Chapter: The Believer Is Like A Plant And The Hypocrite And The Disbeliever Are Like Cedars

Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The similitude of a believer is that of (a standing) crop which the air continues to toss from one side to another; in the same way a believer always (receives the strokes) of misfortune. The similitude of a hypocrite is that of a cypress tree which does not move until it is uprooted.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with the same chain of transmitters, but with a slight variation of wording.

Ka'b reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said that the similitude of a believer is that of a standing crop in a field which is shaken by wind and then it comes to its original position but it stands at its roots. The similitude of a non-believer is that of a cypress tree which stands on its roots and nothing shakes it but it is uprooted (with) one (violent stroke).

Ka'b bin Malik reported on the authority of his father that the similitude of a believer is that of a standing crop. The wind sometimes shakes it and sometimes raises it up and then it comes to its destined end. And the similitude of a hypocrite is that of a cypress tree which is not affected by anything but is uprooted once for all.

This hadith has been narrated through another chain, of transmitters also.'Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: There is a tree amongst trees, the leaves of which do not wither and that is like a Muslim; tell me which that (tree) can be? The people began to think of the trees of the forest. 'Abdullah said: I thought that it could be the date-palm tree, but I felt hesitant (to say that). They (the Companions) then said: Allah's Messenger, (kindly) tell us which that can be? Thereupon he said: It is the date-palm tree. I made a mention of that to 'Umar, whereupon he said: Had you said that it meant the date-palm tree, this statement of yours (would have been dearer to me) than such and such things.'Abdullah bin 'Umar (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: There is a tree amongst trees, the leaves of which do not wither and that is like a Muslim; tell me which that (tree) can be? The people began to think of the trees of the forest. 'Abdullah said: I thought that it could be the date-palm tree, but I felt hesitant (to say that). They (the Companions) then said: Allah's Messenger, (kindly) tell us which that can be? Thereupon he said: It is the date-palm tree. I made a mention of that to 'Umar, whereupon he said: Had you said that it meant the date-palm tree, this statement of yours (would have been dearer to me) than such and such things.

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Ka'b through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording.