Fatima Alsaffar – The American Muslim Society for Science, Engineering, and Medicine

فِيهِمَا فَـٰكِهَةٌۭ وَنَخْلٌۭ وَرُمَّانٌۭ

“In both [Gardens] will be fruit, palm trees, and pomegranates.”

Surah Ar-Rahman (55:68)

Surah Ar-Rahman, the 55th chapter of the Qur’an, is an inimitable set of verses that brings recognition to both the worldly creations of Allah (subhana’hu wa ta’ala) and the afterlife that exists for believers (understood as “Jannah” or heaven). It is within this Surah that the idea of the “fruits of Jannah” is mentioned, and it is further explained through several hadiths. 

In verse 68, it is said that “in both [Gardens] will be fruit, palm trees, and pomegranates,” referring to Jannah. Jannah is often described as a notably fruitful place—literally and figuratively. On Earth, one experiences the many gifts of Allah (subhana’hu wa ta’ala), yet these material objects and ideas pale in comparison to the limitless bounty of the afterlife, a concept not yet comprehensible to our humble minds. Thus, Jannah is thought to be a place of abundance—of many joys, trees, streams, and, of course, many fruits.

As scientific research progresses, it is becoming increasingly clear why palm trees and pomegranates are explicitly named in the Qur’an among the fruits of Jannah. Dates (explored in a previous American Muslim Society of Science, Engineering, and Medicine article) and pomegranates have gained renown for their exceptional health benefits, and their advantages are arguably unmatched by any other fruit.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ مَّعْرُوشَـٰتٍۢ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَـٰتٍۢ وَٱلنَّخْلَ وَٱلزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا۞ أُكُلُهُۥ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَـٰبِهًۭا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍۢ ۚ كُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَءَاتُوا۟ حَقَّهُۥ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِۦ ۖ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ

"He is the One Who produces gardens—both cultivated and wild—and palm trees, crops of different flavours, olives, and pomegranates—similar ˹in shape˺, but dissimilar ˹in taste˺. Eat of the fruit they bear and pay the dues at harvest, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran, Al An‘ām (6:141) 

The most outstanding benefits of pomegranates come from their polyphenols. Polyphenols are a class of organic compounds found in plants, which give fruits antioxidant properties (Petre). Antioxidants are directly associated with health because of their ability to quench free radicals; free radicals are unstable molecules within the body, and too many can cause oxidative stress, a chemical imbalance responsible for various chronic diseases and physiological issues. For this reason, pomegranates offer a plethora of benefits by alleviating oxidative stress.

Polyphenols are categorized by origin, function, and chemical structure. Pomegranates are composed of various types of polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and hydrolyzable tannins (Saparbekova et al.). The peel and white membrane of the fruit are especially rich in these nutrients, most of which are said to be passed into juice after pressing, although there are other methods of reaping the peel’s benefits (Gözlekçi et al.). The notable, rich pigment of each aril (the pomegranate seed) is also due to a flavonoid polyphenol referred to as anthocyanin (Zarfeshany).

With more than three times as many antioxidants as green tea, pomegranates have been shown to reduce memory and age-related decline, as this forgetfulness can be a product of oxidative stress (National Kidney Foundation; Champion). Moreover, a study at the Washington University at St. Louis found that mice treated with pomegranate juice accumulated significantly less Alzheimer's-associated compounds than untreated control mice (Hartman et al.).

Additionally, this powerful fruit is said to reduce the risk of several types of cancer by combating oxidative stress. Skin cancer, for example, can occur when the skin is exposed to significant oxidative stress. A study at the University of California at Los Angeles revealed that a higher amount of UV exposure was needed to affect an individual who consumed pomegranate juice, which acted as sunscreen from within the body by reducing the number of free radicals within the skin (Henning et al.; Champion; Zarfeshany et al.). Several other explorations deemed pomegranate juice chemopreventive. Beyond the antioxidant benefits once again, pomegranate use led to increased activation of apoptosis (cell death) pathways in the cancer cells of mice (Rettig et al.). 

Similarly, pomegranate juice has antihypertensive effects in patients, as evidenced by reductions in systolic and arterial blood pressure. This is a result of slowing angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (which constricts blood vessels), lowering unsafe cholesterol levels, and increasing serum paraoxonase 1, a helpful protein (Zarfeshany et al.).

When specific polyphenols are digested, they can continue to nourish the body as urolithins (Zarfeshany et al.; Champion). These compounds are anti-inflammatory and conduct a fascinating process called mitophagy, by which they clear damaged cells of their worn-out mitochondria without clearing the healthy components of the cell (Hyman). This helps the organism function at its full potential, preserving vitality.

As an antioxidant, the benefits of pomegranates appear endless. All perks thus described are associated with its polyphenols. This is done thus far without delving into its many other nutrients—vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B9, potassium, and fiber (Hartford HealthCare).

