The statesman continued, "O young man, in contrast to the hypocrites, a real Muslim should always bring benefits to those around him. 'Al-Bukhari recorded that ‘Abdullah bin Umar said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when he asked, 'Tell me about a tree that resembles the Muslim, the leaves of which do not fall in summer or winter and gives its fruit at all times by the leave of its Rabb.' Ibn Umar said, "I thought of the date palm tree, but felt shy to answer when I saw that Abu Bakr and Umar did not talk. When they did not give an answer, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, 'It is the date palm tree.' When we departed, I said to Umar, 'My father, by Allah! I thought that it was the date tree.’ He said, Why did you not speak then?’ I said, 'I saw you were silent and I felt shy to say anything.’ Umar said, 'Had you said it, it would have been more precious to me than such things (i.e., would have been very precious to me)'."
This may seem odd, but Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala gives us the explanation in a parable. Allah says,
Here, Allah has likened the good word to the good tree because the outcome of a good word is a good deed, and a good tree will also yield beneficial and good fruits. This meaning is obvious and apparent, and in conformity with the view adopted by the majority of scholars of Tafsir who say that the good word in this ayah means the Shahadah, the declaration "La ilaha illallah" (none has the right to be worship but Allah). For indeed the fruits of this statement are all hidden and manifest good deeds since every good deed pleasing Allah Ta'ala has to be a result of this statement.أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ"Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?" - [QS.14:24]
تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الأمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ"It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded." - [QS.14:25]
Ibn ‘Abbas, radiyallahu 'anhu, said regarding, ‘whose root is firmly fixed’ refers to the statement, "La ilaha illallah" that is established in the heart of believers - “and it branches (high) in the sky" refers to the deeds of believers that are elevated to the sky by the means of this statement.
If one contemplates this comparison, he will realise that it perfectly corresponds to the tree of Tawhid, whose roots are fixed in the heart of a believer, whose branches comprising of good deeds, are raised high in the sky and continuing to provide the fruits of good deeds depending on the firmness and well-stablishment of Tawhid in the heart - the level of love that a heart has for it, the level of understanding of its reality and truths - and the level to which a person is appropriately mindful to the rights of the deed.
He is successful who has this good word, established firmly in his heart, understands its reality and his heart is engulfed with its characteristics; his tongue testifies its correctness and his limbs act upon what it necessitates. His heart and tongue affirm and negate that which Tawhid affirms and negates, while his limbs submit willingly and in totality to the Commandments of Allah similar to how his heart accepts no Lord but its truthful Creator. Undoubtedly, this good word which emanates from the heart and is uttered by the tongue continues to bear its fruit. The good deeds that are raised to the Lord of all Worlds are those that yield plenty of good fruits whenever it accompanies a good deed by which it ascends the good word. Allah said,
مَنْ كَانَ يُرِيدُ الْعِزَّةَ فَلِلَّهِ الْعِزَّةُ جَمِيعًا إِلَيْهِ يَصْعَدُ الْكَلِمُ الطَّيِّبُ وَالْعَمَلُ الصَّالِحُ يَرْفَعُهُ وَالَّذِينَ يَمْكُرُونَ السَّيِّئَاتِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَكْرُ أُولَئِكَ هُوَ يَبُورُ
"Whoever desires honor [through power] - then to Allah belongs all honor. To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those - it will perish." - [QS.35:10]
Some of the righteous predecessors said that the good tree is the date-palm tree. Some of them also said that the good tree is the believer. There is no contradicdon between these two interpretations, because the intended meaning of the example is the believer, who also shares many similarities with the date-palm tree. Thus, since the date-palm tree is a goodly tree then it is more befitting to say that the believer is similar to it. And though some of the righteous predecessors said, ‘thegoodly tree is a tree in paradise; it is also known that the date-palm tree is amongst the most honourable of trees in paradise.
Within this example, we find secrets, knowledge and cognition that conform to the W isdom and Knowledge of Allah. For example, since a tree must have roots, a trunk,sapwood, branches, leaves and fruit - the tree of iman and Islam must have similar elements so that the likened is exactly what it is likened to. The sapwood is knowledge, understanding and certainty, its trunk is sincerity, its branches are deeds; and the fruits are guidance, good manners and a good character. Knowing how firm and well-established this goodly tree is in the heart, can be noted through these elements.
When a person's knowledge is sound and based upon the Qur'an, his belief matches what Allah and His Messengers (ﷺ) informed us about Him; his heart is sincere and his actions conform to the Commandments of Allah - his manners and characteristics conform to these fundamentals. It becomes evident that the roots of the tree of Iman in his heart are firmly taxed with its branches reaching into the sky. On the other hand, in the case that is opposite to the aforementioned example, one will realise that it is an evil tree that has been planted in the heart. A tree that is without stability, uprooted from the earth,and deprived of water, and such as trees as we know, cannot survive and will eventually dry up and perish.
