Arabic version of book by city botanist released at Qatar varsity
LUCKNOW: At an international conference on the need of vegetation in the Gulf countries, Arabic version of well-acclaimed book ‘Plants of Quran’ by Lucknow’s Dr Mohammad Iqtedar Husain Farooqi was released at the Central Hall of the Qatar University recently.
Dr Farooqi spoke on IndoArab trade relations with regard to prophetic plants and vegetable products.
He also explained the importance of plants for the survival of mankind and stressed on the need for covering the arid areas of Gulf with leguminous plants and trees.
Plants mentioned in the Quran have assumed much importance in the recent past because of the keen interest shown by Islamic countries and the proposed Quranic Botanical Gardens by the UNESCO.
The holy book specifically mentions date palm, which is known as ‘khajur’ in India. It is mentioned 20 times in Quran as ‘tree of life’ due to its various qualities- food, shelter, fuel and clothing. Olive (zaitun) also finds mention in Quran for its medicinal values.
Other plants mentioned in Quran are manna, grape, pomegranate, fig, cedar, tamarisk, tooth brush tree, henna, ginger, lentil, onion, garlic, cucumber, acacia, gourd, mustard, sweet basil, euphorbia, bitter thorn and blessed tree among others.
Many Arab nations have proposed to set up gardens having plants specifically mentioned in Quran. However, two West Asian cities-- Sharjah and Doha- have taken the lead in setting up the Quranic Botanical Gardens.
These gardens have a Lucknow connection as the two cities are setting up the gardens with guidance from two books written by former deputy director of National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, Dr Mohammad Iqtedar Husain Farooqi.
Farooqi, an expert in Quranic and prophetic plants, has penned 26 books, including two books based on plants mentioned in the Quran—‘Plants of Quran’ and ‘Medicinal Plants in the traditions of Prophet Mohammad’.
Based on Farooqi’s research, UNESCO had approved a project for establishment of Quranic Botanical Gardens in Islamic and West Asian countries.
In the Quran, several plants have been mentioned by their specific names, including black cumin, saffron, toothbrush tree, aloe, marjoram, fenugreek, senna and chicory among others, Farooqi had told HT last year.
He said that many plants mentioned in the Prophetic traditions were imported by Arab countries from India in the pre-Islamic era.