Gharqad tree
الغرقد
Strongest narrations
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حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الْفَرْوِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " تُقَاتِلُونَ الْيَهُودَ حَتَّى يَخْتَبِيَ أَحَدُهُمْ وَرَاءَ الْحَجَرِ فَيَقُولُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ هَذَا يَهُودِيٌّ وَرَائِي فَاقْتُلْهُ ".
‘আবদুল্লাহ ইবনু ‘উমার (রাঃ) হতে বর্ণিত। আল্লাহর রাসূল সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়াসাল্লাম বলেছেন, তোমরা ইয়াহূদীদের বিরুদ্ধে যুদ্ধ করবে। এমনকি তাদের কেউ যদি পাথরের আড়ালে লুকিয়ে থাকে তাহলে পাথরও বলবে, ‘হে আল্লাহর বান্দা, আমার পেছনে ইয়াহূদী আছে, তাকে হত্যা কর।’ (৩৫৯৩) (আধুনিক প্রকাশনীঃ ২৭১০, ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশনঃ)
Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews until some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O `Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ الْقَعْقَاعِ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى تُقَاتِلُوا الْيَهُودَ حَتَّى يَقُولَ الْحَجَرُ وَرَاءَهُ الْيَهُودِيُّ يَا مُسْلِمُ، هَذَا يَهُودِيٌّ وَرَائِي فَاقْتُلْهُ ".
আবূ হুরাইরাহ্ (রাঃ) হতে বর্ণিত। তিনি বলেন, আল্লাহর রাসূল সাল্লাল্লাহু আলাইহি ওয়াসাল্লাম বলেছেন, কিয়ামত সংঘটিত হবে না যে পর্যন্ত না তোমরা ইয়াহূদীদের বিরুদ্ধে যুদ্ধ করবে। এমনকি কোন ইয়াহূদী পাথরের আড়ালে লুকিয়ে থাকলে, পাথর বলবে, ‘হে মুসলিম, আমার পেছনে ইয়াহূদী আছে, তাকে হত্যা কর।’ (মুসলিম ৫২/১৮ হাঃ ২৯২২) (আধুনিক প্রকাশনীঃ ২৭১১, ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশনঃ)
Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him
Weak and ungraded reports on this sign
Shown for study, not as established. Includes Kitab al-Fitan of Nu'aym ibn Hammad, which is ungraded and weak overall.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا أبو عبد الله الأصبهاني، ثنا الحسن بن الجهم، ثنا الحسين بن الفرج، ثنا محمد بن سعد، عن محمد بن عمر، قال: حدثني أبو بكر بن عبد الله بن أبي سبرة، عن عاصم بن عبيد الله، عن عبيد الله بن أبي رافع، عن أبيه رضي الله عنه، قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يرتاد لأصحابه مقبرة يدفنون فيها، فكان قد طلب نواحي المدينة وأطرافها، ثم قال: «أمرت بهذا الموضع» يعني البقيع وكان يقال بقيع الخبخبة، وكان أكثر نباته الغرقد، وكان أول من قبر هناك عثمان بن مظعون رضي الله عنه، فوضع رسول الله حجرا عند رأسه وقال: «هذا قبر فرطنا» وكان إذا مات المهاجر بعده قيل: يا رسول الله، أين ندفنه؟ فيقول: «عند فرطنا عثمان بن مظعون»
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا معاوية، قال: حدثنا زائدة، حدثنا عبد الله بن ذكوان، عن عبد الرحمن الأعرج، عن أبي هريرة، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: " لا تقوم الساعة حتى تطلع الشمس من مغربها، فيؤمن الناس أجمعون، فيومئذ لا ينفع نفسا إيمانها لم تكن آمنت من قبل، أو كسبت في إيمانها خيرا، ولا تقوم الساعة حتى تقاتلوا اليهود، فيفر اليهودي وراء الحجر، فيقول الحجر: يا عبد الله، يا مسلم، هذا يهودي ورائي، ولا تقوم الساعة حتى تقاتلوا قوما نعالهم الشعر "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
وقال: " لا تقوم الساعة حتى يقاتل المسلمون اليهود، فيقتلهم المسلمون، حتى يختبئ اليهودي من وراء الحجر، والشجرة، فيقول الحجر، أو الشجرة: يا مسلم، يا عبد الله، هذا يهودي خلفي، فتعال فاقتله، إلا الغرقد فإنه من شجر اليهود "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
Not graded under this archive's policy. The verdicts recorded are listed.
