Ep. 02: Two Types of Trees | Examples from the Quran

Surah Ibrahim, Verse 24; [“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.”] This is an example of belief and disbelief. Allah (SWT) belief to a certain type of tree, and in the next verse, disbelief to another kind of tree. Let’s look at the example. “Have you not seen how Allah (SWT) gives the example?” Now, this question is to direct our attention to something important that we should notice, because sometimes, belief and disbelief come to us and create a confusion, almost as if they are standing in opposition to one another, and a person falls into some kind of confusion and doubt. Allah (SWT) says that we should never put ourselves in that position because when we understand the concrete example of these abstract concepts, you’ll realize that you do not need to be afraid of kufr or daunted by it. It will be easy for you to choose belief and the things that go along with it every single time when you realize the nature of both. Allah (SWT) has given the example of a “pure word”, or pure statement. Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) says, “This is a statement of shahada”. Allah compares the shahada, and scholars say, by extension, that it refers to Iman itself. This faith, which is rooted in belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT); it indicates purity and the fruitfulness of the tree, or an extremely beautiful and beneficial tree. It’s free of flaws and problems. What about this tree? Its roots are very firmly imbedded deep into the ground, and its branches are reaching high into the sky. The firm roots represent the tree being immovable and unable to be uprooted by man or strong winds. Its branches are also shooting into the sky, and this tree is bearing fruit all the time, regardless of seasons. It bears fruit every day of the year, day and night, and every moment of the day, and there is no part of the year where it is not bearing fruit. Like this, Allah (SWT) gives examples. On the other side, the example of a wretched word, meaning a word of kufr, shirk or disbelief itself, is like a wretched tree, meaning it is bereft of any benefit. It is void of any good, and neither gives fruit, shade or is it useful for anything. It is a completely useless tree. It was uprooted from above the ground and there is no stability or strength to it.

Now, look at these two: the pure word, the word of Iman itself, is this beautiful perfect tree. Its roots go deep into the ground, meaning Iman is embedded deep into the core of a person’s heart. But Iman does not stay in just the core of one’s heart; its branches shoot high into the sky, like the hadith talks about the branches of Iman, whether it is to do with the branches pertaining to beliefs, to worships, to human rights, characteristics, conducts, morals, or values. There are so many branches of Iman, so as this is deeply rooted in the heart, it is shooting into the sky, and these branches are bearing fruit all the time. Iman does not stay hidden; it shows itself in the form and characteristics all the time. When a person is alone, some parts of their Iman will be reflected in seclusion; when a person is in public, their Iman will also be manifested. When they are speaking, it will be in the reflection of their faith. When they’re earning, spending, or with their family, their faith will also be reflected. These branches are shooting everywhere and are giving fruit all the time. Iman shows itself in the form of actions all the time. These are the fruits of Iman; the good choices we make and the practical implication of our faith that we carry out during our lives. These are the fruits of Iman, and of course, every single one of them brings immense rewards to us, here in this world and in the hereafter. The tree itself is immovable and unshakeable. On the other side, you have a useless tree; no fruit, no shade, and no benefit of any kind. It is pulled out as a dead, limp and lifeless tree. You did not have to dig up the ground to dig it out because its roots are flimsy and weak, and they are not embedded in the ground; nor does it have any strength. This tree can be torn right off of the surface without any effort. There is nothing grounding it. Similarly, there is no grounding for kufr; the talks of kufr, the words of kufr. There is no base for them. They don’t have a foundation or roots. They are very easy to uproot. Iman is something very powerful and goes very deep, and it shows, reflects and manifests itself all the time. What a beautiful comparison between belief and disbelief. May Allah (SWT) enable us to grow this tree of faith deep into our hearts, high into the sky, and benefit from its fruits at all times, and may Allah (SWT) save us from the useless tree of disbelief that has no benefit for anyone; not to any animal, not to any human being, and not to any value in this world or the hereafter.