IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL
PARABLES FROM ALLAH IN THE QUR’AN SURAH 14 VERSES 24-27
INTRODUCTION
Allah Made many parables in the Qur’an in order for you and I to think and ponder over these verses. Parables are examples and analogies used in the Quran to help activate our imagination, the eye of the mind. They are usually told to illustrate a lesson and help us to understand and remember in a clear and easy way. Parables are used by Allah to give greater clarity and deeper meaning when explaining things to mankind. This method allows us to think, comprehend and ponder over the divine ayats (verses) in order to understand the message fully, and therefore increase our knowledge and embrace the truth wholeheartedly. Additionally, the parables really allow the reader to appreciate the absolute beauty and divine eloquence of the linguistics in the Qur’an. In many verses of the Qur’an, Allah always encourage us to “Reflect, use our vision” (Qur’an 59:2) and to “give thought to the creation of heaven and earth” (3:191). This encourages human intellectual, philosophical and spiritual reflection upon Allah and his creation.
This is an important feature of the Qur’an, where Allah is encouraging and persuading us to give thought, as these parables or similitudes contain important messages or lessons for all of us to learn and take into account. All of us have a free will to act according to our intellect and according to our heart. The Qur’an is a source of guidance for all of humanity and only through pondering over these verses with parables would be able to be guided inshaAllah and gain the full benefit of these verses.
“And indeed We have put forth for men, in this Qur’an every kind of similitude in order that they may remember.” 39: 27
EXAMPLES OF PARABLES ALLAH PLACED IN THE QUR’AN
“Verily, Allah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: “What did Allah intend by this parable?” By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Fasiqun (the rebellious, disobedient to Allah).”
“The likeness of those who take Auliya’ (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider, who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider’s house; if they but knew.
Verily, Allah knows what things they invoke instead of Him. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
And these similitudes We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs, etc.).”
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp is in glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of the west (i.e. nor it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun all day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah sets forth parables for mankind, and Allah is All-Knower of everything.”
“O mankind! A similitude has been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought.
They have not estimated Allah His Rightful Estimate; Verily, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.”
THE TOPIC FOR TODAY – PARABLES IN SURAH 14 VERSES 24-27
“See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).
Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.
And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth having no stability.
Allah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this world (i.e. they will keep on worshipping Allah Alone and none else), and in the Hereafter. And Allah will cause to go astray those who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), and Allah does what He wills.”
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that `Abdullah bin `Abbas commented that Allah’s statement,
﴿ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ ﴾
(a parable: a goodly word), refers to testifying to La ilaha illallah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) while,
﴿ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ ﴾
(as a goodly tree), refers to the believer, and that,
﴿ أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ ﴾
(whose root is firmly fixed), indicates that La ilaha illallah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) is firm in the believers’ heart,
﴿ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ ﴾
(and its branches (reach) to the sky.) with which the believer’s works are ascended to heaven. Similar is said by Ad-Dahhak, Sa’id bin Jubayr, `Ikrimah, Mujahid and several others. They stated that this parable describes the believer’s deeds, good statements and good actions. The believer is just like the beneficial date tree, always having good actions ascending at all times, by day and by night. Al-Bukhari recorded that `Abdullah bin `Umar said, “We were with the Messenger of Allah when he asked,
(Tell me about a tree that resembles the Muslim, the leaves of which do not fall in summer or winter and gives its fruit at all times by the leave of its Lord.)” Ibn `Umar said, “I thought of the date palm tree, but felt shy to answer when I saw that Abu Bakr and `Umar did not talk. When they did not give an answer, the Messenger of Allah said,
(It is the date palm tree.) When we departed, I said to `Umar, `My father, by Allah! I thought that it was the date tree.’ He said, `Why did you not speak then’ I said, `I saw you were silent and I felt shy to say anything.’ `Umar said, `Had you said it, it would have been more precious to me than such things (i.e., would have been very precious to me).”’ `Abdullah bin `Abbas said that,
﴿ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ ﴾
(as a goodly tree), is a tree in Paradise. Allah said next,
﴿ تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ ﴾
(Giving its fruit at all times,) It is said that it means by day and by night. And they say that describes the believer as a tree that always has fruits during summer and winter, by night and by day. This is the parable of the believer whose good works ascend to heaven by day and by night and at all times,
﴿ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَاۗ ﴾
(by the leave of its Lord, ) thus earning perfection and becoming beneficial, plentiful, pure and blessed,
﴿ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ ﴾
(and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.) Allah said next,
﴿ وَمَثَلُ كَلِمَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ خَبِيثَةٍ ﴾
(And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree) describing the disbelief of the disbeliever, for it has no basis or stability. It is similar to the colocynth tree (a very bitter, unscented plant) which is also called, `Ash-Shiryan’. Shu`bah narrated that Mu`awiyah bin Abi Qurrah narrated that Anas bin Malik said that it is the colocynth tree. Allah said,
﴿ ٱجۡتُثَّتۡ ﴾
(uprooted), meaning, was cutoff from the root,
﴿ مِن فَوۡقِ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مَا لَهَا مِن قَرَارٍ۬ ﴾
(from the surface of earth, having no stability.) therefore, existing without basis or stability, just like Kufr (disbelief), for it does not have a basis or roots. Surely, the works of the disbelievers will never ascend nor will any of them be accepted.
