Plant Reproduction
Pollination is the first step in the sexual reproduction of plants with seeds. The Quran and Hadith mention the ways of plant reproduction. “Glory be to Him (Allah) Who created the components of couples of every kind: of what the earth causes to grow, of themselves (human beings), and of what they do not know” [Quran 36:36]. “Of all fruits, (Allah) placed (on the earth) two of a pair” [13:3].
“He (Allah) it is Who spread the earth for you, and made in its paths for you, and sent down water from the sky, and thereby We produced diverse pairs of plants” [Surah 20, Verse 53]. Rain (environmental noise) and atmospheric deposition can influence the process of sexual reproduction in plants. Some plant species utilize rain for self-pollination, and certain pollinators help carry pollen from the male part of the flower to the female part of the flower in rainfall. “He it is Who sends down water for you from the sky out of which you drink and out of which grow the plants on which you pasture your cattle. With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit. Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought” [16:10–11].
Muhammad Ibn e Hibban (RA) and Ibn Khudhaymah (RA) reported, on the authority of Anas (RA), that the Prophet (PBUH) passed by a group of people who were pollinating the dates (by dusting pollen on the carpel). The Prophet, peace be upon him, out of his natural modesty and bashfulness, said: “It would have been better if you didn’t do it.” Resultantly, that year, the palm trees bore dates on which the stones did not become hard or bad dates caused only in cases when the palm tree had not been fecundated by the flowers or pollen of the male tree. The matter was reported to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and the Prophet, peace be upon him, withdrew his suggestion by saying: “You people know better about your (such) affairs” [Sahih Muslim].
The Quran describes how the wind plays an important role in pollination. Wind and insects assist in transferring pollen from the male part of a plant to the female part. The Quran mentions, “And We sent the seeding winds, then cause the rain to descend from the sky, and gave you water to drink, though you are not the guardians of its stores” (15:22).
Few pollinators are mentioned in the Quran, such as bees, ants, mosquitoes, etc. Honey bees pollinate many flowering plants, including fruits and vegetables. “And your Lord inspired the bee [saying]: ‘Make your home in the mountains and on the trees and the trellises that they erect. And feed from the flower of any fruit you please and follow the ways your Lord has made easy for you. From their bellies comes forth liquid of varying colors, in which there is healing for people. Surely, this is a sign for those who reflect” [16:68–69]. Ants can assist plants grow by allowing water and oxygen to reach the roots. They take seeds down into their tunnel to eat the seed that might cause grow new plants. Ants can be more efficient than pesticides at assisting farmers in producing food. Spice and garden plants might be pollinated by mosquitoes, including anise, coriander, cumin, celery, carrots, etc.
When the pollen arrives at the female part of the plant, fertilization takes place by the will of Allah. After fertilization, the ovary starts to grow larger and form a fruit. The next step is seed dispersal. Cattle are mentioned in the Quran as playing a role in moving seeds from one location to another and creating a fertile ground for plant growth. “And the cattle, He (Allah) has created them for you; in them, there is warmth (warm clothing), and numerous benefits, and of them you eat” [16:5].
The next step is seed germination. Germination is the birth of a new plant. The Quran mentions: “Indeed, Allah is the One Who causes seeds and fruit stones to sprout. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living. That is Allah!” (6:95).
Some plants reproduce sexually, and others asexually (e.g., vegetative reproduction). The Quran indicates the origin of the plant that came from the sea, and Allah caused it to grow near the sea asexually for Prophet Younus (PBUH) for healing. “And, verily, Younus was one of the Messengers … Then a (big) fish swallowed him and he had done an act worthy of blame. Had he not been of those who glorify Allah, he would have indeed remained inside its belly until the Day of Resurrection. But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick, and We caused a plant (al-Yaqtin- pumpkin or gourd-like plant) to grow over him” [37:139, 142–146].