حدثنا علي، أخبرنا ورقاء، عن أبي الزناد، عن الأعرج، عن أبي هريرة، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: " لا تقوم الساعة حتى تقاتلوا اليهود، حتى يختبئ اليهودي وراء الحجر، فيقول الحجر: يا مسلم، هذا يهودي يختبئ ورائي، تعال فاقتله "
No translation yet. Arabic only.
AI draft, not reviewed by an editor. Read the Arabic for the meaning.
What scholars have said
Explains that this battle takes place specifically at the end of times during the descent of Prophet Isa (peace be upon him) and the defeat of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ) and his army, as corroborated in Sahih Muslim (2922). It is not an unconditional license for conflict today, but an eschatological milestone where the deception of Dajjal's forces collapses and natural objects miraculously speak.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani · Fath al-Bari, Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari (Kitab al-Jihad, 2925-2926)
Notes that the Gharqad is a well-known thorny desert shrub in the Levant (Bilad al-Sham) and the Hijaz. He confirms the literal miracle that Allah will grant speech to trees and rocks, exposing those hiding, while the Gharqad remains silent as it is affiliated with them in that prophetic context.
Imam an-Nawawi · Al-Minhaj Sharh Sahih Muslim (Hadith 2922)
Contextualizes this confrontation following Isa's slaying of the Dajjal at the Gate of Ludd (Lod, Palestine). Nature's universal speech signifies that falsehood will have no refuge or concealment left on earth.
Imam al-Qurtubi · Al-Tadhkirah bi-Ahwal al-Mawta wa-Umur al-Akhirah
Draft attributions: each must be checked against the named book before publication.
Context
The narrations (Sahih al-Bukhari 2925, 2926; Sahih Muslim 2922) depict an eschatological event during the return of Isa (AS) and the pursuit of Dajjal's army. Classical scholars universally caution against projecting this future divine reckoning onto modern civilians or misusing it as a justification for unlawful aggression. Today, scientific and field observations of the Gharqad bush (Nitraria retusa / Lycium shawii) highlight its unique prostrate growth habit that conceals anyone behind its low dense branches, extensive planting in arid settlements, and the camouflage match with the IDF's olive uniform.
Present-day data
These numbers show the world today beside the narration. They do not decide whether the sign has appeared; that is shown only through named scholars, in the Scholars' views tab.
The Gharqad (identified by botanists and classical Arabic lexicographers primarily as Lycium shawii [Arabian boxthorn] and Nitraria retusa) is a hardy, spine-dense desert shrub native to Palestine, the Dead Sea depression, the Negev, and the Arabian peninsula. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ named it in authentic eschatological hadiths as the tree that remains silent during the final confrontation. Today, intense interest surrounds three verified realities: (1) extensive afforestation and cultivation of Gharqad and drought-hardy thorny shrubs around Israeli settlements, kibbutzim, and desert security barriers; (2) its distinctive low-slung, ground-level branching where tangled thorny stems spread wide from the root collar, creating an opaque natural barrier so a person behind it remains completely invisible from a distance; and (3) the striking chromatic match between the IDF's standard olive-drab combat uniform and the dusty gray-green hue of the Gharqad foliage.
Narrations behind this panel: Sahih al-Bukhari 2925 · Sahih al-Bukhari 2926
What the commentators said it means
- Lexical definition (Lisan al-Arab by Ibn Manzur): 'Al-Gharqad is a species of thorny tree... Abu Hanifah al-Dinawari said: When the Awsaj grows large, bushy, and tangled, it is called Gharqad.' It historically gave Baqi' al-Gharqad in Madinah its name before the cemetery was cleared.
- Dense lower branching architecture: Unlike standard upright forest trees, Nitraria retusa and Lycium shawii develop dense, prostrate woody stems from the root collar right at the soil level. These form impenetrable, opaque mounds (nebkhas) anchored in dunes, blocking all ground-level line of sight.
