The Sidr Tree: The Sacred Tree Behind Our Name
The Sidr tree (Arabic: السدر, botanical: Ziziphus spina-christi) holds a place in Islamic tradition that few other plants can match. It is referenced four times in the Holy Quran across three surahs. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ instructed its leaves to be used in the ritual purification of his own daughter after her passing — preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari, the most authentic collection of Hadith. The Quran describes a Sidr tree at the utmost boundary of the seventh heaven — Sidrat al-Muntaha — beyond which the angels do not pass. For our brand, the Sidr tree represents the meeting point of the sacred and the practical: a living tree honoured across fourteen centuries that also produces some of the most prized honey, leaves, and seeds in traditional Muslim and Mediterranean cultures.
This article explains where the Sidr tree appears in the Quran and Hadith, its place in Islamic tradition, its traditional uses, and why we chose Sidr as the first word in our brand name. Today the name carries our first product, a cold-pressed Ethiopian black seed oil rooted in the same Islamic botanical heritage.
The Short Answer
- The Sidr tree (Ziziphus spina-christi) is mentioned four times in the Quran — in Surah An-Najm (53:14, 53:16), Surah Saba (34:16), and Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:28)
- The most significant reference is to Sidrat al-Muntaha — the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary in the seventh heaven, witnessed by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during the Mi'raj (Night Ascension)
- The Prophet ﷺ instructed Sidr leaves to be used in the ritual washing of his own daughter — narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah (RA) in Sahih al-Bukhari (1253-1254)
- He ﷺ also instructed a new Muslim to perform ghusl with water and Sidr — narrated in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (605)
- Sidr trees produce Sidr honey (Yemeni Sidr particularly prized), edible jujube-like fruits, antimicrobial leaves used in traditional purification, and durable wood
- For Sidr & Stone, the name represents the connection between our products and the sacred botanical heritage of the Muslim world
The Sidr Tree in the Quran
Surah An-Najm (53:13-18) — Sidrat al-Muntaha
The most exalted reference to the Sidr tree appears in Surah An-Najm ("The Star"), in verses describing the Prophet's ﷺ Mi'raj — the Night Ascension when he was taken through the heavens. The Quran states:
"And indeed he saw him at another descent, at the Sidrat al-Muntaha (Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). Near it is the Garden of Refuge. When that which covered the Sidr tree covered it. The sight (of the Prophet ﷺ) turned not aside, nor did it transgress. He certainly saw of the greatest signs of his Lord."
(Quran 53:13-18, summarised translation)
The Sidrat al-Muntaha is described in tafsir literature, drawing on authentic Hadith, as a real tree in the seventh heaven marking the utmost boundary — the point beyond which created knowledge does not pass. The Salafi scholar Sheikh Abdul-Rahman al-Sa'di (d. 1376 AH / 1957 CE), in his celebrated tafsir Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman, wrote that the Sidrat al-Muntaha:
"Is a very large tree (shajarah) beyond the seventh heaven. It is named the Sidrat al-Muntaha because there terminates at it whatever ascends from the earth and whatever descends from heaven, including what comes down from God, including wahy (divine inspiration) and other things besides."
Classical tafsir scholars including Ibn Kathir (d. 774 AH / 1373 CE) in his celebrated Tafsir al-Quran al-'Azim and Al-Qurtubi (d. 671 AH / 1273 CE) in his Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Quran drew on authentic Hadith of the Mi'raj to describe the Sidrat al-Muntaha as a tree of unimaginable size and beauty, witnessed by the Prophet ﷺ at the boundary of created existence.
Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:27-28) — Sidr in Paradise
The Quran describes the rewards of the People of the Right Hand (the believers entering Paradise), including thornless Sidr trees:
"And the People of the Right Hand — what about the People of the Right Hand? They will be amid thornless Sidr trees..."
(Quran 56:27-28, summarised translation)
The Arabic phrase is sidrin makhdud (سدر مخضود), translated as "thornless Sidr trees" — meaning Sidr trees with their natural thorns removed. The reference is significant because earthly Sidr trees are characterised by their thorns; the Paradise version is purified of that earthly hardship, symbolising the ease and bliss of the Hereafter.
Surah Saba (34:16) — Worldly Sidr trees
The fourth Quranic reference is in Surah Saba, in the context of the people of Saba who turned away from gratitude to Allah and had their lush gardens replaced with sparse vegetation:
"But they turned away [from gratitude], so We sent against them the flood of the dam, and We replaced their two gardens with two gardens producing bitter fruit, tamarisks, and something of a few thorny Sidr trees."
