The Ocean of the Quran

A verse by verse explanation of The Ultimate Scripture

Al-Tīn – Verse 1

بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

وَالتّينِ وَالزَّيتونِ

By the fig and the olive.

EXEGESIS

Tīn and zaytūn mean fig and olive respectively. However, some commentators have taken them as references to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and a mountain in Damascus.‎[1] The reason why the fig and the olive are thought to be a reference to these two mountains could be because these fruits grow abundantly in Jerusalem and Damascus. And God swearing by these two locations could be due to the fact that many prophets were appointed from these areas.‎[2]

This verse is the only place in which the word tīn has been used in the Quran, whilst zaytūn has been mentioned six times. In addition, it has been indirectly referred to in 23:20: And a tree that grows on Mount Sinai which produces oil and a seasoning for those who eat.

EXPOSITION

In this short verse, God swears By the fig and the olive. The exegetes have considered a range of different meanings for these two words, two of which seem to be more likely. The first potential meaning is that the fig and the olive actually refer to fig and olive fruits, and that God is swearing by these fruits because of the numerous nutritional benefits they have.‎[3] For instance, fig is rich in natural sugars and minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper, which assist with digestion, vascular/heart function, and skin health, amongst many other benefits. Similarly, olive and its oil are very high in vitamin E and other powerful antioxidants, and these are good for the heart and may protect against osteoporosis and cancer, which is why God refers to it as a blessed olive tree in the Quran (24:35). However, what undermines this opinion is that almost all fruits and vegetables have similar nutritional benefits in one way or another.

The other potential meaning mentioned by many exegetes is that the fig and the olive refers to two mountains located in Damascus and Jerusalem respectively, and the reason for referring to them in this way could be because fig and olive grow very well in these two areas.‎[4] A possible reason why God swears by these two locations is because they were home to many messengers and prophets of God. This possibility is also in line with the oaths coming in the subsequent verses which refer to other holy places.‎[5]

Other possibilities have been suggested. It is reported from Ibn Abbas that the fig refers to Prophet Noah’s (a) mosque that he built on Mount Judi, and the olive refers to Jerusalem. Al-Ḍaḥḥāk‎[6] has suggested that the former refers to Masjid al-Ḥarām and the latter refers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.‎[7] A hadith from the Prophet suggests that the fig refers to Medina and the olive to Jerusalem.‎[8] Going through different views and reports, they all agree that the olive refers to the city of Jerusalem or its mosque, while the suggestions differ widely regarding the fig.

INSIGHTS FROM HADITH

  1. Prophet Muhammad (s) said: ‘Amongst all lands, God has chosen four, [then he recited] By the fig and the olive, by Mount Sinai, by this secure town: fig is Medina, olive is Jerusalem, Mount Sinai is the city of Kufa, and this secure town is Mecca.’‎[9]
  2. Imam al-Riḍā (a) said: ‘Fig removes the bad smell of the mouth, it strengthens the gums and bones, it helps with the growth of the hair, it alleviates pain, it removes the need for medication, and fig is the most similar of products to heavenly fruits.’‎[10]
  3. Imam al-Riḍā (a) said: ‘Olive oil is a good food; it makes the mouth smell good, removes sputum, refreshes the face, strengthens the nervous system, alleviates illness, pain, and weakness, and subsides anger.’‎[11]
  4. Prophet Muhammad (s) said: ‘Use [i.e. consume] olive oil and also apply it to your body for it is made from a blessed tree.’‎[12]

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

In addition to what has been presented in the Exposition of this verse, there are two more possibilities which have been mentioned by the exegetes. The first is that the fig refers to the era of Prophet Adam (a) because the clothes Prophet Adam (a) and Eve wore in the garden were made out of the leaves of fig; and the olive refers to the era of Prophet Noah (a) because towards the end of the storm which took place during his time, Prophet Noah (a) sent a bird to find out which part of the land is free from water and the bird returned with the branch of an olive tree, and from this Prophet Noah (a) understood that the storm had ended.‎[13]

It seems that the apparent meaning of the fig and the olive is probably what is meant in this verse, with the possibility of them referring to Damascus and Jerusalem which would also be in line with the rest of the verses; furthermore, there is a tradition that supports this view as we have discussed.

INSIGHTS FROM OTHER TRADITIONS

  1. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.‎[14]
  2. And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.‎[15]
  3. All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.‎[16]
  4. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.‎[17] 
[1] Raghib, p. 169.
[2] Alusi, 30/173.
[3] Nemuneh, 27/160.
[4] Alusi, 30/173.
[5] Nemuneh, 27/139.
[6] Al-Ḍaḥḥāk (d. 105 ah) was from the Successors and a companion of Imam al-Sajjād (a). He was born in the city of Balkh and is known to be a narrator of hadith and an exegete.
[7] Tabrisi, 10/775.
[8] Safi, 5/346.
[9] Safi, 5/346; Maani, 1/364.
[10] Kafi, 6/358.
[11] Bihar, 66/183, h. 22.
[12] Bihar, 66/182, h. 16.
[13] Narrated in Nemuneh, 27/139.
[14] Judges 9:8.
[15] Judges 9:10.
[16] Nuham 1:12.
[17] Psalms 52:8.