Trees are one of the many expressions of the mercy and generosity of Allah (swt) upon mankind. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) took hold of my hand and said, "Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, created the earth on Saturday, the mountains on Sunday, the trees on Monday, the things entailing labour on Tuesday, light on Wednesday, He spread out animals of all kinds on Thursday, and created Adam in the afternoon on Friday, and it was the last hour of Friday between the afternoon and the night." Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1854; Book 18, Hadith 47 & Sahih Muslim 2789; Book 52, Hadith 10
About 1,400 years ago in a desert, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), introduced a fundamental green-guide, divinely gifted, in the form of the Qur’an in hopes to save humanity and Earth, by teaching the middle path of balance. Today the world is plagued with ecological catastrophes such as pollution, desertification, deforestation, flooding, mass consumption, starvation, and obesity, and a promising and substantial solution has yet to be found in our current world leaders. As Muslims we have an obligation to face these issues just as much as world leaders do. We are all custodians of this earth, and we must collectively start treating the Earth as such not only for its preservation, but for our own salvation. Allah (swt) says our catastrophes are self-inflicted:
ظَهَرَ الۡفَسَادُ فِى الۡبَرِّ وَالۡبَحۡرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتۡ اَيۡدِى النَّاسِ لِيُذِيۡقَهُمۡ بَعۡضَ الَّذِىۡ عَمِلُوۡا لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَرۡجِعُوۡنَ
Evil has become rife on the land and at sea because of men's deeds; this in order that He may cause them to have a taste of some of their deeds; perhaps they will turn back (from evil) - (Surah 30:41)
Allah (swt) makes it clear in this ayah that life situations are directly related to people’s actions, and that when corruption finds its way into people’s hearts, faiths and deeds, both land and sea also become corrupted, to the extent that corruption becomes the order of the day: “Corruption has become rife on land and sea in consequence of what people’s hands have wrought.” (Ayah 41) This spreading of pollution across the land and sea does not happen by coincidence. It is a manifestation of the working of Allah’s laws. The reason being: “so He will let them taste the consequences of some of their doings.” (Ayah 41) They will thus suffer the consequences of the evil they do and the corruption they spread. It is hoped that when they have done so “they might mend their ways.” (Ayah 41) They might resolve to stop corruption and return to faith and its course of action which sanctions the doing of only what is good.
Allah (swt) repeats the same in other Ayats as well:
وَاِذِ اسۡتَسۡقَىٰ مُوۡسٰى لِقَوۡمِهٖ فَقُلۡنَا اضۡرِب بِّعَصَاكَ الۡحَجَرَؕ فَانۡفَجَرَتۡ مِنۡهُ اثۡنَتَا عَشۡرَةَ عَيۡنًاؕ قَدۡ عَلِمَ کُلُّ اُنَاسٍ مَّشۡرَبَهُمۡؕ کُلُوۡا وَاشۡرَبُوۡا مِنۡ رِّزۡقِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تَعۡثَوۡا فِىۡ الۡاَرۡضِ مُفۡسِدِيۡنَ
And recall when Moses prayed for water for his people and We replied: “Strike the rock with your staff.” And there gushed out from it twelve springs and each tribe knew its drinking-place. (Then you were directed): “Eat and drink of the sustenance provided by Allah, and do not go about acting wickedly on earth, spreading mischief.” (Surah 2:60)
وَابۡتَغِ فِيۡمَاۤ اٰتٰٮكَ اللّٰهُ الدَّارَ الۡاٰخِرَةَ وَلَا تَنۡسَ نَصِيۡبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنۡيَا وَاَحۡسِنۡ كَمَاۤ اَحۡسَنَ اللّٰهُ اِلَيۡكَ وَلَا تَبۡغِ الۡـفَسَادَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الۡمُفۡسِدِيۡنَ
Seek by means of the wealth that Allah has granted you the Abode of the Hereafter, but forget not your share in this world and do good as Allah has been good to you and do not strive to create mischief in the land, for Allah loves not those who create mischief." (Surah 28:77)
Few more ayahs that help us understand Allah's creation and its importance :
اَلَمۡ تَرَ اَنَّ اللّٰهَ اَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَلَـكَهٗ يَنَابِيۡعَ فِى الۡاَرۡضِ ثُمَّ يُخۡرِجُ بِهٖ زَرۡعًا مُّخۡتَلِفًا اَ لۡوَانُهٗ ثُمَّ يَهِيۡجُ فَتَـرٰٮهُ مُصۡفَرًّا ثُمَّ يَجۡعَلُهٗ حُطَامًا ؕ اِنَّ فِىۡ ذٰ لِكَ لَذِكۡرٰى لِاُولِى الۡاَلۡبَابِ
Do you not see that Allah sent down water from the sky, then made it flow on earth as springs and streams and rivers and then with it He brings forth vegetation of various hues; then this vegetation ripens and dries up, turning yellow, where after He reduces it to broken straw? Surely there is a lesson in this for those endowed with understanding (Surah 39:21)
وَاَلۡقٰى فِى الۡاَرۡضِ رَوَاسِىَ اَنۡ تَمِيۡدَ بِكُمۡ وَاَنۡهٰرًا وَّسُبُلًا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تَهۡتَدُوۡنَۙ
And He has placed firm mountains on the earth lest it should move away from you, and has made rivers and tracks that you may find your way (Surah 16:15)
وَهُوَ الَّذِىۡ يُرۡسِلُ الرِّيٰحَ بُشۡرًۢا بَيۡنَ يَدَىۡ رَحۡمَتِهٖ ؕ حَتّٰۤى اِذَاۤ اَقَلَّتۡ سَحَابًا ثِقَالًا سُقۡنٰهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَاَنۡزَلۡنَا بِهِ الۡمَآءَ فَاَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهٖ مِنۡ كُلِّ الثَّمَرٰتِؕ كَذٰلِكَ نُخۡرِجُ الۡمَوۡتٰى لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَذَكَّرُوۡنَ
And it is He Who sends forth winds as glad tidings in advance of His Mercy, and when they have carried a heavy-laden cloud We drive it to a dead land, then We send down rain from it and bring forth therewith fruits of every kind. In this manner do We raise the dead that you may take heed. (Surah 7:57)
From these ayahs it is evident that nature plays a dominant role in our existence on this planet. It is imperative to nurture our nature to reap those benefits that are bestowed upon us. Anas bin Malik narrates that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him."
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَغْرِسُ غَرْسًا، أَوْ يَزْرَعُ زَرْعًا، فَيَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ طَيْرٌ أَوْ إِنْسَانٌ أَوْ بَهِيمَةٌ، إِلاَّ كَانَ لَهُ بِهِ صَدَقَةٌ ". وَقَالَ لَنَا مُسْلِمٌ حَدَّثَنَا أَبَانُ، حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسٌ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2320; Book 41, Hadith 1; Vol. 3, Book 39, Hadith 513
This is a direct call to action emphasizing that the benefits and reward we gain from planting trees are plentiful and can be everlasting. Planting a tree -
supplies the most basic necessity of life - oxygen
prevents potential erosion and promotes soil fertility
reduce floods and droughts by entrenching the rain and refilling underground aquifers
Similarly, A number of trees are mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, some of which will be discussed below:
1. The date palm tree
Good tree to which Allah likened the word of Tawhid when it is established in the sincere heart, where it bears fruits of good deeds that strengthen Iman (faith).
اَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ اللّٰهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ اَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَّفَرۡعُهَا فِى السَّمَآءِۙ
Do you not see how Allah has given the example of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky (Surah 14:24)
For the good word of truth is indeed like a great firm tree, yielding its fruits, solid, unaffected by wind and undisturbed by the storm of evil. It cannot be uprooted by evil tyranny, even though there may be times when it seems to be exposed to grave danger. As it stands high, it looks on evil, injustice and tyranny from above, even though it sometimes seems to the short-sighted that evil squeezes it into a narrow corner. Its fruits are yielded time after time, because its seeds grow within good souls, generation after generation.
