Surah As Saffat Tafseer

And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.

Ibn Mas`ud and Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, Mujahid, Ikrimah, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Wahb bin Munabbih, Hilal bin Yasaf, Abdullah bin Tawus, As-Suddi, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak, Ata' Al-Khurasani and several others, all said that;

"gourd means squash."

Some of them mentioned that the squash has a number of benefits:it grows quickly, its leaves offer shade because of their large size and smooth texture, flies do not come near it, and its fruits provide good nourishment; they may be eaten raw or cooked, and both the pulp and the peel may be eaten.

It was reported that the Messenger of Allah used to like squash and would look for it wherever it was on the serving dish.

وَأَرْسَلْنَاهُ إِلَى مِيَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