They called grapes “al-karm” (“the noble one”) because they are the most beneficial of fruits: they are eaten fresh or dried, and pressed to make various products. Grapevines are also more widespread than date palms, growing in most countries, whereas date palms grow only in hot countries. Thus, concerning human sustenance, Allah says:

“Let man consider his food: We poured down water abundantly, then split the earth open, and caused grain to grow in it, and grapes and herbage, and olives and date palms, and gardens of dense foliage, and fruit and pasture, as provision for you and your livestock.”

He thus mentioned grapes first. And in describing Paradise, He says:

“Indeed, the righteous will have triumph: gardens and grapevines.”

Nevertheless, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade calling grapes al-karm, saying:

“Al-karm is the believer’s heart.”

For nothing in this world contains more or greater goodness than the believer’s heart. The quality of karam (nobility) is ascribed to anything fine and praiseworthy. Allah Most High says:

“Have they not looked at the earth—how many noble kinds We have caused to grow in it?”

Ibn Qutaybah said: “Of every fine kind.” Al-Zajjāj said: “Zawj means ‘type,’ and karīm means ‘praiseworthy.’” Others explained “of every kind” as “of every class and variety,” and “noble” as “fine,” referring to plants eaten by people and livestock. One says “a noble date palm” when its fruit is good, and “a noble she-camel” when its milk is abundant.