The true meaning of Laa ilaaha illa Allah
“So know (O Muhammad!) that ”Laa ilaaha illAllah” (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah), and ask forgiveness for your sin, and also for (the sin of) believing men and believing women.” (47:19)
Imaam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) said:
And its meaning is none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah; laa ilaaha (nothing has the right to be worshipped) is a negation of everything which is worshipped besides Allaah. Illallaah (except Allaah) affirms worship for Allaah Alone, and that none is given any share of worship along with Him, just as He has no sharer in His Sovereignty.
laa ilaaha: is a negation, it negates the right to worship from everything besides Allaah.
illAllaah: this is affirmation of worship for Allaah alone with no partner.
So laa ilaaha illAllaah includes negation and affirmation, and tawheed has to have negation and affirmation both. Affirmation alone will not suffice; and negation would not suffice on its own. There must be negation and affirmation, just as He the Most High said:
فَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ
So whoever rejects the false objects of worship, and truly believes in and worships Allaah [2:256]
وَاعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلَا تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا
And worship Allaah and do not associate anything in worship along with Him [4:36]
Excellence of Laa ilaaha illa Allah
Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim on the authority of al-Bara bin ‘Aazib –radiAllaah anhu- from the Prophet – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.
It is the good statement (kalimah Tayyibah) which was previously made a solid example as Allaah –Ta’ala- says: “Do you not see how Allaah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).” [Ibraheem 14: 24]
This is what was mentioned by ‘Alee bin Talha on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas. The foundation of this statement ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ is firmly fixed in a believer’s heart, its branches are righteous actions which ascend to the sky – to Allaah -Azza wa Jal.
This is what was mentioned by Dhihaak, Sa’eed bin Jubair, Ikrima’, Mujahid
and others. It is the goodness which Allaah –Azza wa Jal– mentions when He says: “Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof” [An’aam: 160] Allaah –Ta’ala– said: “Whoever brings a good deed (i.e. Belief in the Oneness of Allaah along with every deed of righteousness), will have better than its worth and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.” [Naml: 89]
On the authority of Abu Dharr who said: ‘I said: O Messenger of Allaah advise me.’ The Messenger sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam said: ‘If you do a bad deed then follow it up with a good one and it wipes it out.’ Abu Dharr continued: I said: ‘O Messenger of Allaah is ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ from the good deeds?’ He answered: ‘It is the best of righteous deeds.’ Narrated by Ahmad and al-Albani graded it Hasan in ‘Saheehah’ (1373).
On the authority of Ubadah bin Saamitt -radiAllaah anhu- who said: I heard the
Messenger of Allaah – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – saying: ‘Whoever testifies that there is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah then Allaah prohibits the Fire for him.’ (Muslim)
‘When death was approaching the Prophet of Allaah, Nooh –sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam – he said to his son: I will narrate to you my bequest; I command you withtwo things and prohibit you from two things. I command you with ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ (‘There is none worthy of worship in truth except Allaah), if theseven heavens and the seven earths were placed upon one scale and ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ was placed on the other, then ‘La ilaha ‘illa Allaah’ would beheavier.If the seven heavens and the seven earths were a closed circle then ‘La ilaha ‘illallaah’ would be able to break it.
Conditions of Laa ilaaha illa Allah
Knowledge which negates ignorance of it. It means to have knowledge of its meaning and what it intends in terms of what it negates and what it affirms.
“Know! that there is none worthy of worship except Allah.” (47: 19)
“Allah bears witness there is none worthy of worship except Him and the angels and those given knowledge, He is always maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity worthy of worship except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise” (3: 18)
Imam Muslim (43/26) reports in his Sahih; ‘Uthman said: “The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“Whoever dies while having knowledge there is none worthy of worship except Allah, he will enter Paradise.”
Certainty which negates doubt. It means the one who utters it should have complete certainty in the indications of these words. Iman does not benefit anyone except one who has knowledge -based certainty and not assumptions. Now imagine if doubt were to enter him.
