Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources (part 3)

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Sidra tul-Muntaha - The Lote Tree of Uttermost End

Muhammad was said to have been taken by the Angel Gabriel on a night journey from Mecca to a distance sanctuary (later interpreted to mean Jerusalem) where he met with Abraham, Moses, Jesus and other prophets.  From Jerusalem, together they ascended through the seven heavens.  At the summit of the universe, he encountered the Sidra tul-Muntaha, the Lote Tree of Uttermost End, which "marks the end of the knowledge of every knower" and "all beyond is a hidden mystery, unknown to any." A Divine Light is said to have fallen on the Lote Tree which enshrouded it and all else beside, and "the eye of the Prophet beheld the Light without wavering and without turning aside from it."

The Sidra tree is described as "growing strong and proud in the harshest of environments... a symbol of perseverance and nourishment across the borders of the Arab World. With its roots bound in the soil of this world and its branches reaching upward toward perfection, it is a symbol of solidarity and determination."

I've enjoyed pondering the significance of the Lote Tree of Uttermost End (sometimes translated as the Lote Tree of Farthest Boundary) in Islam and how it can relate to my own life.  I share in a sense of awe and wonder for the hidden mysteries of the universe. It's interesting to think about the limits or boundaries of human knowledge - there are certainly truths about our world that are yet undiscovered or yet unknown to us personally. There may also be some some truths that may be undiscoverable due to limitations placed from time, record-keeping (or lack thereof), or limits of current scientific advancement. These limitations of our own understanding can leave us with a sense of curiosity and wonder.

I like the idea of unwaveringly seeking to expand the limits of our understanding, seeking wisdom from various sources, and not turning away from knowledge and experience that could challenge, change, or expand our worldview.  I also love the symbolism of resilience that trees can give and the language of branches reaching upward with determination despite sometimes challenging conditions.


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