Pilu

October 16, 2026 Dr Md shahriar kabir 2 min read

Pilu (Siwak / Arak) Tree & Fruits in Tibb an-Nabawi

In Prophetic Medicine (Tibb an-Nabawi) and traditional Islamic botany, the Pilu tree (known in Arabic as Al-Arak / الأراك and botanically as Salvadora persica) holds a unique status. While famous for its branches used to make the Siwak (miswak tooth-cleaning stick), its sweet, small berries—known as Khabath (خَبَث) or Pilu (পীলু)—are also a cherished Prophetic food and remedy.

Classical Botanical & Medical Description (Ibn Qayyim in Zad al-Ma’ad)

Classical scholars of Prophetic Medicine, such as Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya, described both the tree and its fruit in detail:

The Fruit (Khabath / Pilu):

Small, round berries that ripen from green to red, and finally to a dark purple/black color when fully ripe.

Taste & Temperament: Warm and dry in temperament. Sweet with a pleasant, slightly pungent, and aromatic taste.

Digestive & Stomach Health:

Ibn Qayyim notes that eating black Pilu berries strengthens the stomach, assists in digestion, expels visceral gas, and helps clear phlegm from the digestive tract.

The Root & Twigs (Siwak):

The twigs and roots of the Arak/Pilu tree are the primary source of the traditional Siwak. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized its use: “The Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i #5).

📖 Hadith Reference ▼

Hadith References for the Pilu (Arak) Tree and Fruits

In Prophetic Medicine (Tibb an-Nabawi) and authentic Hadith literature, the Pilu (Arak) tree and its berries (Khabath) are specifically noted in accounts describing the humility and everyday habits of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

The Primary Hadith on Gathering Pilu Berries

The most famous authentic narration regarding the fruit of the Pilu tree comes from Jabir ibn 'Abdullah (RA):

> عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ: كُنَّا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِمَرِّ الظَّهْرَانِ نَجْتَنِي الْكَبَاثَ، فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم: "عَلَيْكُمْ بِالأَسْوَدِ مِنْهُ، فَإِنَّهُ أَيْضَبُ وَأَحْسَنُ" قَالُوا: كَأَنَّكَ كُنْتَ تَرْعَى الْغَنَمَ؟ قَالَ: "نَعَمْ، وَهَلْ مِنْ نَبِيٍّ إِلاَّ رَعَاهَا؟"

> "Jabir ibn 'Abdullah (RA) reported: We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at Marri al-Zahran gathering the fruits of the Arak (Pilu). The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Pick the black ones, for they are the best.' The Companions asked: 'O Messenger of Allah, did you use to tend sheep?' He replied: 'Yes, and was there any Prophet who did not tend sheep?'"

Primary Sources:
Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith #5453)
Sahih Muslim (Hadith #2050)
Grading: Muttafaq 'Alayh (Authentic agreement between Bukhari and Muslim).

Detailed Explanation of Hadith Terms

الْكَبَاثَ (Al-Kabath / Khabath):
This is the specific Arabic term for the ripe fruit or berries of the Arak (Pilu) tree (Salvadora persica).
When unripe, the berries are green; as they ripen, they turn red, and upon full maturity, they become dark purple or black.
أَيْضَبُ (Aydhab / Best Quality):
In the commentary on Sahih Muslim, scholars explain that Aydhab refers to fruit that is sweet, juicy, full-bodied, and of the highest quality.
The Prophet's advice to pick the dark black berries ("al-aswad minhu") highlights botanical and nutritional wisdom: fully ripened Pilu berries contain higher concentrations of natural sugars, flavonoids, and therapeutic compounds compared to unripe green or red ones.
Marri al-Zahran (مَرِّ الظَّهْرَانِ):
A well-known valley located near Mecca along the road to Medina. It was an area rich in desert vegetation, including wild Arak trees.

