Plants of the Quran: Significance of ‘Olives’ In Islam

Olives are the gift from heaven (Jannah) to mankind. In addition to being one of the best natural remedies and cure for several ailments, olives are also referred to as the plant of the Quran, along with figs, date-palm, and ginger.

Here are six instances the word ‘olive’ is mentioned in the Holy Book of Allah, attesting to its utmost importance:


1) Surah Al-An’am: 99

“And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees - of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.”


2) Surah Al-An’am: 141

“And He it is who causes gardens to grow, [both] trellised and untrellised, and palm trees and crops of different [kinds of] food and olives and pomegranates, similar and dissimilar. Eat of [each of] its fruit when it yields and give its due [zakāh] on the day of its harvest. And be not excessive. Indeed, He does not like those who commit excess.”


3) Surah An-Nahl: 11

“He causes to grow for you thereby the crops, olives, palm trees, grapevines, and of all the fruits. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who give thought.”


4) Surah An-Nur: 35

“Allāh is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp; the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allāh guides to His light whom He wills. And Allāh presents examples for the people, and Allāh is Knowing of all things.”


5) Surah ‘Abasa: 26-29

“Then We broke open the earth, splitting [it with sprouts], And caused to grow within it grain And grapes and herbage And olive and palm trees.”


6) Surah At-Tin: 1-4

“By the fig and the olive And [by] Mount Sinai And [by] this secure city [i.e., Makkah], We have certainly created man in the best of stature.”

May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala bless us all with happiness and the best of health. Ameen.