Archive for April 30th, 2008
“A Goodly Tree”
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
ِIn the Name of Allah Most-Compassionate, Most-Merciful
And the stars and the trees prostrate in adoration. (Qur’an, Rahman 55:6)
Allah draws many analogies, great and small, from the stars to the smallest of creatures, in order to teach us through means we are able to comprehend. One such analogy is that of the tree mentioned in Surah Ibrahim which perfectly illustrates, aptly compares, the human being to the tree. The prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, once said, ‘The believer is like a date-palm whose roots are shallow and which keeps giving’. One may think that a date-palm that provides so much fruit for so many centuries would require deep roots to draw its nutrients, but this is not the case, for Allah is showing that it is possible for the tree to be established, strong and firm and yet be generous in its fruit without being deeply attached to the world. Thus the believers are shown that it is possible to draw from the world easily without embedding oneself in it. Just as one would lower a bucket into a well to draw water, the sensible person would not dive in to do so, in the same way, like the roots of the tree being described, we only need to take from the world what we need, and for that, we do not need to dive into well of dunya to do so.
أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء
تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
وَمَثلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ كَشَجَرَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ اجْتُثَّتْ مِن فَوْقِ الأَرْضِ مَا لَهَا مِن قَرَارٍ
يُثَبِّتُ اللّهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ بِالْقَوْلِ الثَّابِتِ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الآخِرَةِ وَيُضِلُّ اللّهُ الظَّالِمِينَ وَيَفْعَلُ اللّهُ مَا يَشَاء
Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. And the parable of an evil Word is that of an evil tree: It is torn up by the root from the surface of the earth: it has no stability. Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter; but Allah will leave, to stray, those who do wrong: Allah doeth what He willeth. (Ibrahim 14:24-27)
Stars are the ornaments of the heavens and trees, as described in Surah Rahman, are the ‘ornaments of the earth’ . We can see why, for they are not only immensely pleasing to the eye but the benefits they provide are endless. They provide shelter from the wind and rain, shade from the heat of the sun. Their wood provides fuel for heating and cooking, from which can also be made furniture and all manner of utensils and useful tools. From their trunks we may carve boats, and build our houses. They enable us to make paper. They support an immense array of fauna. Whole eco-systems rely entirely on them. They keep us alive by breathing copious amounts of oxygen into the atmosphere, providing us with the air we need to sustain ourselves and they soak up equal amounts of carbon dioxide, without which that air would be unbreathable. Their leaves may be used to add flavour to our food, or used to weave baskets, ornaments, and even clothing. From them we draw resin with which to make rubber. Some hold water for the thirsty traveller. Many hold important remedies for ailments. They carry fruit in abundance throughout the year, feeding all the guests that choose to dine at their feet. They never refuse to do so. A dazzling array of fruits of vary colours and shapes, of textures and tastes. Their roots provide stability to the ground, their leaves nourishment. Trees possess virtues, for they never complain, are always patient no matter what they suffer. A goodly tree like good words stand firm, especially in the face of danger. Always remain united and seek the company of others, grow wiser as they grow older, and never fear death. We are commanded never to cut them down without due necessity, those especially that bear fruit, for they, like all trees are blessed. One of them lowered its branches over the noble messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, to shade him as he walked through the desert. One of them wept when it realised that the noble prophet (s) would no longer stand next to it to give his sermons. Their leaves fed the faithful and the prophet when they were exiled in the outskirts of Mecca by the Quraysh. They provided an abundance of dates to the believers of Medina when all other foods were scarse. Blessed by Allah are they, numerous are the blessings contained in the goodly tree. Protect and care for them and they will protect and care for us. This is the story of the goodly tree.
·24 Rabi-al-Thani 1429·