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِۦ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًۭا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّۭا مُّتَرَاكِبًۭا وَمِنَ ٱلنَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌۭ دَانِيَةٌۭ وَجَنَّـٰتٍۢ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍۢ وَٱلزَّيْتُونَ وَٱلرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًۭا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَـٰبِهٍ ۗ ٱنظُرُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِۦٓ إِذَآ أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكُمْ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍۢ لِّقَوْمٍۢ يُؤْمِنُونَ

"And He is the One Who sends down rain from the sky—causing all kinds of plants to grow—producing green stalks from which We bring forth clustered grain. And from palm trees come clusters of dates hanging within reach. ˹There are˺ also gardens of grapevines, olives, and pomegranates, similar ˹in shape˺ but dissimilar ˹in taste˺. Look at their fruit as it yields and ripens! Indeed, in these are signs for people who believe.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran, Al An‘ām (6:99)

Beyond their physiological benefits, pomegranates have graced literature and media as a symbol of rich life and deep passion. The symbol is put in use from Renaissance artistry to the cover of a book from Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series, inviting the viewer to question the meaning of the resilient fruit and the stark, deep color of its seeds. Moreover, Judaism and Christianity both recognize the significance of pomegranates, valuing the arils as a sweet treasure shielded by tough skin (Bethlehem Handicrafts). 

For a fruit that requires a surprising amount of effort to eat, the mark left is apparent. Verse 68 of Surah Ar-Rahman casts brief yet meaningful attention on pomegranates, drawing light on the invaluable resource. By inviting science into life, one can reflect on the profound details and lessons of the Qur’an. Alas, the next task is figuring out exactly how to peel a pomegranate.

Works Cited

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Bethlehem Handicrafts. “Pomegranates: Religious and Cultural Significance in the Holy Land and Catholic Church.” Bethlehem Handicrafts, 31 Oct. 2017, bethlehemhandicrafts.com/blogs/news/96-pomegranates-religious-and-cultural-significance-in-the-holy-land-and-more?srsltid=AfmBOoqkhSErDd6SPgHdjICJOi7w_NmrjLw1NrKSc5cU7Pbj2X-2CoiE. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Caceres, Vanessa. “Just How Healthy Are Pomegranates?” Www.heart.org, 9 Sept. 2021, www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/09/just-how-healthy-are-pomegranates. Accessed 13 June 2026.

Champion, Chayil. “Health Benefits of Pomegranates Extend throughout the Body.” Uclahealth.org, UCLA Health, 18 Mar. 2022, www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-of-pomegranates-extend-throughout-the-body. Accessed 13 June 2026.

Gözlekçi, Sadiye, et al. “Total Phenolic Distribution of Juice, Peel, and Seed Extracts of Four Pomegranate Cultivars.” Pharmacognosy Magazine, vol. 7, no. 26, 2011, p. 161, https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.80681. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Hartford HealthCare. “Welcome to Zscaler Directory Authentication.” Stvincents.org, 7 June 2025, stvincents.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleId=64873&publicid=395. Accessed 13 June 2026.

Hartman, Richard E., et al. “Pomegranate Juice Decreases Amyloid Load and Improves Behavior in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease.” Neurobiology of Disease, vol. 24, no. 3, Dec. 2006, pp. 506–15, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2006.08.006. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Henning, Susanne M., et al. “Pomegranate Juice and Extract Consumption Increases the Resistance to UVB-Induced Erythema and Changes the Skin Microbiome in Healthy Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Scientific Reports, vol. 9, no. 1, Oct. 2019, p. 14528, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-50926-2. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Hyman, Mark. “The Fascinating Science of Urolithin A.” Mark Hyman, MD, 1 Mar. 2026, drhyman.com/blogs/content/the-fascinating-science-of-urolithin-a. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Mayo Clinic . “Folate (Folic Acid).” Mayo Clinic, 15 Aug. 2025, www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-folate/art-20364625. Accessed 14 June 2026.

National Kidney Foundation. “Pomegranates.” National Kidney Foundation, 2 Jan. 2023, www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/pomegranates. Accessed 13 June 2026.

Petre, Alina. “What Are Polyphenols? Types, Benefits, and Food Sources.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 July 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/polyphenols. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Quran.com. “Quran.” Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem - القرآن الكريم, Al-Quran - القرآن الكريم, 2025, quran.com/. Accessed 14 June 2026.

Rettig, M. B., et al. “Pomegranate Extract Inhibits Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Growth through a Nuclear Factor- B-Dependent Mechanism.” Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, vol. 7, no. 9, Sept. 2008, pp. 2662–71, https://doi.org/10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0136.

Saparbekova, A. A., et al. “Potential of Phenolic Compounds from Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) By-Product with Significant Antioxidant and Therapeutic Effects: A Narrative Review.” Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, vol. 30, no. 2, Feb. 2023, p. 103553, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103553. Accessed 14 June 2026.