An evil word of falsehood is like a foul tree which may spread its branches high and wide, and which may seem to some people to be greater and stronger than the good tree of truth. Nevertheless, it is weak and hollow. Its roots are easily pulled out, as though they stretch on the surface of the earth. One day, it will definitely be uprooted, and then it will have no stable means of existence.
Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree." Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, "What is that tree, O Allah's Messenger (pbuh) ?" He replied, "It is the date-palm tree."
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ شَجَرَةً لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَإِنَّهَا مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِ، فَحَدِّثُونِي مَا هِيَ ". فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي. قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ، فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ قَالُوا حَدِّثْنَا مَا هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ ".
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 61; Book 3, Hadith 3; Vol. 1, Book 3, Hadith 58
2. Olive Tree
The purity of which Allah set forth as a parable.
اَللّٰهُ نُوۡرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ ؕ مَثَلُ نُوۡرِهٖ كَمِشۡكٰوةٍ فِيۡهَا مِصۡبَاحٌ ؕ الۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِىۡ زُجَاجَةٍ ؕ اَلزُّجَاجَةُ كَاَنَّهَا كَوۡكَبٌ دُرِّىٌّ يُّوۡقَدُ مِنۡ شَجَرَةٍ مُّبٰـرَكَةٍ زَيۡتُوۡنَةٍ لَّا شَرۡقِيَّةٍ وَّلَا غَرۡبِيَّةٍ ۙ يَّـكَادُ زَيۡتُهَا يُضِىۡٓءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡهُ نَارٌ ؕ نُوۡرٌ عَلٰى نُوۡرٍ ؕ يَهۡدِى اللّٰهُ لِنُوۡرِهٖ مَنۡ يَّشَآءُ ؕ وَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّٰهُ الۡاَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِؕ وَاللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عَلِيۡمٌ ۙ
Allah says in the Quran: Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light (in the Universe) may be likened to a niche wherein is a lamp, and the lamp is in the crystal which shines in star-like brilliance. It is lit from (the oil) of a blessed olive tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil well nigh glows forth (of itself) though no fire touched it: Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. Allah sets forth parables to make people understand. Allah knows everything.
وَشَجَرَةً تَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ طُوۡرِ سَيۡنَآءَ تَنۡۢبُتُ بِالدُّهۡنِ وَصِبۡغٍ لِّلۡاٰكِلِيۡنَ
And We also produced the tree which springs forth from Mount Sinai, containing oil and sauce for those that eat. (Surah 23:20)
Ata’ ibn Abi Asid, said: “Allah’s Messenger said (pbuh): ‘Eat [olive] oil, and anoint with it, for it is from a blessed tree!’” (Grade:Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلانَ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ، وَأَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالا: حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عِيسَى، عَنْ رَجُلٍ مِنْ أَهْلِ الشَّامِ، يُقَالُ: لَهُ عَطَاءٌ، عَنْ أَبِي أَسِيدٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ، وَادَّهِنُوا بِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ.
Reference : Ash-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyah 156; Book 25, Hadith 7
3. The Gourd Tree
The tree which Allah caused to grow for Yunus (as) for food and healing.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): "And, verily, Yunus was one of the Messengers … Then a (big) fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of those who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly until the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick, and We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him." [Surah Al-Saffat 37:139, 142-146]
The Mufassirin (commentators) said: The gourd (al-Yaqtin) is a kind of pumpkin. Some of them described the benefits of the pumpkin, such as:
it grows quickly
it provides shade
it has large, smooth leaves
it keeps flies away and
its fruit provides good nourishment: it can be eaten raw or cooked, and its skin may be eaten too.
