Sidr leaves, aka Zyziphus Spina-Christi or Lote tree, aka Christ’s thorn, Jujube or Nabkh tree are known to have great medicinal properties. The roots, fruits, leaves and honey of this ancient tree have been used in treating various diseases, health problems, beauty, skin care and much more for centuries.
The Quran describes a beautiful tree in the section Al-A’raf, or the “Heavenly Book” where it says “Then he was taken to a Sidratul Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Extremity) which had branches like the ears of elephants and fruits that were enormous earthenware jars containing many indescribable colours. It had four rivers running by its side, and its fruit was sweet and nourishing. (Surah Al-Najm)”
Several scholars including Maalam al-Din Ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) and Malik Muhyi al-Din Ibn Taymi (may Allah have mercy on him) have mentioned the significance of the mystical tree in the Quran. The former has also said that the Prophet Muhammad received Divine summons and had God’s Vision near a celebrated tree which in Arabic is called Sidrah.
The later has said that the Sidrah in the Quran refers to a particular mystical fig tree, which has a similar appearance as the jujube. The first Shii Imam and a leading scholar in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, fiqh and mysticism, Ibn al-Arabi (may Allah be pleased with him) also references this tree in his lengthy Futuhat al-makkiyyya. Al-Suyuti in his book Tibb al-nabi (Medicine of the Prophet) also mentions this figurative fig tree. lote tree leaves