Good word like a good tree 97 2003(amended)

Addendum to notes: “MODULE ON ISLAM FOR CATHOLIC SEMINARIAN” - ST. FRANCIS XAVIER MAJOR SEMINARY (SINGAPORE) 2008

PARABLE: “A Good Word is like a Good Tree”
Reflection by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail on Qur’an: Surah Ibrahim: 14: ayat 24-25

[http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/]

‫أَل َ ۡم ح َ َر لَ ۡي َف َضب ٱَّلل َمثَل ََِك َم ً۬اة ط ِّي َب ً۬اة‬
َ ‫َ َ َ َّ ُ ً۬ ا‬
‫لَشج َر ً۬ة ط ِّي َبة‬
َ َ َ
َّ ُ ً۬
‫أَصلُهَا ََثبِت َوف َ ۡرغهَا ِِف ٱلس َما ٓ ِء‬ ۡ
‫ث ُۡؤ ِِت ُأڪلَهَا ُك حي ِب ِإ ۡذن َرِّبِّ َ ۗا‬
ِ ِ ِۭ ِ َّ ُ ُ ٓ
ِ َ َ ۡ ُ َّ ُ ِ ۡ
‫َويَۡضب ٱَّلل ٱۡل ۡمث َال لِلنَّاس‬
‫ل ََؼلَّه ُۡم ي َ َخذڪ ُرون‬
َ َّ َ
"Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable (similitude)?― a goodly Word like a goodly
tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens― It brings forth
its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables (similitude) for
men, in order that they may receive admonition. "
(Qur'an: Surah Ibrahim: 14: 24-25)

REFLECTION

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"Sub-HaanAllaah" (Glory be to Allah) When I reflect that the main message of al-Islam is
Tawheed ("Laa-ilaaha-il-lalLaah" – there is no god except Allah), the kalimah (statement)
given to every Prophets being "a good word" (kalimah toy-yibah) from Allah, from thence its
teachings bloom and grow - this parable (similitude) is most apparent and profoundly apt.

Consider the SHAHADATAIN (declaration as a witness to the 2 kalimah – “there is
no god except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”). This is the first pillar of
Islam, the way to becoming a Muslim. It is like the seed, containing every potential to a tree,
be it the foundational creed (like the root), and the covenant to uphold the edifice of a way
of life of submission to Allah, exuding goodness and righteous deeds (like the branches and
the manner how a good tree is bound to grow). This requires continuous nurturing through
affirmation with right knowledge and practice (‘ilm wa ‘amal). The declaration of this
SHAHADATAIN contains both, conviction of its truth, as well as the first act of commitment -
a promise to always strive to uphold it as a 'Witness' unto all & every nation - that I am a
Muslim. With my life I bear witness to all, that there is none to be worshipped except Allah
alone, Who has neither associate nor partner, and Muhammad s.a.w. is a servant and the
Messenger of Allah.

Just as a seed when first nurtured in the ground must begin to grow, SHAHADATAIN is that
growth, the impetus, motivation, the self-actualization that must be kept alive with striving
and continual struggling, come what may. Just as the seedling grow in two directions, the
root (hidden underneath the soil) as well the outward manifestation of its sprouts. Similarly,
in SHAHADATAIN, it represents the underlying creed (belief system i.e. aqidah - "arkaan al-
iiman," of the unseen or ‘al-ghayb’) as well as the commitment, consciously declared
without being coerced, to fulfil the subsequent practices in submission to the Will of our
Creator ("arkaan al-Islam"-pillars of Islam). Just as a seed has the potential to split the
hardest of rocks, so too the Shahadah of a true Muslim has the life-giving propensity that
motivate a Muslim to sincerely strive in God’s way, giving him the determination in
overcoming every obstacle along the pathway towards gaining proximity to His Creator. For
his life is but this reality: to live-up to being a witness to this Truth: That to Allah he belongs,



and unto Allah shall be his return; his entire servitude, worship, devotion, sacrifices, life and
death are all sincerely meant only for Allah, Lord Sustainer of all the worlds.

