Believer is like a Date Palm Tree

 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?

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.

[Ibrahim – 24,25]

 

“Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word”

 

What is the “good word”?

 

1)   The good word of Iman.

[Statement: Kalima Tayibah – la Ilaha illAllah (there is no God but Allah)]

2)   Speech in which Allah is mentioned.

3)   Word of Allah and His messenger. [Qur’an and Sunnah

4)   Believer –[who says the kalima tayibah and also believes in it (actions testify to his belief)]

 

Basically, it includes;

1)   Good statement

2)   Person who says this good statement

 

“…Like a good tree”

 

What does the “good tree” refer to?

 

`Abdullah bin `Umar said, "We were with the Messenger of Allah 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 Lord.' 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 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) [Al-Bukhari]

We learn from this hadith that the good tree refers to the date palm tree.

 

How does a believer resemble a date palm tree?

 

Lets look at the qualities of a date palm tree.

 

“…Whose root is firmly fixed”

 

1) The roots of a date palm tree are very deep under ground. (Approximately from 4 to 10 meters)

The kalima tayibah (la Ilaha illAllah) is firmly grounded in their hearts. (They have Yaqeen /certainty)

2) It does not grow right away.

A believer first deeply roots his iman/faith in his heart then starts to grow in amal/actions.

3) The trunk is straight and tall. [It can be spotted from far].

The believer is:

• Straight forward.

• Stands out from others because of his good character.

Note: The date palm tree grows in a dessert. So when a person sees a date palm tree, in the hot dessert, he longs for it and it’s share and it’s fruits.

• When a believer is seen in the outskirts, people are naturally inclined towards him and long to be with him.

“…Its branches [high] in the sky”

 

4) The branches reach out to the sky

The believer’s actions also reach out to the sky and their good deeds are also not affected by people

Note: when the roots are stronger, the higher the tree stands.

So as the believer’s iman/faith is strong, the amal/deeds increase.

 

“It produces its fruit all the time…”

5) It is evergreen.

The believer, no matter what season, is always a believer.

• Always doing good deeds.

• Never wasting time.

6) The fruit is ALWAYS sweet

No matter what the circumstances, a believer never makes that an excuse to not do good.

• A believer is also sweet (not bitter)

Note: The date palm still gives it’s fruits even when it’s burning hot and dry.

• A believer never makes excuses nor tries to look for justifications for not doing an obligation or sunnah.

7) The fruit is ALWAYS beneficial and energizing

A believer is also beneficial to others (not sometimes but rather all the times)

Other people feed off of the energy of a believer.

• Believer is always positive

8) Every part of the tree is beneficial

Believer uses all of his limbs and abilities to benefit himself and others.

9) Tree is very strong and can grow on less water.

Believer is productive despite the lack of resources.

    10) Tree takes provision from both the sky and the earth.

Believer takes his provision from:

• Earth: fruits/vegetables/oxygen/people/animals

• Sky: Rain/sun/Revelation (Qur’an)

Signifying – A believer takes provision from everything.

We can also see the contrast of above (sky) and below (earth).

• Believer takes knowledge from both young and old

11) Fruit is beneficial in all stages of life

Believer is always doing good. He doesn’t wait for old age to perform a deed. He does them all the time and anytime he gets an opportunity.

 

“…by permission of its Lord.”

 

Note: All of this is done by the permission of Allah (s.w.t)

So a believer ALWAYS seeks Allah (s.w.t)’s help and acknowledges that he has not performed such deeds without the help of Allah (s.w.t).

“And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.”

A believer always reflects on the ayaats/verses of Allah (s.w.t) and takes a lesson.

 

After comparing the qualities of a date palm tree and a believer, we need to reflect.

Are we doing all that is required of us?

How is our iman? Is it deeply rooted or are we going to blow away by the wind?

How is our amal? Are we consistent? Are we putting our best efforts to make our deeds reach the sky?

How is our fruit? Do we give any fruits? Do we give fruits despite the harsh circumstances? Do we give a fruit then follow it up by bitterness?

Are we evergreen? Do we stand firm no matter what?

Lastly, having read all this, did we take a lesson for our selves and make a goal to improve in our characteristics?

 

 

[ Taken from Tafsir and Living Qur'an class ]