Olive trees were one of the most valuable trees in ancient times especially in the Bible & the Holy Quran.
The first time it was mentioned in the Bible when the dove returned to Noah’s ark carrying an olive branch in its beak (Gen. 8:11). Since that time, the Olive branch has been a symbol of “peace” to the world, and we often hear the expression, “extending an olive branch” to another person as a desire for peace.
There is an ancient tradition that the “tree of life” in the Garden of Eden was an Olive tree. According to the Apocalypse of Moses, when Adam fell ill Seth went to request the “oil of mercy” to anoint Adam and restore his health. His entreaty was refused, as it was destined for Adam to die, but the angel Michael told Seth that the oil would be granted to the righteous at the end of days. In a similar passage in the “Life of Adam” the oil is referred to as “the tree of mercy from which the oil of life flows.”
Kings were “anointed ones.” In Arabic “Al-Masih” and in Hebrew “Messiah” literally means “the anointed one.”
Olive oil was also used as a medicine to anoint wounds. It was used both internally and externally. Jesus sent out His disciples to heal the sick and to preach the gospel. “So, they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:13).
“والتين والزيتون وطور سينين وهذا البلد الامين”
Like figs, God also swore by olives in the Quran and mentioned it immediately after the fruit in the same verse.
Prophet Muhammad once said: “Eat Olive oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (Al-Tirmidhi, 1775).
In Surah Al-Mu’minum 20. God says:
وَشَجَرَةًۭ تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍۢ لِّلْـَٔاكِلِينَ
” As well as ˹Olive˺ trees which grow at Mount Sinai, providing oil and a condiment to eat.”
Olive Oil health benefits have been propounded in Prophetic medicine. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: Take oil of Olive and massage with it – it is a blessed tree. (Darimi, 69:103).
Blessed by God