AQIDAH (the Islamic creed) enumerated by the Prophet s.a.w. as ("arkaan-al-iiman") is an
important aspect of the 'growth' of a Muslim. its acquisition requires development of
conviction to the Truth and the meanings of life and Existence that it seek to inculcate, unto
which we are to bind ourselves to them, as anchor - making us to remain firm and stable
throughout the trials & tribulations of life. The creed covers a spectrum which is necessary
to understand the true meaning and Reality and existence comprising belief in Allah, His
angels, His Revealed Books, His Prophets, Judgement Day and life in Hereafter and the
Decree and knowledge of Allah (Qada’ wa Qadr). Thus as Muslims, our belief concerning
these cannot remain static but must be nurtured to continuously grow ever deeper - our
understanding of them, ever profound and penetrative. As nobody else could see this
growth, do not disregard its importance to our own selves. A tree with static or shallow
roots would be in constant danger of collapse.

AS-SwOLAH,1 the 5 daily devotional prayers of a Muslim,
is likened by the Prophet s.a.w. as the pillar, the column or upright superstructure, of our
religion ("imad-du-al-Deen"). The likeness of it is as in the growth of a good tree, after the

1
Specific devotional prayers comprising standing, bowing and prostrations, with supplications to be performed
in ritual purity and modestly attired, according to the prescribed five times in the day (the obligatory), facing
the direction of the Ka’bah (Holy Sanctuary rebuilt by Abraham in Makkah).

Compare – Ref.
1 K viii 46-49 - “ ... and pray to thee toward their land which thou gavest to their fathers, the city which thou
has chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name”;

Psalm xxviii 2 – “Hear the voice of my supplication, as I cry to Thee for help, as I lift up my hands toward Thy
most Holy Sanctuary.”;

Acts iii 1 – “Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour..”;
Ephesians iii 14- “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on
earth is named...”



sprout, its growth would entail development of a solid and strong trunk. A tree would have
to be differentiated from creepers and weeds. A tree would easily stand out amongst shrubs
and bushes, and be in a class of its own. And the tree-trunk is that which links the roots to
the other parts of the tree - distributing all the beneficial nutrients. Similarly, faith without
outward performance of deeds is empty, outward performance without faith is mere rituals.
It is when both are dynamically combined that a person becomes true inward and outward,
his deeds strengthening his faith and his faith strengthening his deeds. Thus the Prophet
s.a.w. asserts that difference between a believer and non-believer can be discerned from
the performance or non-performance of "As-Swolah."

The tree as it grows; it requires producing its own food and nourishment. We learnt that the
green leaves (chlorophyll) react in sunlight to produce its food, through a process called
'photo-synthesis'. In this process, it significantly contributes in cleansing the atmosphere by
taking in the carbon dioxide, and releasing oxygen back. Its leaves, stems, branches provide
shades and helps to sustain the eco-system as it serves also food and nourishment for
others.

This is amazingly similar with a Muslim. After As-Swolah, the next pillar
to be fulfilled by Muslim is Az-Zakah2. This is the compulsory tax upon wealth of a Muslim
which is to be distributed to certain categories of poor and needy. In life we need to acquire
wealth to sustain our life, yet in doing so we are expected to contribute towards others.

2
Compare - Ref.
Genesis xiv 20 – “And Abram gave him a tenth of everything..”;

Hebrew vii 2 – “... and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything...”, and in verse 6 – “And the
descendent of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the
people, that is, from their brethren, though these also are descended from Abraham...” ;

Deuteronomy xiv 22 – “.. You shall tithe all the yield of your seed, which comes forth from the field year by
year...”;

Mathew xxiii 23 – “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and
have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith; these you ought to have done,
without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”;



Also the meaning of Zakah is both "to purify & make it grow." It purifies a Muslim from
greed, miserliness which material wealth and possession can affect our hearts, as well as
teaches us that there are always surplus given to us in our wealth, which are meant for
others. Unless and until we give to whom it is due, our wealth may not be regarded as pure,
and the concept of growth is not in the amount, but rather in how much it benefitted others
too. Indeed, a tree's submission to the natural law can be a powerful lesson in that - for us
to live, we must also contribute towards the welfare of those who need.

