Several Quran commentators have explained that there are two trees, one called markh and the other ‘afār. Whoever wishes to obtain fire from them cuts two twigs, like tooth-cleaning sticks, while both are still green and dripping water. The markh—the male—is then rubbed against the ‘afār—the female—and fire emerges from them by Allah’s permission, Exalted is He. The Arabs say, “Every tree contains fire, but markh and ‘afār have it in abundance.” Some people say, “Every tree contains fire except the jujube.”
“From which you then kindle your fires.”
These, then, are their fire-making implements.
The lexicographers, including al-Jawharī, have said: “The zand is the stick used to kindle fire, and it is the upper one. The zandah is the lower one, which has a hole in it; it is the female. Together, the two are called zandān.”
Those experienced in this explain that they rub the upper stick into the hole in the female, just as a male animal does with its female. This rubbing and friction release fine particles from both, from which fire is kindled. Fire is thus generated from the material of the male and the female, just as a child is generated from the substance of the man and the woman. Rubbing and striking the female implement with the male causes both to become hot, and each releases material from which fire is kindled. Similarly, when a male animal penetrates its female, chafing and rubbing her genitals with his, the heat of both intensifies, and each releases a substance that mingles with the other, producing offspring from the two. Fire is said to have “caught” in the material onto which the sparks are struck, which is