The tree similar to the believer

Abdullah bin `Umar, said, “We were sitting with Allah’s Messenger when he said, ‘I was informed of a tree that is similar to a Muslim man, it’s leaves do not fall onto the ground, and it does not... and it does not (the Prophet mentioned other good qualities of the tree), and it gives out its fruit at all times, by the Permission of its Lord.’”

Ibn `Umar said, “I felt in myself that he was speaking of the palm tree, but I saw that Abu Bakr and `Umar did not speak, so I did not want to speak. After nothing was said, Allah’s Messenger said, ‘It is the palm tree.’ When we stood to leave, I said to `Umar, ‘O my father! By Allah I felt and thought that he was speaking of the palm tree.’ He said to me, ‘What prevented you from speaking?’ I said to him, ‘I did not see any of you speaking and I disliked that I should be the one to speak or say anything.’ `Umar said, ‘If you were to say it, it would be more beloved to me than such-and-such (meaning he mentioned some things which were beloved to him.’” (Collected by al-Bukhari, 61, 62, 72, and 4698, and Muslim, 2811)

Similarities between the Believer and the Palm Tree:

Imam Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said in, Miftahu Dar as-Sa`adah, 2/116-121, “Ponder on this palm tree, which is one of Allah’s Signs, and you will be amazed at the signs and miracles contained therein. This certain tree has female and male trees among it, which makes it more similar to the humans – and believers as the Prophet said – than other trees. This is in a number of ways:

First: The palm tree is very established in the ground and is not like the type of tree that is “uprooted from the surface of earth having no stability.” [14:26]

Second: The great fruit that it produces which has a sweet taste and many benefits. This is similar to the believer, his speech is good, his actions are good, and he presents benefits to himself and others.

Third:its leaves are long lasting. The leaves of the palm tree never fall on the ground, neither in the summer nor in the winter. This is like the believer, he is always wearing the garments of righteousness, until His Lord decides to take his life.

Fourth: It is very easy to reap the fruits of the palm tree. Some of the fruits are low down and close to the ground, and no climbing is necessary to collect them, and some of them are high up, but it is easy to climb the tree, unlike many other tall trees. The palm tree almost has steps and as such is sort has its own ladder reaching to the top. This is similar to the believer in that the believer is easy going and is always close to whoever wants to take from him, not unpleasant or evil.

Fifth: The product of the palm tree is one of the most beneficial fruits of the world. When it is eaten fresh and soft, it is eaten as a fruit and is very sweet. When it is dry, it serves as provision for someone, as a protective substance, and as a fruit. It is also used to make vinegar, juice, sweets, and it used in medicine and as a drink.

Sixth: The palm tree is the sturdiest of trees, and it survives through heavy winds and tension. Other big trees would sometimes be bent during the wind, others would be uprooted, and others break. Also many trees cannot last without water, as the palm tree does. This is similar to the believer, he has patience in times of trial, and no wind can shake him.

Seventh: The palm tree only gives out beneficial produce, including its fruit. Also, its roots and leaves are used for roofs for homes instead of wood, they are used to repair leaks and holes in the roofs, and its dry leaves or branches can individually be used as buckets, baskets, cups, woven mats, and other uses. Also, its fibers have many benefits that are very well known.

Eighth: The longer a palm tree lives, the more it increases in benefit and the riper and good its fruits become. Likewise a believer, the longer he lives, the more he increases in good actions and benefit.

Ninth: The heart of the plant is among the purest and sweetest hearts among all plants. That is why it was specified from among all other trees. Likewise, the heart of the believer is from among the best of hearts.

Tenth: The palm tree’s benefit is never completely halted, but rather if some of its benefit is halted, then there remains benefit in other aspects. Even if it does not bear fruit for an entire year, it still benefits people through its leaves, wicker, and fibers. Likewise the believer, he is never completely void of benefit. Rather, if he is not beneficial from a certain standpoint, he is beneficial from another. So he is always guaranteed to benefit, and always guaranteed to not harm anyone, the Prophet said, “The best among you is one who people want to benefit from him, and are safe from his harm, and the worst among you is one who people do not want to benefit from, and are afraid of his harm.”-


(Collected by at-Tirmithi, 2263, and Ahmad, 2/378, and 368, with an authentic chain of narration)