Allah keeps the believers firm in this life and in the Hereafter with a word that stands firm. Al-Bara bin ‘Azib said that the Prophet (ﷺ) said,
References :"...When a believing slave is reaching the end of his term in the life of this world and the beginning of his term in the Hereafter, a group of angels , whose faces are white and as radiant as die sun, will descend onto him from heaven. They will carry with them white shroud from Paradise, and fragrance for enshrouding from Paradise. They will sit as far from him as the sight goes. Then, the angel of death, will come until he sits right next to his head, saying, “ O, good and pure soul! Depart (your body) to Allah’ s forgiveness and pleasure." So the soul flows (out of its body), just as the drop flows out from the tip of the jug , and the angel of death captures it. When he captures the soul , they (the group of angels) will not leave it with him for more than an instance, and they will seize it and wrap it in that shroud, and in that fragrance. A most pleasant musk scent ever found on the earth, will flow out of the soul, and the angels will ascend it (to heaven). They will not pass by, but they will say, “ Whose is this Tayyib (good) soul?" They (the angels wlw are ascending the soul) will reply, “Such person, the son of such and such person," - calling him by the best names that he used to be called in the world. They will reach the lower heaven and will ask that its door be opened for him, and it will be opened for them. The best residents of every heaven will then see him to the next heaven, until he is brought to the seventh heaven. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will say, "List my servants record in 'Illiyyin' and send him back to earth, for I have created them from it, and into it I shall return them, and from it I shall bring them out once again."Anas bin Malik reported the Prophet (ﷺ) having said,
The soul will be joined with its body, and two angels will come to him, sit him up and ask him, "Who is your Rabb?" He will say, "Allah is my Rabb." They will ask him, “ What is your religion?" He will say, " My religion is Islam." They will say to him, “ What do you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)) who was sent to you?" He will say, " He is the Messenger of Allah." They will ask him, "And what proof do you have about it?" He will say, "I read the Book of Allah (the Qur'an), and had faith and belief in him." Then, a caller (Allah) will herald from heaven, "My servant has said the truth. Therefore, furnish him from Paradise, and let him wear from (the clothes of) Paradise, and open a door for him to Paradise." So he is given from Paradise's tranquillity and good scent, and his grave will be expanded for him as far as his sight can reach. Then, a man, with a handsome face and handsome clothes and whose scent is pleasant, will come to him, saying, “Receive the glad tidings with that which pleases you. This is the Day which you were promised." He will ask him, "Who are you; for yours is the face that carries the good news?" He will reply, “I am your good works." He will say, "O Rabb! Hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, hurry up with the commencement of the Hour, so l can return to my family and my wealth...." - [Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]
"When the servant is placed in his grave, his companions retrace their steps, and he hears the noise of their footsteps, two angels come to him and make him sit and say to him, 'What you have to say about this person (the Prophet(ﷺ))?' If he is a believer, he would say, 'I bear testimony to the fact that he is a servant of Allah and His Messenger.' Then it would be said to him, 'Look to your seat in the Hellfire, for Allah has substituted (the seat of yours) with a seat in Paradise.' Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'He would be shown both the seats.' Qatada said, 'It was mentioned to us that his grave (the grave of a believer) expands to seventy cubits and is full with verdure until the Day when they would be resurrected'." - [Sahih Muslim]Generally speaking, when a plant is not being looked after, it will eventually dry up and die, which explains why the slaves of Allah are in great need of acts of worship that He Commanded them to perform in the day and at night. It is from His Mercy, His Benignity and Grace upon His slaves and He Legislated such acts of worship, which are the water that irrigates the plants of Tawhid that He placed within our hearts. It is also common for alien and harmful plants to mix within the beneficial crop. Thus, when the one in charge of these crops tends to look after them regularly and purifies them of these intruders, they will grow healthy and yield large and beneficial harvest. However, when the person in charge of these crops becomes neglectful, they will be overtaken by weeds and harmful plants and as a result, the crops will be impared, and the fruits will be damaged. Those who lack clear understanding and knowledge of these matters will miss many profitable gains without even realising it. That said, the believer is always pruning and watering this plant so that it is everlasting, and he uproots all other harmful plants and weeds from its surroundings to assure its healthy growth. And in Allah we place our trust.
These are just some of the secrets and wisdom contained within this magnificent example, which may be just a drop in the ocean as we comprehend but a little from the secrets of Allah due to our state of mind, weak hearts, deficient knowledge and deeds that necessitate the seeking of forgiveness. For indeed, if our hearts were purified, our minds were clear, our souls were in order and our deeds were performed with sincerity and devotion, we would have derived many remarkable meanings and wisdom from the Words of Allah; wisdom that overshadows all other intellects. This comparison illustrates for us the elevated and blessed level of knowledge and understanding of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, because the difference between their knowledge and understanding and that of the people who came after them is as vast as the difference between their virtue and that of the people who came after – and Allah knows best, the places to which He allocates His Grace and to whom He favours with His Mercy."
Then the statesman said, "O young man, this parable describes the believer’s deeds, good statements and good actions. The believer is just like the beneficial date-palm tree, always having good actions ascending at all times, by day and by night. This is how the Muslim should be. Always bringing benefit to those around us. The benefits of the “good word” is not only limited to this life, but also the next by providing steadfastness, in the same way a palm tree does not waiver in the wind and can withstand all the elements. And Allah know best."
يُثَبِّتُ اللَّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللَّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ"Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills." - [QS.14:27]
- Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, Paragons of the Qur'an, Daar Us-Sunnah
- Syaikh Safiurrahman Al-Mubarakpuri, Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged) Volume V, Darussalam