It is known that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) liked this kind of pumpkin and used to look for it on the plate of food. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
4. The great tree in heaven where our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saw his father Ibrahim (as)
Samurah bin Jundub reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said, describing his vision: "Then we went up until we reached a green garden, in which there was a great tree, with an old man and children at its base, and another man near the tree, trying to light a fire in front of him. They took me up to that tree and into a house; I have never seen any more beautiful than that house. In it there were men, old men, youths, women and children. Then they brought me out and took me up to the tree and into another house, even better than the first one. In this house there were old and young men. I said: ‘You have shown me around tonight; tell me about what I have seen.’ They said, ‘Yes… the old man at the foot of the tree was Ibrahim (as), and the children around him were the children of mankind…"
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1386; Book 23, Hadith 138; Vol. 2, Book 23, Hadith 468
5. The Lote Tree
by which the Prophet (pbuh) saw Jibril when he was taken up into the heavens . Allah says in the Quran:
وَلَقَدْ رَآهُ نَزْلَةً اُخْرَی
عِندَ سِدْرَةِ الْمُنْتَهَی
عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ الْمَأوَی
إِذْ يَغْشَی السِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَی
مَا زَاغَ الْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَی
لَقَدْ رَأی مِنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِ الْكُبْرَی
"And indeed he (Muhammad (pbuh) saw him (Jibril) at a second descent (i.e., another time), near Sidrat al-Muntaha (the lote tree of the utmost boundary, beyond which none can pass), near it is the Paradise of Abode, when that covered the lote-tree which did cover it! The sight (of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)) turned not aside (right or left), nor did it transgress beyond (the) limit (ordained for it). Indeed, he did see of the Greatest Signs of his Lord (Allah)." (Surah Al-Najm 53:13-18)
The ayah translated here as "when that covered the lote-tree which did cover it" is explained by the Hadith narrated by Imam al-Bukhari from Abu Dharr, in which the Prophet (pbuh) said: "It was covered in colors, I do not know what they are…" According to a Hadith narrated by Abu Sa’id and Ibn ‘Abbas, he said: "It was covered by the angels." According to a report narrated by Muslim, he said: "When it was covered with whatever covered it by the command of Allah, it changed, and none of the creation of Allah could describe its beauty."
In the famous Hadith about Mi’raj (ascent into heaven), the Prophet (pbuh) said that when Jibril took him up into the heavens, he went through from one heaven to the next by the command of Allah, until he reached the seventh heaven. He said: "Then I was taken to Sidrat al-Muntaha; its fruits were like the pitchers of Hajar and its leaves were like the ears of elephants. He said, ‘This is Sidrat al-Muntaha’…" (Reported by Bukhari & Tirmidhi).
The reason why it is called Sidrat al-Muntaha is stated in the Hadith narrated from Ibn Mas’ud by Imam Muslim: "There everything that comes up from earth stops (Yantahi), and it is taken from there, and there everything that comes down stops, and it is taken from there." Al-Nawawi said: It is called Sidrat al-Muntaha because the knowledge of the angels stops at that point, and no one has gone beyond it except the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).
It is the tree at which the knowledge of every Prophet who has been sent and every angel who is near to Allah stops. What lies beyond it is unseen; no one knows it except Allah or the one to whom He tells it. It was said that this is the ultimate destination of the souls of the martyrs.
6. The Tree of Tooba in Paradise
Anas narrated that the Prophet said: “Indeed in Paradise there is a tree under whose shade a rider can travel for one hundred years without stopping. Recite if you wish: And in shave extended. And water flowing constantly.” (Grade: Sahih)
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَشَجَرَةً يَسِيرُ الرَّاكِبُ فِي ظِلِّهَا مِائَةَ عَامٍ لاَ يَقْطَعُهَا وَإِنْ شِئْتُمْ فَاقْرَءُوا : ( وَظِلٍّ مَمْدُودٍ * وَمَاءٍ مَسْكُوبٍ ) " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ .
Reference: Jamia At-Tirmidhi Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 3293; Book 47, Hadith 3604
The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Tooba is a tree in Paradise, one hundred years big. The clothes of the people of Paradise are made from its calyces (outer casing of its flowers)." (Reported by Ibn Hibban; see also Sahih al-Jami’, 3918)
‘Utbah ibn ‘Abdin al-Salami said: "A Bedouin came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about al-Hawd (the cistern). He mentioned Paradise, then the Bedouin asked him, ‘Is there fruit there?’ He said, ‘Yes, and there is a tree called Tooba.’ The Bedouin asked, ‘What tree of this world does it resemble?’ He said, ‘It does not resemble any tree of your land. Have you been to Syria?’ He said, ‘No.’ He said, ‘It resembles a tree in Syria called al-Jawzah (walnut) which grows on one trunk then spreads its branches higher up.’ The Bedouin asked, ‘How big is its trunk?’ He said, ‘If one of the camels of your people was to go around it, it would not complete one circuit before its neck broke of old age and exhaustion. The Bedouin asked, ‘Are there grapes there?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He asked, ‘How big is a bunch?’ He said, ‘The distance a crow could fly without stopping in a month.’ He asked, ‘How big is one grape?’ He said, ‘Does your father ever slaughter a he-goat from his flocks?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘And does he skin it and give the hide to your mother, and say, "Make me a bucket"?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ The Bedouin asked, ‘Is one grape big enough to satisfy me and my family?’ He said, ‘Yes, and your whole tribe.’" (Reported by Imam Ahmad).
7. Pledged under the Tree
The tree under which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted his Companions’ pledge of allegiance unto death and not to desert him.
لَـقَدۡ رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَنِ الۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ اِذۡ يُبَايِعُوۡنَكَ تَحۡتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِىۡ قُلُوۡبِهِمۡ فَاَنۡزَلَ السَّكِيۡنَةَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَاَثَابَهُمۡ فَتۡحًا قَرِيۡبًا ۙ
Allah was much pleased with the believers when they swore fealty to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts. So He bestowed inner peace upon them and rewarded them with a victory near at hand. (Surah 48:18)
Narrated Ibn Umar: When we reached (Hudaibiya) in the next year (of the treaty of Hudaibiya), not even two men amongst us agreed unanimously as to which was the tree under which we had given the pledge of allegiance, and that was out of Allah's Mercy. (The sub narrator asked Naf'i, "For what did the Prophet (pbuh) take their pledge of allegiance, was it for death?" Naf'i replied "No, but he took their pledge of allegiance for patience.")
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا جُوَيْرِيَةُ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ رَجَعْنَا مِنَ الْعَامِ الْمُقْبِلِ فَمَا اجْتَمَعَ مِنَّا اثْنَانِ عَلَى الشَّجَرَةِ الَّتِي بَايَعْنَا تَحْتَهَا، كَانَتْ رَحْمَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ. فَسَأَلْتُ نَافِعًا عَلَى أَىِّ شَىْءٍ بَايَعَهُمْ عَلَى الْمَوْتِ قَالَ لاَ، بَايَعَهُمْ عَلَى الصَّبْرِ.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 2958; Book 56, Hadith 169; Vol. 4, Book 52, Hadith 205
8. The Crying Tree
The tree next to which the Prophet (pbuh) used to preach
Jabir (ra) said: There was a trunk of a date-palm tree upon which the Prophet (pbuh) used to recline while delivering Khutbah (sermon). When a pulpit was placed in the mosque, we heard the trunk crying out like a pregnant she-camel. the Prophet (pbuh) came down from the pulpit and put his hand on the trunk and it became quiet.
Another narration is: The Prophet (pbuh) used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday (to give the Khutbah). Then an Ansari woman or man said, "O Messenger of Allah! Shall we make a pulpit for you?" He replied, "If you wish." So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, the Prophet (pbuh) sat on the pulpit [to deliver the Khutbah (sermon)] and the trunk of the date- palm on which he used to recline cried out as if it would split asunder.
