The Study of the Examples of the Word "Zaqqum" in the Quran with Emphasis on Interpretative and Botanical Resources

According to the Quran, one of the punishments which has been prepared for the damned is eating a plant called "Zaqqum". The characteristics of this plant are burning and thirsting in the body of the sinners, and its similarity to the "head of the devils" causes fear, horror and annoyance. There is a controversy in the material existence of such a plant. Some consider "Zaqqum" as a famous herb to the Arab, while others regard it as unique to the others. The study of the word "devil" indicates that the Arab used the term "devil" as "serpent", and the likeness of the "Zaqqum" to the "head of the devils" could be due to the similarity of the head of the snakes with the fruit of this plant, which carries a bitter toxic. Not only does this poison create thirst and burn, but it can also lead to death. Although the interpretive sources have not raised a serious argument about the material existence of this plant, but due to some geographical and botanical resources, a group of plants called "Euphorbia", which grows in Saudi Arabia, have the highest conformity with the Koranic descriptions of this plant.