(Quran 34:16, summarised translation)
Here Sidr trees represent worldly scarcity — sparse, thorny trees replacing the abundance the people of Saba had been given. The contrast with the thornless Sidr of Paradise (Surah Al-Waqi'ah 56:28) is striking: the same tree appears in two states, one representing earthly hardship and the other Paradise's perfection.
The Sidr Tree in the Hadith
The washing of the Prophet's ﷺ daughter
One of the most significant Hadith mentioning Sidr is narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah (RA), an Ansari woman who participated in the ritual washing of one of the Prophet's ﷺ deceased daughters (in most narrations, Zaynab RA):
"Allah's Messenger ﷺ came to us when his daughter died and said, 'Wash her three times, five times, or more if you see it necessary, with water and Sidr, and then apply camphor or some camphor at the end; and when you finish, notify me.' So when we finished it, we informed him and he gave us his waist-sheet and told us to shroud the dead body in it."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 1253-1254, Sahih Muslim 939)
This Hadith establishes the Sunnah of using Sidr leaves in the ritual washing of the deceased — a practice that continues in Muslim communities globally. The reason given by classical scholars is that Sidr has natural antimicrobial properties, cleanses the body thoroughly, and leaves a mild pleasant scent — practical considerations underlying what becomes a Sunnah practice.
The new Muslim's ghusl
A related Hadith narrates that the Prophet ﷺ instructed Qais ibn Asim (RA) — upon his accepting Islam — to perform ghusl (ritual bathing) with water and Sidr:
"Qais ibn Asim narrated that he accepted Islam and the Prophet ﷺ ordered him to perform ghusl with water and Sidr."
The Hadith is recorded in multiple collections of authentic Hadith and establishes Sidr's place in ritual purification — extending beyond just the washing of the deceased to the purification of new Muslims entering the faith.
The Sidr at the boundary of the heavens
Multiple Hadith on the Mi'raj describe the Sidrat al-Muntaha as the Prophet ﷺ witnessed it. From Sahih al-Bukhari, narrated by Malik ibn Sa'sa'ah (RA):
"Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat al-Muntaha. Its fruits were like the jars of Hajar (a place known for its large pottery), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants. He said: 'This is Sidrat al-Muntaha.' I saw four rivers flowing from it — two manifest and two hidden..."
(Sahih al-Bukhari 3207 and elsewhere; the full Mi'raj narrations are extensive)
The Hadith literature on Sidrat al-Muntaha is rich and detailed, with multiple authentic narrations providing different aspects of the description.
The Sidr Tree Itself
Botanical identity
The tree referenced in the Quran and Hadith — known in Arabic as Sidr (سدر) and in English as the Christ's-thorn jujube or lote tree — has the botanical name Ziziphus spina-christi. It is closely related to Ziziphus jujuba, the common jujube. Both belong to the Rhamnaceae family. A hardy tree of arid regions, Ziziphus spina-christi can grow up to around 18 metres tall, though most mature specimens are considerably smaller.
Where Sidr grows
Sidr trees grow throughout the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, the Horn of Africa, and parts of North Africa and South Asia. They thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions, surviving where many other trees cannot. Sidr trees can live for over 200 years, growing slowly into mature specimens with characteristically gnarled trunks and thorny branches.
What Sidr trees produce
- Sidr honey: Particularly prized when produced from Sidr blossoms in Yemen's Hadhramaut region. Yemeni Sidr honey is considered among the most valuable honeys in the world — see our Sidr vs Manuka honey guide
- Edible fruit: Small jujube-like fruits, sweet and traditionally eaten fresh or dried
- Leaves for purification: Used in ritual washing as established by Hadith
- Hardwood: The tree's dense wood is durable and traditionally used for construction
- Medicinal applications: Various parts have traditional medicinal uses across Muslim and broader Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cultures
Sidr in Traditional Muslim Cultures
Across regions
The Sidr tree has been honoured continuously across Muslim civilisations:
- Arabian Peninsula: Sidr trees mark traditional gathering places, mosques, and tomb sites; the tree's longevity makes it a connection to past generations
- Yemen: Hadhramaut region produces some of the world's most prized Sidr honey; the tree is central to traditional beekeeping
- Egypt and the Levant: Sidr trees grow alongside other traditional plants in mixed agriculture and natural landscapes
- Horn of Africa: Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia have native Sidr populations; honey production and traditional medicinal use continue
- South Asia: Pakistan and India have Sidr trees used in traditional medicine and food
In daily life
For Muslims in regions where Sidr trees grow, the tree has been part of daily life for centuries:
- Shading communal gathering points in villages
- Sources of seasonal honey
- Leaves harvested for ritual washing
- Fruit picked and shared in season
- Trees marking property boundaries and family land
- Children playing in the shade of trees their grandparents knew
The tree carries continuity — generation after generation under the same Sidr.