Connection to Prophetic Humility & Provision

Nature's Provision: The narration illustrates how the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions would forage natural desert foods during travel, demonstrating simplicity, reliance on what the earth provides, and connection with nature.
The Shepherd's Heritage: By recalling his past days of tending sheep in the valleys of Arabia while picking Pilu berries, the Prophet (ﷺ) highlighted a shared trait among all previous Prophets (such as Moses and David), emphasizing patience, gentleness, and humble leadership.

🌿 Ingredients ▼

Active Ingredients & Modern Scientific Insights

Modern phytochemical and pharmacological analyses of Salvadora persica (Pilu tree and fruit) confirm its rich nutritional and medicinal profile:

Plant Part

Active Chemical Ingredients

Modern Biomedical Benefits

Pilu Berries (Fruit)

Flavonoids, Alkaloids (Salvadorine), Tannins, Sterols, Essential Fatty Acids, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium

• Antioxidant & Cytoprotective: Rich in polyphenols that scavenge free radicals. • Gastroprotective: Helps soothe stomach lining and reduces ulcer risk. • Antimicrobial: Inhibits gut pathogens and harmful bacteria.

Arak Twigs/Roots (Siwak)

Fluoride, Silica, Sulfur, Vitamin C, Tannins, Benzyl Isothiocyanate

• Oral Hygiene: Naturally fights plaque, gingivitis, and dental caries. • Antibacterial: Benzyl isothiocyanate acts as a broad-spectrum oral antibacterial agent.

⚗️ Preparation Method ▼

Traditional Preparation & Uses

Direct Consumption: Ripe, dark black Pilu berries are eaten fresh as a natural, nutrient-dense fruit that warms the digestive system and stimulates appetite.

Infusion / Decoction: The dried berries or leaves can be steeped in hot water to make a soothing tea used for expelling intestinal gas, relieving mild stomach cramps, and easing chest congestion/coughing.

Oral Care (Miswak): Fresh root or branch cuttings of the Pilu tree are chewed at one end to expose soft bristles, creating a natural toothbrush packed with antibacterial compounds.

🤲 Dua / Ruqyah ▼

While the Pilu tree (Salvadora persica) and its berries (Khabath/Pilu) are frequently mentioned and detailed in authentic Hadith literature (such as Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim), the tree is not explicitly named by the word "Pilu" or "Arak" in the Qur'an.

However, classical Quranic commentators (Mufassirun) and botanists of Islamic history identify the Pilu/Arak tree under a broader Quranic category of hardy, bitter desert trees that provide utility, shade, or natural resources:

The Quranic Reference to Bitter Desert Trees (Akl Khamt)

In Surah Saba (34:16), Allah describes the punishment that befell the people of Saba after they turned away from gratitude, transforming their lush orchards into barren land filled with bitter, thorny desert vegetation:

text{Surah Saba (34:16)}

فَأَعْرَضُوا فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ الْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَاهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَيْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَيْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ

Translation: "But they turned away [from Allah], so We sent upon them the flood of the dam, and We replaced their two gardens with [gardens of] bitter fruit, tamarisks, and a few lote trees." — Surah Saba (34:16)

Scholarly Interpretation Regarding Akl Khamt and Desert Flora

Definition of Khamt (خَمْطٍ): Classical exegetes (such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi) explain that Khamt refers to any bitter, pungent, or sharp-tasting desert plant or tree whose fruit or leaves carry a sharp, astringent flavor.

Inclusion of the Arak/Pilu Tree: Botanical commentators on Tibb an-Nabawi note that trees like the Arak (Pilu) and Uthl (tamarisk) naturally inhabit arid desert environments and possess that distinct, pungent, and sharp quality (due to natural compounds like salvadorine and tannins). While the Arak tree is a immense blessing when used for the Siwak and its sweet berries (Khabath), its classification belongs to these hardy, resilient desert flora that survive harsh conditions without modern irrigation.

🔬 Modern Scientific Notes ▼