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ʾa-lam tara kayfa ḍaraba llāhu mathalan kalimatan ṭayyibatan ka-shajaratin ṭayyibatin ʾaṣluhā thābitun wa-farʿuhā fī s-samāʾi
Have you not regarded how Allah has drawn a parable? A good word is like a good tree: its roots are steady and its branches are in the sky.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah ‘Ibrahim – Verse 24
24. “Have you not seen how Allah sets forth a parable? A good word is like a good tree, the roots of which are fixed and its branches are in heaven,”
A good tree and a tidy noble one has got several ensuing outcomes like: growing, bearing fruits abundantly, casting shadows and sustaining itself, and bearing fruits under all kinds of circumstances. A monotheistic person is never stagnant and the signs of his faith constantly reveal themselves in his speech and his acts. His faith is continuous and not seasonal, and he always calls others to the faith, persuading them to act according what is allowed.
The verse says:
“Have you not seen how Allah sets forth a parable? A good word is like a good tree…”
In some Islamic quotations and in the commentaries of the Qur’an, several things as the examples of the Qur’anic term /tayyibah/ are referred to. Monotheism, faith, correct and sound ideas, heavenly leaders and their companions are among them. Of course, monotheism is a constantly- fixed principle which is inherently embedded in human nature.
“…the roots of which are fixed…”
It affects all the deeds and words as well as the thinking of man. One can enjoy the fruits of faith at any time, anywhere, and in all of one’s ups and downs. The verse says:
“…and its branches are in heaven,”
The tree of monotheism has got fixed roots. No threats, or conspiracies, no instigators and blame as well as the despots can uproot or eradicate it. If we find that in quotations this tree has been rendered to the Prophet (S) and his Ahl-ul-Bayt (as), it is because of this very reason that the religion of Muhammad (S) and the path of his household widens ever more as against the background of all those enemies, and it will globalize one day.
Some Traditions
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Mul a ‘Abd-ur-Rahman-ibn-‘Ūf has been quoted as saying: take from me the correct traditions of the Prophet (S) before they are distorted and mixed with lies. I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) who said:
‘I am the tree (of prophecy) (Tūb a) and Fatimah is its trunk, Ali is its seed, Hassan and Hussayn are its fruits. The Shi‘ites of us (our followers) are its leaves. The grass root of this tree is in the Garden of Eden, and the rest of it is in other Gardens (of Paradise).’ 11
The Prophet (S) said:
“People are from different (roots of) a tree, and Ali and I are from (the roots of) a single tree.” 12
The blissful Prophet (S) remarked:
“My Ahl-ul-Bayt and I are a tree in Paradise, the branches of which are in the world and whoever attached to us (took the tree by the branch), has taken a way unto his Lord.” 13
Footnotes