Why We Chose Sidr for Our Name
Connection to sacred botanical heritage
Sidr & Stone began as a brand focused on premium black seed oil — a product also deeply rooted in Islamic tradition (see our Black Seed Oil in Islam guide). Both Sidr and Habbatus Sauda (black seed) appear in authentic Hadith and broader Islamic tradition as honoured plants. Naming the brand after the Sidr tree acknowledges the deep botanical heritage of the Muslim world — one of which black seed is part.
The aspiration the name carries
The Sidr tree represents qualities we aspire to in everything we do:
- Longevity — Sidr trees live for centuries, growing slowly into something solid and enduring
- Resilience — They thrive in difficult conditions where lesser plants fail
- Generosity — They provide honey, fruit, shade, wood, and leaves; everything from a single tree
- Connection to tradition — They link contemporary practice to the time of the Prophet ﷺ and beyond
- Sacredness without ostentation — Honoured in scripture but plain and unremarkable in appearance
"Stone" in our name
"Stone" represents the cold-pressing tradition — stones have been used historically for crushing seeds, pressing oils, and grinding traditional substances. The combination of "Sidr" (the living sacred botanical heritage) and "Stone" (the practical traditional method of extraction) represents what we make: traditional substances honoured in Islamic and broader heritage, prepared using time-tested mechanical methods, delivered as premium contemporary products.
Future direction
Starting with black seed oil reflects our origins, but the Sidr name points to a broader vision. Future Sidr & Stone products may include other items rooted in the same sacred botanical heritage — Sidr honey from Yemen, olive oil from the Mediterranean, dates, and other traditional foods of the Muslim world. The brand is built to honour the complete tradition, not just one ingredient.
What Sidr Trees Need to Survive
For those interested in the practical realities of Sidr cultivation:
- Arid and semi-arid climates — natural adaptation to dry conditions
- Well-draining soil — sand or rocky soil suits them well
- Drought tolerance — established trees survive long dry periods
- Minimal pesticides needed — the natural thorns and hardy nature protect the tree
- Generations to mature — full productive maturity takes decades, not years
- Bees and pollinators — for the honey, bees pollinating Sidr blossoms produce the prized Sidr honey
The trees are not commercially cultivated in dense plantations — they grow in semi-wild conditions, often on family land passed down across generations, or in protected natural habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sidr tree?
The Sidr tree (Ziziphus spina-christi, also called Christ's-thorn jujube or lote tree) is a thorny tree native to the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, the Horn of Africa, and parts of North Africa and South Asia. It is referenced four times in the Quran and multiple times in the Hadith, holding significant place in Islamic tradition.
Where is the Sidr tree mentioned in the Quran?
The Sidr tree is mentioned four times across three surahs: twice in Surah An-Najm (53:14 and 53:16) referring to Sidrat al-Muntaha, once in Surah Saba (34:16) referring to thorny worldly Sidr trees, and once in Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:28) referring to thornless Sidr trees in Paradise.
What is Sidrat al-Muntaha?
Sidrat al-Muntaha (سدرة المنتهى) means "the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary." According to authentic Hadith of the Mi'raj (preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim), it is a magnificent tree in the seventh heaven marking the absolute boundary of created knowledge, beyond which the angels do not pass. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ saw it during his Night Ascension.
Did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ use Sidr?
Yes — the Prophet ﷺ instructed Sidr leaves to be used in the ritual washing of his own daughter after her passing, as narrated by Umm 'Atiyyah (RA) in Sahih al-Bukhari (1253-1254) and Sahih Muslim (939). He also instructed a new Muslim to perform ghusl with water and Sidr, narrated in Jami' at-Tirmidhi (605). These Hadith establish Sidr's place in Islamic ritual purification.
What does the Sidr tree produce?
Sidr trees produce: small jujube-like edible fruits, leaves used in ritual purification, hardwood used for construction, and flowers that bees use to produce Sidr honey (Yemeni Sidr honey is particularly prized). Various parts have traditional medicinal uses across multiple cultures.
Why is Sidr honey so special?
Sidr honey is produced from bees that pollinate Sidr tree blossoms. It has a distinctive rich, complex flavour and exceptional traditional reputation. Yemeni Sidr honey from the Hadhramaut region is considered among the most valuable honeys in the world. See our Sidr vs Manuka comparison.
