Surah Ibrahim (14) — Ayah 26

(Ayah26){وَ مَثَلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيْثَةٍ … :} And by the filthy word (evil statement) is meant the statement of disbelief and polytheism. Its example is like that useless plant which has been uprooted and is so weak that its root cannot remain established in the earth. Even a slight gust of wind is enough to uproot it. Similarly, the word of disbelief is useless in every way in this world or the Hereafter; it will be of no benefit. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) took this to mean colocynth (bitter apple, indrain). [ ترمذی، تفسیر القرآن، باب و من سورۃ إبراہیم : ۳۱۱۹ ] However, this narration of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is not proven as marfu‘. [ ضعیف سنن الترمذی للألبانی : ۳۱۱۹ ] Tantawi said, this is only a hypothetical plant given as an example, which does not actually exist, but is mentioned only for explanation. In Tafsir Tabari, this statement is attributed to Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), but in it Qaboos bin Abi Zabyan is a weak narrator. Because whether it is colocynth or any other plant, in any case, even if not nutritional, it still has some medicinal benefits. The condition of the hypothetical useless plant is just like that of shirk and disbelief, which have neither any proof nor any effect on the heart, nor is any deed accepted with them. It is so baseless that a little reflection makes its baselessness clear. None of the deeds of a disbeliever ascend to the heavens nor are they accepted by Allah. This explanation seems appropriate, because disbelief and polytheism have no real existence; rather, they are only the following of illusion and conjecture, so its example is also appropriate with such a plant whose existence is hypothetical.