Gharqad

What it is

The Gharqad is a specific type of tree referenced in several Sunni Islamic hadiths concerning the end times. Within these narratives, it plays a unique role in a supernatural conflict between Muslims and Jews. While ordinary stones and trees are said to speak to alert Muslims to the presence of a hiding Jew, the Gharqad remains silent. It is identified as the 'tree of the Jews' and is believed to offer protection to them from their pursuers during this final struggle.

Where it comes from

The concept originates from specific hadith collections, including Sahih Muslim and Sunan ibn Majah. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have stated that the Last Hour would not arrive until Muslims fought Jews who hid behind natural objects. These narrations are situated within broader Sunni eschatological accounts involving the Dajjal, the Mahdi, and the Second Coming of Jesus. Scholars note the text does not appear in the Quran, which is considered the direct word of God in Islam.

Tools and materials

Botanical analysis suggests the Gharqad may belong to the genus Lycium or Nitraria. However, neither plant holds any sanctity in Judaism. They are not among the Seven Species of the Land of Israel, nor are they used in Jewish rituals such as Sukkot or Havdalah. The Bible mentions Lycium once in a negative context, comparing it to a useless tree.

What it is for

In the eschatological narrative, the tree serves to shield Jews from harm during the apocalyptic battle. This belief has been leveraged in modern political contexts. Some Islamist groups, including Hamas in its 1988 charter, cite the tree to justify violence against Jews. False allegations have also circulated claiming Israeli Jews plant these trees to prepare for war, despite botanists being unaware of such a specific species.

Who does it

The subject is primarily studied by scholars of Islamic theology and history. Sunni moderate writers often interpret these texts as predictive descriptions of end-times events rather than prescriptive commands for current behavior. They emphasize that these events should occur after the Second Coming of Jesus and should not impact contemporary Islamic-Jewish relations. Traditionalists maintain a literalist view of the hadiths.

Peoples and places

The tradition is central to Sunni Islamic eschatology. Shia Muslims generally reject these specific Sunni hadiths as unreliable, preferring their own canonical collections like The Four Books. Zaydi Shia may hold some esteem for Sunni traditions, while Ibadis vary in their acceptance. The narrative has gained traction in certain fundamentalist and Islamist circles, particularly regarding conflicts involving Israel.

What people believe

The belief is rooted in the concept of al-Malhamat al-Kubra, the great war preceding Judgement Day. It involves the defeat of the Dajjal, a figure described as a great deceiver. The Gharqad's silence contrasts with the miraculous speech of other nature elements, marking it as an exception in the divine order of the end times. This reflects a worldview where natural laws are suspended to fulfill prophetic signs.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Critics and modernist thinkers have questioned the authenticity of these hadiths due to weak chains of transmission and contradictions with the Quran. Some argue the narratives contradict Islamic faith. Conversely, traditionalists defend the literal inheritance of these texts. Scholars note that while the text is often alleged as prophecy, its inclusion in hadith collections varies in reliability across different Islamic sects.

Compare and confuse

The Gharqad is distinct from other sacred plants in Abrahamic traditions. Unlike the olive or fig, it holds no religious value in Judaism. In Christian eschatology, similar apocalyptic battles are described but without the specific element of talking trees protecting Jews. The concept is unique to certain strands of Islamic apocalyptic literature.

Law and persecution

The use of this narrative in political manifestos, such as the Hamas charter, has drawn international condemnation. Governments and human rights organizations view the promotion of such violent eschatological beliefs as hate speech. There are no laws specifically banning the mention of the tree, but its use to incite violence is illegal in many jurisdictions.

Today

The Gharqad remains a topic of discussion in online forums and extremist propaganda. It is occasionally cited by figures seeking to delegitimize Israel or promote anti-Jewish sentiment. However, mainstream Islamic scholarship continues to debate its interpretation and authenticity. Botanical experts remain unconcerned with the myth, noting the lack of a corresponding real-world species.

Questions people ask about Gharqad

Good reading and sources

• Gharqad on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data