Good Word Like A Good Tree 97-2003

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/]
َّ َ‫أ‬
۬‫ة‬
ً َ ‫ة۬ طَي ِّب‬ َ ِ ‫مث َ ً۬لكَل‬
ً ‫م‬ َ ‫ه‬
ُ ‫لل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ب‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ض‬
َ ‫ف‬
َ ۡ
‫ي‬ َ ‫ك‬ ‫ر‬ َ َ ‫ت‬ ۡ
‫م‬ َ ‫ل‬
ٍ‫ج ٍَ۬رةطَي ِّبَة‬ َ ‫ش‬ َ َ‫ك‬
‫ما ٓ ِء‬ َ
‫س‬ ‫ل‬ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ف‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ُ ‫ع‬ ۡ
‫ر‬ َ ‫ف‬ ‫و‬ ۬ ‫ت‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ث‬ ‫ا‬ ‫ه‬ ُ ‫صل‬ۡ َ‫أ‬
َ ّ ِ َ َ ٌ ِ َ
ۗ‌‫ن َرب ِّهَا‬ ُ
ِ ‫ن بِإ ِ ۡذ‬ ۭ ِ ‫حي‬ ِ ‫ل‬ َّ ُ ‫ؤت ِى أ ڪُُُُلَها ك‬ ۡ ُ‫ت‬
َ ‫ضرب ٱلل َّه ٱ ۡلأ‬ َ ٓ
‫س‬
ِ ‫ا‬َّ ‫ل لِلن‬ َ ‫ا‬َ ‫مث‬ۡ ُ ُ ِ ۡ َ ‫وَي‬
َ
َ ‫ڪَُُُُرو‬
‫ن‬ ّ َ ‫لَعَل ّهُمۡ يَتَذ‬
"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
All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 1

For permission to reprint – zhulkeflee@gmail.com
http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/
Addendum to notes: “MODULE ON ISLAM FOR CATHOLIC SEMINARIAN” - ST. FRANCIS XAVIER MAJOR SEMINARY (SINGAPORE) 2008
"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 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
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...”

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. 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.
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!”;

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 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.
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;

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
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)

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!"
- 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.:
َ َ ‫ومنۡ أ‬
َ ‫م‬
‫ل‬ ِ َ‫من دَعَا ٓ إِلَى ٱلل ّهِ وَع‬ َّ ‫م‬ ِّ ‫و ً۬ل‬ ۡ َ‫ن ق‬ ُ َ ‫س‬ ۡ
‫ح‬ َ َ
‫ن‬
َ ‫مي‬ ِ ِ ‫مسۡل‬ ُ ۡ‫ن ٱل‬ َ ‫م‬ِ ‫ل إِنَّنِى‬ َ ‫حا َوقَا‬ ۬ ً ِ ‫صُٰل‬
َ
ۚ‌ُ َ ‫سيِّئ‬
‫ة‬ َّ ‫ة وََل ٱل‬ ُ َ ‫سن‬ َ ‫ح‬ َ ۡ‫ستَوِى ٱل‬ ۡ َ ‫وََل ت‬
ۡ َ ‫ع بٱلَُّتِى هى أ‬
‫ن‬ُ َ‫س‬ ‫ح‬ َ ِ ِ ۡ َ‫ٱ ۡدف‬
َ ‫وُةكَأ‬ َّ
۬‫م‬ ‫مي‬ ‫ح‬ ‫ى‬ٌ ‫ل‬ ‫و‬
ٌ ِ َ ّ ِ َ ُ ّ ٌَ ‫ۥ‬ ‫ه‬ َ ‫ن‬ ۬ ‫ٲ‬
‫د‬َ َ ‫ع‬ ‫ۥ‬ ‫ه‬ ۡ
‫ين‬
ُ َ ََ ‫ب‬ ‫و‬ َ
‫ك‬ َ َ ِ ‫فَإِذ َا ٱل‬
ۡ
‫ين‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ى‬ ‫ذ‬
َ َّ َّ ٓ َ َ
ٰ َّ َ ‫ما يُل‬
‫قٮهَا ٓ إ ِ ّل ذ ُو‬ َ َ ‫و‬ ْ ‫روا‬ َ ‫صب‬
ُ َ َ ‫ن‬ ‫ي‬ ِ ‫ذ‬ ‫قٮٰهَا إ ِل ٱل‬ ّ ‫ما يُل‬ َ َ‫و‬
‫يم‬ ٍ۬ ِ ‫ظ عَظ‬ ٍّ ‫ح‬ َ

"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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------



Good Word Like A Good Tree 97-2003

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Originalbeschreibung:

Originaltitel

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Good Word Like A Good Tree 97-2003

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

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”

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 1

"Sub-HaanAllaah" (Glory be to Allah) When I reflect that the main

Consider the SHAHADATAIN (declaration as a witness to the 2

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 2

to fulfil the subsequent practices in submission to the Will of our Creator

AQIDAH (the Islamic creed) enumerated by the Prophet s.a.w. as

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 3

AS-SwOLAH,1 the 5 daily devotional prayers

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 4

This is amazingly similar with a Muslim. After As-Swolah,

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 5

A good tree always protects itself from the extreme

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 6

Observe how a tree grows.

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 7

Another element that a good tree possesses is its

Here, our Prophet s.a.w. is emphasizing "Sincerity" as the crucial criteria in

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 8

The final aspect of my reflection is, when Allah s.w.t. says:

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

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 9

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

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

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 10

All rights reserved©Zhulkeflee2008 Page 11

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen