The Parable
"See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? A Kalimah Tayyibah (goodly word) a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches towards the sky, giving its fruits at all times by the leave of its Lord. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability." (Quran 14:24-26)
Object of the parable
Look at one of Allah’s beautiful creation, the date palm tree with its green-silver feathery palms. Its trunk firmly rooted as it ascends, towering magnificently towards the sky. Its trunk firm, wide, and strong never swaying, as the gusting winds swirl forth gushing. With other trees shedding their leaves, it remains evergreen with no fallen leaves, as the seasons bring forth their changes. Numerous bounties Our Lord has given us from its edible fruits, providing us with nutritious goodness, healing from Sihr, and a selection of dates with different tastes sweet when ripened.
Meaning of Kalimah Tayyibah
Before discussing the meaning of this parable we should understand the meaning of the term Kalimah Tayyibah, which translates into a goodly word. It refers to the truly beloved expression ‘Laa ilaaha illallah,’ for this is the goodly word and there is no good without it.
"Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Abdullah bin Abbaas commented that Allah's statement 'Kalimah Tayyibah' refers to testifying to 'Laa ilaaha illallah." (tafseer Al Quran by ibn Katheer)
Meaning of the parable.
The goodly tree represents the believer who has uttered the Kalimah Tayyibah with love, sincerity, truthfulness and knowledge of its meaning and reality. When this goodly word settles into the heart with Emaan it becomes our Aqeedah firmly tied, well planted and rooted. The heart of the believer is free from swaying thoughts, suspicions and doubts with the believer submitting to Allah with full acceptance that ‘Laa ilaaha illallah,’ there is no illaah but Allah, there is none worthy of worship but Allah. A goodly word a goodly tree!
The branches of this goodly tree represent the intention and ascension of the believers’ deeds, with the deeds being performed for the sole sake of Allah, full of Ikhlaas and an ever hopeful heart.
The fruits represent the righteous deeds of the believer. Allah accepts the correct intentions and brings forth the deeds of the believer, allowing them to mature into rightly guided righteous actions. And the believers are constantly bringing forth their fruits with a variety of righteous deeds performed with the passage of days and nights, from the guarding of the prayers within their prescribed times to the Sabr and Shukr of varied times. No praise for the believers, All praise be to Allah who directs His slaves to good deeds by His permission and leave. Goodly deeds based upon a goodly word!
The evil tree represents the disbelievers who utter the evil word of Kufr and Shirk, rejecting the spectacular signs within creation that testify to Allah’s existence, and associating partners in worship with Him, while He alone created all creation. Such people have no purpose in life with their existence being weak and frail, easily uprooted with no stability in belief nor any fruits from their actions.
Written by Kamillah Khan