- Tactical concealment: Because the shrub's lowest branches are heavily interlaced with rigid, needle-like spines touching the earth, any individual crouching, kneeling, or lying behind the mound is completely obscured and invisible to observers viewing from a distance.
- Chromatic camouflage match: The Israel Defense Forces' standard-issue field combat uniform (Madei Bet) in solid, non-patterned olive drab, alongside the floppy silhouette-breaking Mitznefet helmet cover, perfectly replicates the desaturated, dusty olive-gray tone of salt-crusted Gharqad foliage in the desert.
| Botanical Feature | Gharqad (Nitraria/Lycium) | Standard Tree (e.g. Pine/Oak) | Tactical/Visual Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Clearance (Trunk) | 0 m (Grows from root collar) | 1.5 – 3.0 m (Bare trunk) | No gap underneath; ground vision blocked |
| Canopy Shape & Spread | Sprawls 3 – 6 m wide at ground | Elevated crown (2 – 4 m) | Forms a solid impenetrable hemisphere |
| Distance Concealment | 100% Inaudible & Invisible | Legs/torso easily spotted under trunk | Person crouching behind is totally hidden |
| Foliage Hue & Camouflage | Dusty Gray-Green / Olive Drab | Bright Emerald / Forest Green | Matches IDF 'Madei Bet' uniform perfectly |
| Physical Barrier / Spines | Dense 2–5 cm needle spines | Smooth bark, no spines | Acts as natural living barbed wire |
Source: Middle East Plant Ecology & IDF Field Studies · retrieved 2026-10-27
Examples
Lycium shawii (Gharqad) thorny bush thriving in the Negev Desert, Israel.Extensive Cultivation in Settlements & Arid Buffer Zones
Across the Negev desert, Jordan Valley, and perimeter buffer zones surrounding settlements and kibbutzim, extensive plantations of salt-tolerant, drought-resistant thorny shrubs—primarily Lycium shawii and Nitraria retusa—have been planted. Organizations such as KKL-JNF utilize these hardy species for sand dune fixation, desert reclamation, and living security hedgerows that serve as natural razor-wire barriers against intrusion.
KKL-JNF Israel Forestry & Afforestation · Flora of Israel Online (Lycium shawii) · Israel Nature and Parks Authority
as of 2026-10-28
Nitraria retusa — dense ground-level branching that fully obscures line of sight.Low Sprawling Growth: Concealing Anyone Behind It From Afar
Botanically, the Gharqad does not develop a tall, clean trunk. Instead, its rigid, spine-laden branches flow and spread profusely across the lower part touching the soil, creating a sprawling, dense hemisphere 1 to 2.5 meters tall and up to 6 meters wide. This low, tangled ground-cover foliage creates an opaque physical screen: a person positioned, sitting, or crouching behind the bush remains completely concealed and invisible to anyone observing from a distance.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Nitraria retusa) · Abu Hanifah al-Dinawari (Kitab al-Nabat) · Desert Dune Plant Communities Study (JSTOR)
as of 2026-10-28
IDF solid olive-drab uniform and Mitznefet camouflage blending with desert foliage.Camouflage Match: IDF Uniform and the Gharqad Foliage
Unlike armed forces using complex multi-color digital camouflage, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) historically equips ground troops in solid, monochrome olive-drab combat uniforms ('Madei Bet'), often paired with the irregular, loose-fitting 'Mitznefet' helmet covering. Field observations demonstrate that this dusty, desaturated olive-drab color matches the exact gray-green, salt-dusted chromatic profile of Gharqad leaves in the arid Levant. Soldiers stationed within or behind Gharqad thickets blend organically into the surrounding vegetation, vanishing into the landscape.
Camopedia - Israeli Camouflage & Uniform Patterns · Israel Defense Forces (Official Uniform Standards) · Janes Defence Weekly - Infantry Camouflage Studies
as of 2026-10-28
Read with care
- Eschatological distinction: While the physical characteristics of the Gharqad (dense low sprawl, optical concealment, camouflage matching IDF fatigues) and its active planting in arid border zones are empirical realities, Islamic orthodoxy maintains that the prophetic battle described in hadiths belongs specifically to the era of Isa (AS) and Dajjal. Empirical observations should not be confused with premature sectarian panic.
Draft: figures and wording await a researcher's check and the scholar board.