Surah Al-Muminoon (23) — Ayah 20

(Ayah 20) ➊ { وَ شَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِنْ طُوْرِ سَيْنَآءَ :} "Tur" is the name of a specific mountain. "Tur" also means mountain. Some have said that Tur is a mountain on which trees grow. "Sina" is the name of this mountain, just as one says "Jabal Uhud," or {’’جَبَلَا طَيْءٍ‘‘} (the two mountains of Banu Tay). Imam Tabari said: "And We produced for you the tree that comes out from Tur Sina, meaning from that mountain on which trees grow. The intended meaning is the olive tree." In "I‘rab al-Qur’an wa Bayanuhu" by Darwish, it is stated: "Sina is a peninsula, whose northern boundary is the Mediterranean Sea, to the west is the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Suez, to the east is Palestine and the Gulf of Aqaba, and to the south it ends at 'Ras Muhammad' in the Red Sea. Sina is a mountain located in the south of the Sinai Peninsula, and the tree intended is the olive tree. It is specifically associated with Tur Sina because its original homeland is there, from where it was transferred to other places." After mentioning dates and grapes, the olive is mentioned specifically due to its numerous benefits. Syria and Palestine are its original homeland, and the olives from there are of very high quality. In Syria, olives are so abundant that they grow naturally by houses, fields, and along roadsides, etc. The lifespan of this tree is very long. Some commentators have written: "It lasts for one and a half to two thousand years, so much so that by observing the height and spread of some trees in Palestine, it is estimated that they have existed since the time of ‘Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him." (And Allah knows best)

In Surah An-Nur, Allah Almighty has called it a blessed tree, and in praise of its oil, He said: « يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيْٓءُ وَ لَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ » [ النور : ۳۵ ] "Its oil almost glows, even if fire has not touched it." And in Surah At-Tin, He swore by it.

➋ { تَنْۢبُتُ بِالدُّهْنِ وَ صِبْغٍ لِّلْاٰكِلِيْنَ :} See the blessing of Allah and the perfection of His power in the olive: it is nourished by water and grows carrying a treasure of oil and a kind of relish for those who eat. {’’ صِبْغٍ ‘‘} is indefinite, so it is translated as "a kind of relish," because there are countless relishes, and some are even more excellent and delicious. (Biqai) Its oil is used for cooking, as a relish, for applying to the body, and for other necessities, and its fruit is also eaten in the form of pickles. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: [ كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ وَادَّهِنُوْا بِهِ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ ] [ ترمذي، الأطعمۃ، باب ما جاء في أکل الزیت : ۱۸۵۱۔ صححہ الألباني في الصحیحۃ : ۳۷۹ ] "Eat olives and use its oil, for it is from a blessed tree." Ibn Hibban said: "Dates, grapes, and olives are mentioned specifically for this reason: {’’لِأَنَّهَا أَكْرَمُ الشَّجَرِ وَ أَجْمَعُهَا لِلْمُنَافِعِ‘‘} "Because they are superior to all other trees and are the most comprehensive in benefits." [ البحر المحیط ]

➌ Although only the olive is mentioned here, by implication all those trees and plants are included from which humans obtain their oils and which are used as necessary accompaniments to food.

20-1. By this is meant the olive tree, whose oil is used as oil and whose fruit is used as a relish. The curry is called صِبْغٍ, "color," because bread, when dipped in curry, is as if it is being colored. طُوْرِ سَیْنَآءَ (mountain) and its surrounding areas are especially the region of its finest quality produce.

20. And (with the same water) there grows a tree from Mount Sinai [23] which produces oil and a condiment for those who eat.

[23]
The Olive Tree and Its Benefits:

By this tree is meant the olive tree. Syria and Palestine are the native lands of this tree, and Mount Sinai is mentioned because it is a famous place in that region. The age, height, and spread of this tree are very great, similar to the banyan tree in our area. Due to its wide spread, many of its branches come back down to the ground and become its support. A plentiful amount of oil is obtained from the olive tree. From here, this oil is sent to most places in the world. Medically, this oil is very beneficial, and many people pickle its fruit. Its oil is also used as a condiment and as a substitute for ghee in food. Due to its general usefulness, Allah Almighty has sworn by the olive in Surah "At-Tin."