r-t-b

Description

The Arabic root رطب (r-t-b) conveys the core meaning of moistness, freshness, and suppleness, as opposed to dryness and withering. In the Quran, it appears most notably in the story of Mary (Maryam) when she is told to shake the palm tree to receive fresh, ripe dates (rutab) during childbirth, symbolizing divine provision and the life-giving quality of fresh sustenance. The root emphasizes the contrast between living, nourishing moisture and barrenness, often carrying connotations of divine mercy and blessing through provision of fresh, wholesome sustenance.