Plant culture in the period of the prophet Muhammed: Herbs

Plants have played an active role in meeting the basic needs of people throughout history. In this respect, analysing the relationship of societies with plants means obtaining a wide range of information about their social and cultural life. This study, which focuses on the herb species that can be identified in the Arabian Peninsula during the Prophet's time, examines the reflection of the plants examined on sociocultural life and their place in daily life. Among our findings are plant names, general characteristics, areas of use, geographical regions and climatic conditions in which they grow. In addition, the features reflected in trade, agriculture, animal husbandry, food, health, folk literature and folklore are analysed. In this study, which is limited to the Prophet's period, the aspects of herb species affecting sociocultural life were evaluated by considering examples from before and after Islam. In our thesis, a meticulous examination has been made about the herbs whose names are controversial, defined with different names according to regions and mistranslated. On the other hand, the discussions about the types of herbs used in some religious practices during the Prophet's time have been analysed. Which views and judgements are parallel to or different from the practices of the Prophet's time are revealed in the context of the changes in plant culture over time. As a result of our detailed research, it has been observed that the plant culture of some civilisations has been examined from the perspective of history, but no period of Islamic history has been subjected to such an examination. Studies in this field have been limited to studies presenting the history of Arabian vegetation in general terms. For this reason, our study is the first plant-centred research in the field of Islamic history. However, it should be noted that our thesis is limited to some types of herbs used in the Prophet's time. Trees, shrubs, grains whose zakat is taken and plants that come through trade are excluded from the subject. The issues related to these matters are the product of a separate study.