Another narration is: It cried like a child and the Prophet (pbuh) descended (from the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of Dhikr near it."
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1831; Book 18, Hadith 24 & Al-Bukhari
9. Allah spoke to Musa(as)
The tree from which Allah spoke to Musa (upon whom be peace) and sent him as a Prophet
فَلَمَّاۤ اَتٰٮهَا نُوۡدِىَ مِنۡ شَاطِیٴِ الۡوَادِ الۡاَيۡمَنِ فِى الۡبُقۡعَةِ الۡمُبٰرَكَةِ مِنَ الشَّجَرَةِ اَنۡ يّٰمُوۡسٰٓى اِنِّىۡۤ اَنَا اللّٰهُ رَبُّ الۡعٰلَمِيۡنَ ۙ
But when he came to the fire, a cry was heard from the right bank of the valley, from a tree in the hallowed ground: "O Moses, verily I am Allah, the Lord of all creatures of the Universe." (Surah 28:30)
10. The forbidden tree
The tree from which Allah forbade our father and mother (Adam and Hawwa) to eat
وَيٰۤاٰدَمُ اسۡكُنۡ اَنۡتَ وَزَوۡجُكَ الۡجَـنَّةَ فَـكُلَا مِنۡ حَيۡثُ شِئۡتُمَا وَلَا تَقۡرَبَا هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُوۡنَا مِنَ الظّٰلِمِيۡنَ
0 Adam! Live you and your spouse in the Garden and both of you eat from it wherever you will, but never approach the tree or you shall become wrongdoers.' (Surah 7:19)
فَوَسۡوَسَ اِلَيۡهِ الشَّيۡطٰنُ قَالَ يٰۤاٰدَمُ هَلۡ اَدُلُّكَ عَلٰى شَجَرَةِ الۡخُلۡدِ وَمُلۡكٍ لَّا يَبۡلٰى
But Satan seduced him, saying: "Adam! Shall I direct you to a tree of eternal life and an abiding kingdom? (Surah 20:120)
"So He misled them with deception. Then when they tasted of the tree, that which was hidden from them of their shame (private parts) became manifest to them and they began to stick together the leaves of Paradise over themselves (in order to cover their shame). And their Lord called out to them (saying): ‘Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you: Verily Shaytan is an open enemy to you?’" (Surah 7:22)
11. The tree in the righteous vision
that was narrated concerning the Sajdah (prostration) to be performed when reciting certain Ayat of the Quran
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: “I was with the Prophet (pbuh), and a man came to him and said: ‘Last night while I was sleeping, I saw that I was praying towards the base of a tree. I recited (an Ayah of) prostration and prostrated, and the tree prostrated when I did, and I heard it saying: Allahummah-tut anni biha wizran, waktub li biha ajran, waj’al-ha li ‘indaka dhukhran (O Allah, reduce my burden of sin thereby, reward me for it and store it for me with You).’ Ibn ‘Abbas said: “I saw the Prophet (pbuh) recite (an Ayah of) prostration and then prostrate, and I heard him saying in his prostration something like that which the man had told him the tree said.” (Grade: Hasan)
اللَّهُمَّ احْطُطْ عَنِّي بِهَا وِزْرًا وَاكْتُبْ لِي بِهَا أَجْرًا وَاجْعَلْهَا لِي عِنْدَكَ ذُخْرًا.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1053; Book 5, Hadith 251; Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1053
12. The two trees
which came together to conceal the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he was answering the call of nature
It was narrated from Ya'la bin Murrah that his father said: "I was with the Prophet on a journey, and he wanted to relieve himself. He said to me: 'Go to those two small date-palm trees and tell them: "The Messenger of Allah orders you to come together.'" So they came together and he concealed himself behind them, and relieved himself. Then he said to me: 'Go to them and tell them: "Go back, each one of you, to your places.'" So I said that to them and they went back." (Grade : Hassan)
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنِ الْمِنْهَالِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ يَعْلَى بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فِي سَفَرٍ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَقْضِيَ حَاجَتَهُ فَقَالَ لِي " ائْتِ تِلْكَ الأَشَاءَتَيْنِ " . - قَالَ وَكِيعٌ يَعْنِي النَّخْلَ الصِّغَارَ . قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الْقِصَارَ - " فَقُلْ لَهُمَا إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَأْمُرُكُمَا أَنْ تَجْتَمِعَا " . فَاجْتَمَعَتَا فَاسْتَتَرَ بِهِمَا فَقَضَى حَاجَتَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ لِي " ائْتِهِمَا فَقُلْ لَهُمَا لِتَرْجِعْ كُلُّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْكُمَا إِلَى مَكَانِهَا " . فَقُلْتُ لَهُمَا فَرَجَعَتَا .
