Gardening in Arabia: Fruiting Plants in Qatar and the Arabian Gulf (Arabic)

Introduction

Introduction

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no Muslim who plants a tree or sows seeds and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it except that it is charity for him.”

I thank God who provides us with all that we need in this world, especially the plants and flowers that nourish us both physically and spiritually and bring us such happiness. Plants create islands of peace and serenity amidst the stress and commotion of our daily lives. They require only water, soil, and sun; in return they offer beauty, nourishment, and healing. Planting a garden can instil hope and joy, even provide meaning to life where there was none. Cultivating a garden generates a thousand and one things to look forward to: the day a flower will open, a tree will grow, or a fruit will ripen.

When I started writing this series of books I did it with the intention of helping to guide anyone with a similar passion for plants to identify them easily, understand how they grow and realize the benefits of each plant. However, my main purpose is not limited to promoting knowledge of plants; it is also to inspire and encourage every home to have a garden. Gardening is easy and, with a little effort, anyone can achieve a beautiful and bountiful garden, a private oasis of tranquility and harmony for the family. Aside from being a wonderful activity that the whole household can contribute to and benefit from, gardening also helps to protect our environment by increasing the amount of greenery.

For all of these reasons, among others, I wish to invite you, dear readers, to create your own garden, whether indoors or outdoors. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of plants that can be grown in your garden, despite our country’s semi-desert conditions of high temperatures, little rain, and poor soil. During the growing season, from October to April, all types of plants can thrive. By nourishing the soil with vitamins and fertilizer, and providing care and attention, we can all make our gardens beautiful.

Shuaa Abdullah Al-Sada