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Why is a believer like a palm tree?

Why is a believer like a palm tree?
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May 28, 2021
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 عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ إِنَّ مِنَ الشَّجَرِ شَجَرَةً لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَإِنَّهَا مَثَلُ الْمُسْلِمِ، فَحَدِّثُونِي مَا هِيَ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَوَقَعَ النَّاسُ فِي شَجَرِ الْبَوَادِي‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ وَوَقَعَ فِي نَفْسِي أَنَّهَا النَّخْلَةُ، فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ ثُمَّ قَالُوا حَدِّثْنَا مَا هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏”‏ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ ‏”‏‏.‏البخاري

 Ibn Umar narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him) said:

“Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt shy to answer the others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him)?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.” (Bukhari)

Making people think

There are many things to learn from this hadith. First we note that the Prophet (peace be on him) taught his companions through questions. He wanted them to think. In this hadith, he could have said the believer is like a palm tree, as simple as that. But he did not, as he wanted them to use their intellect. That is why he posed this question and invited them to respond.

Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Ibn Umar, the narrator of the hadith, was young. He was only 10 years old at the time of Hijrah.  When no adult answered the question, he stayed silent. Later he told his father that he knew the answer but he did not say it. His father said he wished he had said it, as this would have meant the world to him!

ابْنَ عُمَرَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ شَجَرَةٍ خَضْرَاءَ، لاَ يَسْقُطُ وَرَقُهَا، وَلاَ يَتَحَاتُّ ‏”‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ الْقَوْمُ هِيَ شَجَرَةُ كَذَا‏.‏ هِيَ شَجَرَةُ كَذَا، فَأَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَقُولَ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ‏.‏ وَأَنَا غُلاَمٌ شَابٌّ فَاسْتَحْيَيْتُ، فَقَالَ ‏”‏ هِيَ النَّخْلَةُ ‏”‏‏.‏ وَعَنْ شُعْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا خُبَيْبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ مِثْلَهُ وَزَادَ فَحَدَّثْتُ بِهِ عُمَرَ فَقَالَ لَوْ كُنْتَ قُلْتَهَا لَكَانَ أَحَبَّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ كَذَا وَكَذَا‏.‏ البخاري.

Ibn `Umar narrated:

The Prophet (peace be on him) said, “The example of a believer is like a green tree, the leaves of which do not fall.” The people said. “It is such-and-such tree: It is such-and-such tree.” I intended to say that it was the date palm tree, but I was a young boy and felt shy (to answer). The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “It is the date-palm tree.” Ibn `Umar added, ” I told that to `Umar who said, ‘Had you said it, I would have preferred it to such-and such a thing.” (Bukhari)

Inspired from a young age

We see here the inspiration which Allah Almighty gave Ibn ‘Umar. He was very committed to the sunnah. On one occasion he saw a vision which he narrated it to his sister Hafsa, who asked the Prophet (peace be on him) about it. The Prophet (peace be on him) mentioned that Abdullah was a good servant of Allah, especially if he were to pray during the night. When she relayed this to him, he never missed praying qiyam al layl til he died. He was a great scholar, companion and source of fatwahs.

The comparison with a palm tree

Why did the Prophet (peace be on him) use the analogy of the palm tree for the believer? In particular he chose the palm tree because everyone was familiar with the palm tree (al nakhla). It is strong tree lives for a long time and bears fruit which they used on a daily basis.

The palm tree is beneficial

It is one of the most widely used trees on the planet. Everything on the tree- even some roots- are reused in some way, shape or form.  Each bit of it yields something beneficial, be it the oil, the wood and fruit or the palm leaves.

No wonder the date palm is referred to as ‘The Tree of Life’ in the Middle East, and is one of the oldest forms of palm, producing dates, which we all know are densely packed with nutrition.

Palm trees are regularly used as constructive building material for house walls, rafters and roofing. Making thatched roof coverings, and as logs for bridges. The fiber can also be woven to make carpet and wall coverings, as well as practical household items such as brooms, baskets and even furniture.

Some of the best wax available for scented candles come from palms. Due to its natural climates, palm wax does not melt in hot weather, and holds and emits fragrance longer than paraffin wax. And has been used for sealing important documents.

The palm fronds which grow to 3-5 metres long have a myriad uses, and apart from being woven into fences and carpets, can be used as fuel, and nutritional feed for livestock.

Even the dead leaves can be used as mulch.

Tall and strong

The date palm grow quickly and reaches up to 75 feet in height, with strong straight trunks and iconic feather-shaped leaves.