A good tree always protects itself from the extreme elements
present in its environment. It grows layer of bark on its trunks and branches to shield itself
from the effect of harsh weather, parasites and other harmful elements. Stripped of its bark,
it would be exposed to many parasites and be harmed. Thus without fail, each year a new
layer would be formed, and thus a tree's age can be known by measurement of its rings of
bark which it had. We shall see similarity when we consider the next pillar of Islam for
Muslim, which is the SAUM (Daily Fasting3 of Ramadhan). The purpose as commanded by
Allah s.w.t. is for Muslim to learn self-restrain and attain to true consciousness of God
(Taqwa), it is like a one month intense training or exercise of self-restraint, that it
strengthens a Muslims spiritual resolve to adhere only to Allah's command and totally
refrain from whatever He has forbidden. By the end of Ramadhan, Muslims would have
attained to greater height of self-discipline and restrain through being conscious of Allah
s.w.t. (Taqwa). Hopefully, after gaining it, it does not wane, but we are to maintain or
increase it until the next Ramadhan. To liken SAUM (fasting) as a shield is also very true. It is
only with our inward spiritual strength, based on Taqwa, that one can assure oneself of
immunity from outward harm, as it is our greatest shield in our journey in life. It is our
ability to say "No!" and capacity to resist every temptation that really matters, because in

3
Compare –
Ref. Esther iv 16 – “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat
nor drink for three days, night or day...”;

Mathew ix 14 – “Then the disciples of John came to him, saying: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your
disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is
with them? The days will come, when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast..”;
Similarly in Mark ii 18; Luke v 33;



life we cannot avoid coming into contact with them. Every year this shield is renewed, and
the true age of a Muslim can be determined by the number of Ramadhan he had gone
through.

Observe how a tree grows. Although
slow, almost undetected by man yet it patiently perseveres towards its destiny - cm. by cm.
upwards towards heaven, or towards light. When obstructed, it tries to overcome by
pushing, if unable then to seek other path without forgetting to persistently continue to
grow. It seem as though it possesses an in-built compass, and a determination to journey
towards a certain end, although it is seen by us as remaining static. Also, trees seldom grow
in solitude, but would be clustered together for strength and mutual dependency in jungle
or forests. Each tree even is seen as assisting one another to continue growing towards
heaven and sunlight. Likewise, for a Muslim, the commandment to undertake the pilgrimage
to Makkah or HAJJ4, for those who are capable, contains a powerful and practical lesson on
Jihaad (Striving with our utmost and sacrifice in Way of Allah). What Muslims can learn is
that life is a sure journey towards our Maker, and thus we must always prepare ourselves to
the Day of meeting with Him. It teaches us to patiently struggle, purify ourselves, persevere
and to always be ready to make sacrifices, to emulate the prophet and to compete in every
forms of righteousness, to battle evil and falsehood, to learn about steadfastness,
compassion and unity of brotherhood amongst believers, and many others. Even those
Muslim who are not able to, or yet to go, their faces are constantly made to turn towards
the Ka'bah in Makkah daily. Just like a tree, our inner compass always guides us towards
Heaven and the Light (Truth), for Muslims are certain that, "To God we belong and unto Him
we shall be made to return." This life is but a journey and although we are in this world, but
we are not of this world.

4
Original rites of pilgrimage to the Ka’bah instituted since the time of Patriarch Abraham (Ibrahim), known also
as Khalee-lullah (Friend of God), regarded as the rebuilder of the Ka’bah after its destruction by the great
Flood, the propagator of the original pure monotheism, which Prophet Muhammad came to restore - the rites
of Hajj being one of them, which also consist of re-enactments of past events at the various sites around
Makkah – Arafah, Mina and Muzdfalifah.