Reference : Book 1, Hadith 73; Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 339; Book 1, Hadith 363
13. The cedar tree
to which Allah likened the Kafir (disbeliever)
Narrated Abu Hurairah: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The parable of the believer is like the plant; the wind does not stop causing it to sway, and the believer does not stop suffering trials. The parable of the hypocrite is that of a cedar tree, it does not give in until it is cut down." (Grade: Sahih)
Reference: Jamia At-Tirmidhi Vol. 5, Book 42, Hadith 2866; Book 44, Hadith 3105
The scholars said: The meaning of this Hadith is that the believer suffers a great deal, in his physical health, with his family and with his wealth, but this is an expiation for his sins and will raise his status. The Kafir, however, suffers little, but even if something happens to him it will not expiate for his sins at all; he will come with a full burden of sin on the Day of Resurrection.
14. Foul-smelling fruits Tree
Trees (plants) with foul-smelling "fruits" after eating which the Muslims are forbidden to come to the mosque
Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who has eaten garlic or onion should keep away from us or our mosques." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] The narration in Muslim is: "He who has eaten onion or garlic or leek should not approach our mosque, because the angels are also offended by the strong smells) that offend the children of Adam." [Muslim]
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1703; Book 17, Hadith 193
15. The tree of Zaqqum, which is the food of the people of Hell
This tree is described in the Quran as: "… the accursed tree (mentioned) in the Quran" [al-Isra’ 17:60].
"Then, moreover, verily, - you the erring-ones, the deniers (of Resurrection)! You verily will eat of the trees of Zaqqum. Then you will fill your bellies therewith, and drink boiling water on top of it, so you will drink (that) like thirsty camels! That will be their entertainment on the Day of Recompense!" [Surah Al-Waqi’ah 56:51-56]
"Verily, the tree of Zaqqum, will be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil, it will boil in the bellies, like the boiling of scalding water. (It will be said): ‘Seize him and drag him into the midst of blazing Fire, then pour over his head the torment of boiling water, taste you (this)! Verily, you were (pretending to be the mighty, the generous! Verily! This is that whereof you used to doubt!’" [Surah Al-Dukhan 44:43-50]
"Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)? Truly We have made it (as) a trial for the Dhalimin (polytheists, disbelievers, wrongdoers, etc.). Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire, the shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of Shayatin (devils); truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies). Then, thereafter, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell." [Surah Al-Saffat 37:62-68]
16. The Gharqad Tree
The trees (all except the Gharqad) which will show the Jews to the Muslims so that they may kill them during the great battle at the end of time
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The Hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. The Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and trees will say: ‘O Muslim, O slave of Allah! There is a Jews behind me, come and kill him!’ (All the trees will say this except for the Gharqad (box-thorn), for it is one of the trees of the Jews.’" (Reported by Imam Ahmad; it is a Sahih Hadith).
Rest Allah knows it best.
Source: Quran, Hadith, In the shade of the Quran, Islam QA, Al Talib (newsmagazines)