: Tamarix aphylla (L.) H. Karst.

Arabic Name: الأثْل / الطَرْفاء

English Name: Tamarisk

Growth form: Tamarisk is an evergreen shrub or tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Athl “Tamarisk...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Abu Hazim: Some men came to Sahl bin Sad to a...

The tree of Jews

Scientific Name: Nitraria retusa (Forssk.) Asch

Arabic Name: الغَرْقد

English Name: The tree of Jews

Growth form: Nitraria retusa "Gharqad" is a salt-tolerant deser...

Citation in the Quran:

Gharqad is not mentioned in the ...

Citation in the Hadith:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (Peace Be Upon H...

Toothbrush tree

Scientific Name: Salvadora persica

Arabic Name: الآراك / السِّوَاك

English Name:

Growth form: Arak is an evergreen, shrub or small tree....

Citation in the Quran:

The word Khamt “fruits of ...

Citation in the Hadith:

The Toothbrush tree has been mentioned in the Hadith ...

True Senna

Scientific Name: Senna alexandrina

Arabic Name: السَّنَا / السَّنَامَكي

English Name: True Senna

Growth form: True senna "Sanna" is a perennial herbaceous under...

Citation in the Quran:

The word Sanna is not mentioned ...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Umm Salamah: the Messenger of Allah peace be ...

Truffle

Scientific Name: Terfezia

Arabic Name: الكَمْأَةُ

English Name: Truffle

Growth form: A truffle is not a true plant; it is the fruiting ...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Said bin Zaid:I heard the Prophet Saying, T...

Umbrella thorn

Scientific Name: Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne

Arabic Name: السَّمُر

English Name: Umbrella thorn

Growth form: Umbrella thorn is an armed desert tree or shrub....

Citation in the Quran:

The name of the plant is not men...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated Jubair bin Mutim:That while he was with Allahs A...

Umbrella Thorn

Scientific Name: Vachellia tortilis

Arabic Name: الطَلْح

English Name: Umbrella Thorn

Growth form: Umbrella thorn is a medium umbrella-shaped tree...

Citation in the Quran:

Talh “Umbrella thorn”...

Citation in the Hadith:

Fadalah Bin Ubaid Said, I heard Omar Bin Al-Khatab says, ...

Watermelon

Scientific Name: Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai

Arabic Name: البِطِيخ

English Name: Watermelon

Growth form: Watermelon is an annual trailing, vine-like flower...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Narrated by Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: The Apostle of Allah...

Wheat

Scientific Name: Triticum aestivum L.

Arabic Name: الحِنْطة - البُرّ

English Name: Wheat

Growth form: Wheat is an annual cereal grass....

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Abu Huraira (Allaah be pleased with him)reported Allaahs ...

White wormwood

Scientific Name: Artemisia herba-alba

Arabic Name: الثَّغَامَة / شيح

English Name: White wormwood

Growth form: White wormwood is a strongly aromatic, perennial s...

Citation in the Quran:

The plant is not mentioned in th...

Citation in the Hadith:

Jabir reported that when Abu Qubafa (father of Abu Bakr) ...

Loading

Map Image

Get In Touch

CLOSE