Question
Is it mentioned in Hadith which type of tree/fruit in particular, Sayyiduna Adam (‘alayhis salam) was forbidden from going towards?
Answer
I have not come across any Hadith wherein Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam) himself has specified the type of tree or fruit Sayyiduna Adam (‘alayhis salam) was forbidden from, neither has this been specified in the Quran.
[After citing various different views] Imam Ibn Jarir At-Tabari (rahimahullah) has mentioned: “we do not have the knowledge to comment about which type of tree [or fruit], in particular, Sayyiduna Adam (‘alayhis salam) was prohibited from; this is because Allah Ta’ala has neither placed any indication towards it in the Quran, nor has it appeared in any authentic/reliable narrations.”
(Tafsir Tabari, Surah Baqarah, Verse: 35)
‘Allamahs Razi, Ibn Kathir and others (rahimahumullah), have all echoed similar sentiments as well. They have encouraged that one refrain from any type of exactitude/specificity (تعين), and have preferred, in this instance, that one leaves ambiguous what Allah Ta’ala himself has left ambiguous.
(Tafsir Razi, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Ruhul Ma’ani, Surah Baqarah, Verse: 35, and Qasasul Ambiya, pg. 30)
In light of the above, I prefer not to cite any of the views regarding this.
For information purposes, one may refer to: Tafsir Tabari, Tafsir Razi, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Ad-DurrulManthur, and Ruhul Ma’ani, Surah Baqarah, Verse: 35.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
One should abstain from pursuing issues that have no relation to practice (‘amal). See here for more on this.