Holy Botany Pistacia atlantica

The only Living Sahabi Tree, The Blessed Tree 

“The Prophet sitting under this tree, and its reacting to the Prophet makes the tree the only living terrestrial witness to the Prophet , what we would call in Arabic a sahabi.” -H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad 

Description Deciduous tree up to 7 m, with a dense, subglobose crown. Leaves impair-pinnate; leaflets 2-5 paired, ovate-oblong or lanceolate. Fruits paniculate, 5-8x5-6 mm Flowering March-April. Habitat Dry hillsides, edge of field, up to 1,500 m. Distribution Irano-Turanian, extended to North Africa. Use Expectorant, sudorific, heart stimulant (fruits); sterility, colic, tonic, digestive, depilatory, gums strengthening, resolutive for furuncles (resin); expectorant, diuretic; asthma, chest diseases (galls); masticatory, to purify the breath (resin); stomach disorders (crushed nut of the fruit); cough, cold (external friction with oil from fruits); intestinal disorders (decoction of leaves and galls, in Morocco), antiseptic for wounds (resin).  In Iraq, the seeds are used for tanning and for soap-making. In the past, this species was considered to grow only in North Africa, where it had been described, while, in the Middle East, it was not distinguished from Pistacia terebinthus L., to which it is really very close. A famous product from this tree was the "turpentine of Chio", which is in fact the resin, very well known for its therapeutic value, and exported even to Europe, especially during the nineteenth century. The resin is produced by particular cells which secrete it into special ducts crossing the cortical parenchyma. The leaves of Pistacia atlantica often have galls, which are rich in tannins and are used to tan skins, beside their therapeutic use. Additional Information Notwithstanding its scientific name, this species has its primary origin not on the Atlantic Ocean, but in the Iranian Plateau, from where it migrated to reach North Africa to the East and Palestine to the South. Pistacia atlantica was a common tree in the past in the whole area, but since it was also almost the only tree it was super-exploited for its wood, and is now localized on some mountains such as Jebel Bel‘ās, which derives its name from the tree.

Both the Qu'ran and the Bible were birthed in the Middle East. As Scriptures that reflect their cultural origin among nomadic and agrarian societies, plants naturally play a prominent role in the imagery of these books. Much more than providing food, fiber, and shelter, plants are used for a variety of divine impressions. For example, in the Qu'ran, food plants are often viewed as the gracious provision of God. In the Bible, religious cult involves the use of prescribed plants and plant products, e.g., incense and anointing oil.

A good example is the use of trees as figures of righteousness and stability. This "good tree/bad tree" "good person/bad person" image is prominent in both books. Tree worship may sound like a practice restricted to the ancients but it is still possible to see trees in rural areas of Syria and Jordan decorated in honor to a dead person, i.e., a good person is like a good tree. Most of the trees that have been decorated in this way are buttim (Pistacia atlantica).

The Story

Off the heavily treaded trucking route, in the northern desert of Jordan, between Azraq and Rweished is a road left behind by long-gone empires that leads to a site of prayer, reflection and refuge.

During the Prophet Mohammad’s journey to Damascus with his uncle, Abu Talib, the caravan faced a dangerous trek through the vast stretches of desert between Mecca and Damascus, and is believed to have stopped over near what is now Safawi. It is here in a site called Biqawiyya that Mohammad - as young boy - rested under the shade of a pistachio tree, which still stands today, according to residents.

As if by some miracle, the tree has a small water source at its base, standing defiant against the barren desert and blazing sun, with scores of cloth ribbons tied to its branches by worshippers coming to pray.

Now walled off as part of a complex built and operated by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, the tree stands with outstretched branches, seemingly welcoming all who make the journey.

Some believe the tree to be the place where the Prophet Mohammad met with the Christian monk Bahira, an encounter documented by Islamic historians. Upon seeing Mohammad under the tree, he declared him a prophet and told Abu Talib to take care of him and protect him, according to Islamic historians.

However, many people believe the encounter took place at Kastram Mafaa, in present-day Umm Rassas, or at Bosra in Syria, and that the Biqawiyya tree was merely a resting stop for young Mohammad on his way to Damascus.

Some dispute the age of the tree itself, claiming that the pistachio tree is not over 1,500 years old as local residents claim.

No matter what story is attached to it, Biqawiyya is truly a sight to behold, a miracle in any sense.