Another element that a good tree possesses is its quality of
"goodness." A tree may be big, with thick foliage etc. but it may be rotten and diseased. It is
when each and every elements (from roots, trunk, branches, leaves etc) grow well, that
whole tree can be regarded as good. This reminds me of the question posed to the Prophet
s.a.w. after he had explained both "Arkaan al-Islam" and "Arkaan al-iiman”:

"Tell me what ‘al-IHSAN’ is?" -To which the Prophet s.a.w, said "al-IHSAN (The Best conduct
or excellence) is that you worship (serve) Allah as though you see Him, if not then, certainly
He sees you." (Hadith reported by Muslim)

Here, our Prophet s.a.w. is emphasizing "Sincerity" as the crucial criteria in determining
quality or goodness in our deeds. To be sincere is, to be doing a good act purely because of
Allah s.w.t., as an offering to Him, seeking His Pleasure. After all, it is Allah, Whose
acceptance or rejection that really counts, not others. So any deeds, no matter how small, if
it were done sincerely for Allah would then be considered good. On the hand, great things
done not for Allah, but instead for some ulterior motives, trying to please others or out of
self-conceit does not qualify as Good by Allah.

THE FRUIT5

The final aspect of my reflection is, when Allah s.w.t. says: - "It brings
forth its fruit at all times, by the leave (permission) of its Lord!"

5
We are reminded of Jesus Christ son of Mary (peace and blessings be upon them both) who is reported to
have said: “By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes from the thorns, or figs from the
thistles? Every good tree will bear good fruit and every evil tree will bear evil fruit.... by their fruits ye shall
know them.” (Matthew 7: 16-20)
“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by
its fruit.” (Matthew 12: 33-34)



- SUB-HAA-NALLAAH! (Glorious and Most Exalted is Allah,)

A good tree exists to produce and perpetuate other good trees through regeneration from
its seeds within its fruits that it produces. If not, the fruit itself can be beneficial to everyone
as nourishment, or perhaps quenching thirst, or even as a cure etc. A good Muslim, growing
like a good tree, would be granted by Allah s.w.t. the opportunity to touch others such that
they too, receive the Guidance of Allah s.w.t. This is the promise of Allah; and those given
are indeed most fortunate. Hopefully we can be like the Muslim, described and praised by
Allah s.w.t.:

َ ‫ۡ ۡ َ ُ ً۬ ا َّ َ َ َّ ِ َ ِ َ َ ً۬ ا‬
‫َو َمن أَحسن قَ ۡول ِّممن دػَا ٓ إَِل ٱَّلل َوَعل صـٰ ِلحا َوقَال ِإه َِِّن ِمن ٱلۡ ُمس ِل ِمي‬
َ ۡ َ
‫َو َل ج َۡس خَوى ٱلۡحس نَ ُة َو َل ٱلسيِّئ َُۚة‬
َّ ََ ِ
‫ٱ ۡدف َ ۡع ِبٱل َّ ِِت ِِه أَحسن‬
ُ َۡ َ
‫ف َ ِإذا ٱَّلى بَيۡنَك َوبَيۡن َ ُه ۥ ػَدٲو ً۬ة لَ َأه َّ ُه ۥ َو َِل َحي‬
ً۬ ِ َ ٌّ َ َ َ ِ َّ َ
َ َ ِ َّ
‫َو َما يُلَقَّ ٰٮهَا ٓ إ َِّل ٱَّلين ص ََبُو ْا َو َما يُلَقَّ ٰٮهَا ٓ إ َِّل ُذو حظٍّ غَظي‬
ً۬ ِ َ

"Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and
says "I am of those who bow in Islam - (Muslims)"? Nor can Goodness and Evil be equal.
Repel with what is better: then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it
were thy friend and intimate! And no one will be granted such goodness except those who
exercise patience and self-restraint none but persons of the greatest good fortune."

(Qur'an: Surah Fussilat: 41: 33-35)

May Allah grant us the Taufiq (success) wal Hidaa-ya (Guidance)

WaAllaahu a'lam



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