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الفتح الربانی
Fath al-Rabbani
تفسير من سورة إبراهيم إلى سورة الشعراءInterpretation from Surah Ibrahim to Surah Ash-Shu'ara
بَابُ:« اَلَمْ تَرَكَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةٌ طَيِّةٌ كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ »Chapter: "Have you not considered how Allah presents an example: a good word is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed"
Hadith 8644
اُردوEn
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي قَوْلِهِ {كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ} [إبراهيم: 24] قَالَ هِيَ الَّتِي لَا تَنْفُضُ وَرَقُهَا وَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) explained this verse {کَشَجَرَۃٍ طَیِّبَۃٍ} by saying: This is the tree whose leaves do not fall, and I thought that it was the date palm tree.
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The command of Allah, the Exalted, is: {اَلَمْ تَرَ کَیْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّٰہُ مَثَلًا کَلِمَۃً طَیِّبَۃً کَشَجَرَۃٍ طَیِّبَۃٍ اَصْلُہَا ثَابِتٌ وَّفَرْعُہَا فِی السَّمَائِ۔ تُؤْتِیْٓ اُکُلَہَا کُلَّ حِیْنٍ بِاِذْنِ رَبِّہَا وَیَضْرِبُ اللّٰہُ الْاَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّہُمْیَتَذَکَّرُوْنَ۔} (Surah Ibrahim: 24, 25)
Have you not seen how Allah sets forth a parable of a pure word? (It is) like a pure tree, whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches are in the sky. It gives its fruit at all times, by the permission of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind so that they may take heed.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir rahimahullah said in his Tafsir: Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma says that the “pure word” refers to the testimony of “la ilaha illallah” (there is no deity except Allah). The believer is like the pure tree; its root is firm, meaning that “la ilaha illallah” is firmly established in the heart of the believer. Its branches are in the sky, meaning that because of this word of tawhid (monotheism), his deeds are raised up towards the heavens. Many other commentators have also narrated that what is meant here are the deeds of the believer, his pure words, and righteous actions. The believer is like the date palm tree; at all times, every morning and evening, his deeds ascend to the heavens. A cluster of dates was brought to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Upon seeing it, he recited the first part of this verse and said that the “pure tree” refers to the date palm tree.
In the following hadith, this tree is further explained:
It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, among the trees is a tree whose leaves do not fall, and it is the example of the Muslim. Tell me, what is it?” The people began to think about the trees of the desert. Abdullah radi Allahu anhu said: It occurred to me that it was the date palm tree, but I felt shy to speak. Then they said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell us what it is!” He said: “It is the date palm tree.” (Sahih Bukhari: 61, 62, 131; Sahih Muslim: 8/137)
There is a tree whose leaves do not fall; the example of the believer is like that tree. Tell me, which tree is it? The people began to ponder over the various trees of the wilderness. Abdullah radi Allahu anhu says: I thought it was the date palm tree, but I was too shy to say so. Eventually, the Companions said: O Messenger of Allah, please clarify for us. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: It is the date palm tree.
The fruit of the date palm is eaten at several stages before it ripens. Its pit is used as fodder for animals. Nowadays, it is said that the date pit is beneficial for heart patients. After ripening, the fruit remains for a long time in the form of dried dates. This tree remains green throughout all twelve months of the year. Mats and ropes are made from its leaves. In short, in one way or another, this tree continues to provide benefit in every season of the year. This is the example of the believer: his existence is blessed, transcending time and place. He deals with everyone, high or low, with good character. He proves beneficial to everyone; no one is harmed by him, nor does anyone feel threatened by his presence. As much as possible, he benefits people without discrimination. Moreover, he lives his life in such a way that even after his death, people continue to benefit from his life.
Have you not seen how Allah sets forth a parable of a pure word? (It is) like a pure tree, whose root is firmly fixed and whose branches are in the sky. It gives its fruit at all times, by the permission of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind so that they may take heed.
Hafiz Ibn Kathir rahimahullah said in his Tafsir: Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas radi Allahu anhuma says that the “pure word” refers to the testimony of “la ilaha illallah” (there is no deity except Allah). The believer is like the pure tree; its root is firm, meaning that “la ilaha illallah” is firmly established in the heart of the believer. Its branches are in the sky, meaning that because of this word of tawhid (monotheism), his deeds are raised up towards the heavens. Many other commentators have also narrated that what is meant here are the deeds of the believer, his pure words, and righteous actions. The believer is like the date palm tree; at all times, every morning and evening, his deeds ascend to the heavens. A cluster of dates was brought to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. Upon seeing it, he recited the first part of this verse and said that the “pure tree” refers to the date palm tree.
In the following hadith, this tree is further explained:
It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Indeed, among the trees is a tree whose leaves do not fall, and it is the example of the Muslim. Tell me, what is it?” The people began to think about the trees of the desert. Abdullah radi Allahu anhu said: It occurred to me that it was the date palm tree, but I felt shy to speak. Then they said: “O Messenger of Allah, tell us what it is!” He said: “It is the date palm tree.” (Sahih Bukhari: 61, 62, 131; Sahih Muslim: 8/137)
There is a tree whose leaves do not fall; the example of the believer is like that tree. Tell me, which tree is it? The people began to ponder over the various trees of the wilderness. Abdullah radi Allahu anhu says: I thought it was the date palm tree, but I was too shy to say so. Eventually, the Companions said: O Messenger of Allah, please clarify for us. He sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: It is the date palm tree.
The fruit of the date palm is eaten at several stages before it ripens. Its pit is used as fodder for animals. Nowadays, it is said that the date pit is beneficial for heart patients. After ripening, the fruit remains for a long time in the form of dried dates. This tree remains green throughout all twelve months of the year. Mats and ropes are made from its leaves. In short, in one way or another, this tree continues to provide benefit in every season of the year. This is the example of the believer: his existence is blessed, transcending time and place. He deals with everyone, high or low, with good character. He proves beneficial to everyone; no one is harmed by him, nor does anyone feel threatened by his presence. As much as possible, he benefits people without discrimination. Moreover, he lives his life in such a way that even after his death, people continue to benefit from his life.
