What is Ziziphus spina-christi in Islam?
Sidr tree, Ziziphus spina-christi, is of extreme importance in Islamic history. It has been mentioned in the Quran as Sidrat al-Muntaha, or Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary, which grows in the seventh heaven. It thereby gains symbolic value in Islamic eschatology. In Arabic-speaking regions, Ziziphus lotus, and alternatively Ziziphus jujuba, are closely associated with the lote-trees (sidr) which are mentioned in the Quran, while in Palestine, it is rather Ziziphus spina-christi that is called sidr.Ziziphus spina-christi, also known as Jujube, is an evergreen tree commonly found in mountainous regions. Sidr fruit is rich in nutrition, and its fruit and leaves were used in ancient Egyptian food preparation and cultural practices. Sidr is also renowned for its honey.The Sidr Tree is mentioned in the holy Quran as one of the plants of Paradise and is referenced to emphasise its beauty, strength and grandeur. The tree was used during the time of King Solomon and the Pharaohs used it to build palaces and temples.Sahih al-Bukhari (1253) 🌿 Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi) is a sacred tree native to Madinah and the Arabian region. It has traditionally been used for ghusl, wudu, and personal cleansing, and is well known in Tibb an-Nabawi for its benefits for hair, skin, and protection.
What are the spiritual benefits of Ziziphus spina-christi?
The Christ-thorn (Zizphus Spina-Christi) tree and items made from the tree and its extracts have been associated with the Crown of Thorns and the Crucifixion of Christ. As a relic touched by Christ, it is considered to have healing power and protective nature. Historians and archeologists have discovered that the Crown of Thorns was made from branches of the Ziziphus spina-christi tree, commonly known as Christ’s Thorn Jujube.