Is the Sidr tree the same as the jujube tree?
The Sidr tree (Ziziphus spina-christi) is closely related to but botanically distinct from the common jujube (Ziziphus jujuba). Both belong to the same genus and family, with similar fruits and uses. The Sidr specifically is the species referenced in the Quran and Hadith.
Why did Sidr & Stone choose this name?
The name connects the brand to the broader sacred botanical heritage of the Muslim world. Sidr represents continuity, longevity, generosity, and sacredness without ostentation — qualities the brand aspires to in everything it produces. "Stone" complements this with the tradition of mechanical cold-pressing for extracting oils. Together, the name reflects the brand's grounding in traditional values combined with practical craftsmanship.
Final Thoughts
The Sidr tree carries a weight in Islamic tradition that few plants can match. Mentioned four times in the Quran — including the exalted Sidrat al-Muntaha at the boundary of the seventh heaven witnessed by the Prophet ﷺ during the Mi'raj — and established in authentic Hadith as part of ritual purification practice, the tree has been honoured continuously for fourteen centuries. From the prized honey of Yemen's Hadhramaut to the leaves used in washing the deceased across the Muslim world, the Sidr tree has been a living connection between contemporary Muslim practice and the time of the Prophet ﷺ.
For Sidr & Stone, the name represents the connection we aspire to embody: traditional substances rooted in Islamic heritage, prepared with care, delivered as premium contemporary products. Our cold-pressed Ethiopian black seed oil is the first product carrying this name — but the broader vision encompasses the wider tradition the Sidr tree represents.
Whether you're drawn to our products for their documented health benefits, for their Sunnah significance, or for both, the name we chose reflects what we hope to be: rooted in tradition, practical in delivery, committed to quality, and connected to a heritage that runs through centuries of Muslim and broader civilisational life.
Our cold-pressed Ethiopian black seed oil is independently tested at 2.67% thymoquinone via Analytice (an ISO-certified French laboratory) — sourced from Ethiopian highland seeds after evaluating 36 suppliers, cold-pressed below 40°C, packaged in matte black UV-protective glass, halal certified with 10% of profits donated to charity in line with the Islamic principle of sadaqah. Learn more about our quality assurance and independent lab testing.
Shop Sidr & Stone Cold-Pressed Ethiopian Black Seed Oil — Verified 2.67% Thymoquinone →
References — Primary Quranic Sources
1. Qur'an, Surah An-Najm (Chapter 53), verses 13-18.
2. Qur'an, Surah Saba (Chapter 34), verse 16.
3. Qur'an, Surah Al-Waqi'ah (Chapter 56), verses 27-28.
References — Primary Hadith Sources
4. Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1253-1254, Book 23 (Kitab al-Jana'iz / Book of Funerals). Compiled by Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (d. 256 AH / 870 CE). Available at sunnah.com/bukhari/23.
5. Sahih Muslim, Hadith 939, Book of Funerals. Compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj (d. 261 AH / 875 CE).
6. Jami' at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 605. Compiled by Imam Muhammad ibn Isa at-Tirmidhi (d. 279 AH / 892 CE).
7. Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 3207 and elsewhere — Mi'raj narrations describing Sidrat al-Muntaha.
References — Classical Tafsir
8. Ibn Kathir, Imad ad-Din Isma'il. Tafsir al-Quran al-'Azim (Commentary on the Magnificent Quran). Original text c. 14th century CE. Multiple modern editions and translations.
9. Al-Qurtubi, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Ahmad. Al-Jami' li-Ahkam al-Quran ("The Compendium of the Rulings of the Quran"). Original text c. 13th century CE.
10. As-Sa'di, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman ibn Nasir (d. 1376 AH / 1957 CE). Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam al-Mannan (commentary on Surah An-Najm 53:14).
References — Modern Scientific (Botanical)
11. Asgarpanah J, Haghighat E. (2012). Phytochemistry and pharmacologic properties of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 6(31), 2332-2339.
12. Saied AS, Gebauer J, Hammer K, Buerkert A. (2008). Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd.: a multipurpose fruit tree. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 55, 929-937.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes about the Sidr tree's place in Islamic tradition and its botanical and traditional uses. Hadith translations are rendered based on standard scholarly translations available through sunnah.com and related authoritative sources. The references to the Quran and Hadith are drawn from the authenticated collections of Sunni Islam, with classical tafsir commentary from mainstream Sunni and Salafi sources.