Survive rough weather

They continue to produce fruit for a long time and can survive long droughts and extremely high temperatures.

Shade

The palm tree is evergreen, so it provides shade throughout the year. This gives people coolness from the heat of scorching sun.

Fruitful

Palms are highly valued because they provide abundant food in tough climates. Dates have a variety of forms, from when they are raw, then ripe, and then dried.

Their stones also have many uses including as animal feed, coffee additives, medicine, and fuel. They can be polished into beads for a tasbih.

Unlike other trees, a date palm gives fruit more as it grows older.

Health supplements

Other than the nutrition in date and its stone, the inner core of the palm tree yields palmetto which can be eaten in salads and is used to make natural health supplements.

The heart

The believer, like the palm tree, has a heart. It is the very inner core at the top of the trunk where the leaves are formed-often call the crown or the bud.

Diverse forms

With many different kinds growing in hot climates all over the world, from rainforests to deserts, the diversity of different species have aided us for infinite uses over thousands of years, it is easy to see why palm trees are among the most useful resources we have today.

The believer

The Prophet (peace be on him) could have chosen any other tree, but the palm tree has certain qualities which make it an excellent choice. As we have seen the palm tree is hugely beneficial, and its heart is white. Similarly a believer is beneficial and his heart is pure. He reaches out to help others, just as the branches of the palm spread out and provide shade.

The fruit of the palm is sweet and nutritious, and the believer is sweet and full of goodness.

Resilient

The tree is strong and able to live in a harsh climate, providing fruit in abundance. It survives in harsh weather, and does not break even during strong winds.

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَثَلُ الْمُؤْمِنِ كَمَثَلِ الزَّرْعِ لَا تزَال الريح تميله وَلَا يزَال الْمُؤمن يصبيه الْبَلَاءُ وَمَثَلُ الْمُنَافِقِ كَمَثَلِ شَجَرَةِ الْأَرْزَةِ لَا تهتز حَتَّى تستحصد» متفق عليه.

 Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) reported God’s Messenger (peace be on him) as saying:

“The believer is like a plant which is continually swayed by the wind, for the believer is continually afflicted by trial; but the hypocrite is like a cedar tree which does not shake till it is cut down.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Unlike the cedar tree which may snap in the wind and is only pliable when it is chopped down, the believer, like the tree may bend under pressure but straightens up again. It stays strong and rooted and sticks to his principles and imaan.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) as saying:

A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in both. (Muslim)

This is what is happening with Palestine and other places across the globe where Muslims are enduring oppression. They are afflicted but they are strong inshallah. They will stand up again and protect their rights. And be like the palm tree, useful and beneficial and strong.

Reflections of Imam Qushayri on the tree

Imam al-Qushayri beautifully described the essence of the tree as being knowledge and imaan, accompanied by true evidence, which is the revelation, understanding, and intellect. Just like you would care for and maintain a tree, you should also take care of yourself. It is important to avoid anything that may harm your well-being, just as you would avoid pruning a tree at the wrong time or making cuts in its trunk. You should strive to do whatever is necessary to keep yourself healthy and nourished.

In this analogy, the branches of the tree represent good deeds, which begin with fulfilling obligations and refraining from prohibitions. The leaves symbolise the etiquettes of obedience, while the blossoms represent good character. The fruits of this tree are the sweetness of obedience and the joy of servitude. Just as there are different varieties of trees with diverse scents, shapes, and flavours, the fruits of obedience take on various forms, flavours, scents, and shapes. Each individual servant will find in their heart the sweetness of obedience, a sense of ease in their chest, comfort in their consciousness, intimacy with their Lord, or a yearning for closeness to Him.

Unlike the fruits of earthly trees that come once a year, the fruits of this spiritual tree last forever. There will be no shortage or restriction in enjoying the fruits of Jannah (Paradise). Similarly, the fruits of this spiritual tree are the most honorable, and the lights it emanates are the most subtle and illuminating. This tree is considered good because it originates from a devout heart filled with sincerity.

Just as a tree needs continuous care in the form of watering, this spiritual tree also requires constant attention and nurturing. By engaging in acts of worship, seeking knowledge, and deepening one’s faith, the tree of the heart can flourish and grow, bearing fruits that bring eternal bliss and fulfilment.

May Allah make us firm in our deen to uphold the truth and help the truthful ones and protect our rights. Ameen

Shaykh Haytham Tamim Thought for the Week 28th May 2021

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Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.

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