“The believers are only those who have believed in Allah and His Messenger and then doubt not but strive with their properties and their lives in the cause of Allah It is those who are the truthful” (49: 15)
To not entertain any doubt has been made a condition by Allah in proving the truthfulness of one’s Iman. The one who does entertain doubts is from amongst the hypocrites – we seek refuge in Allah from being amongst them. Allah said about the hypocrites:
“It is only those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and whose hearts are in doubt that ask your permission [to stay at home]. So in their doubts they waver.” (9: 45)
Abu Hurayrah said: “The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah; no slave meets Allah with them both without having any doubt in them except that he will enter Paradise.” Reported by Muslim (44/27)
Sincerity is the opposite of polytheism (shirk), hypocrisy and all forms of showing off.
Sincerity is to purify one’s action with a righteous intention which is free from all association of partners with Allah. It means to not give any share of your intention to anyone other than Allah.
“So worship Allah (alone), being sincere to Him in religion.” (39: 2)
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, making the religion sincerely for Him (alone)” (98: 5)
Abu Hurayrah reported from the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said:
“The happiest person with my intercession on the Day of Judgement is the one who said La ilaha ill Allah, sincerely from his heart.” Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 99.
‘Itban b. Malik reports from the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said:
“Indeed Allah has prohibited the Fire for the one who says La ilaha ill Allah, seeking thereby the Face of Allah.”
Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 5401 and Muslim, between 657 and 658, no. 263.
The opposite of which is lying.
It means to utter this statement truthfully from one’s heart. If he said it with his tongue but was not truthful in his heart then he is a lying hypocrite.
“Alif Lam Mim. Do people think they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident the liars.” (29: 1-3)
“And of the people are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day”, but they are not believers. They think to deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive it not. In their hearts is a disease, so Allah has increased their disease; and for them is a painful punishment because they used to lie.” (2: 8-10)
Anas said: “The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“There is none who testifies there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, truthfully from his heart, except that Allah will prohibit the Fire for him.””
Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 128 and Muslim, no. 32.
It means to love this great and blessed statement and what it demands and indicates. By extension, it also means to love the people who act by it and adhere to its conditions and to hate whatever nullifies it.
“And among the people are those who take other than Allah as equals (to Him). They love them as they should love Allah. But those who believe are stronger in love for Allah.” (2: 165)
“O you who have believed, whoever amongst you reverts from his religion – Allah will bring forth (in place of them) people He will love and who will love Him…” (5: 54)
Anas b. Malik reported from the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam that he said:
“Whoever possesses three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: 1. Allah and His Messenger are dearer to him than anything else, 2. that he loves a person and he loves him only for the sake of Allah and 3. he hates to revert to disbelief just as he hates to be thrown into the fire.”
Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 16 and Muslim, no. 43.
al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported from the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam who said:
“Indeed the firmest grasp of Iman is that you love for the sake of Allah and hate for the sake of Allah.”
Reported by Ahmad, no. 18524 and graded hasan by al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, no. 3030.
Thus, the people of La ilaha illa Allah, love Allah with a sincere and exclusive love, whilst the people of polytheism (shirk), love Him and love others alongside Him with a similar level of love, or even greater love. This nullifies the meaning and demands of La ilaha ill Allah.
It means to submit to what it indicates. Thus it is the opposite of abandonment.
“And whoever submits his face to Allah while he is a doer of good – then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to Allah will be the outcome of [all] matters.” (31: 22)
The meaning of muhsin, is that he is a muwahhid; one who singles out Allah with all those things which are exclusive to Him and does not share them to anything other than him.
“And return in repentance to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.” (39: 54)
This means to accept with one’s heart and tongue all the things necessitated by this pure statement. The opposite is to reject it.
“Truly, when it is said to them: there is none worthy of worship except Allah, they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).” (37: 35)
Abu Musa al-Ash’ari said: “The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
“The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain-water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. And another portion of it was hard and held the rain-water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilised it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and to irrigate the land for cultivation. And a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits).
The first person is the example of the person who comprehends Allah’s religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge) which Allah the Exalted has revealed through me and learns and then teaches it to others.
The (last example is that of a) person who does not care for it and does not take Allah’s guidance revealed through me (he is like that barren land.)””
Reported by al-Bukhari, no. 79
Shaykh Muhammad al-Wasabi mentions an eighth condition which is to disbelieve in the tawaghit (pl. of taghut). The tawaghit refer to anything that is worshipped besides Allah.
Thus to disbelieve in tawaghit means to reject anything else as an object of worship and to have iman in Allah as the sole Lord, Creator and the only One worthy of worship in truth.
“The right course has become distinct from the wrong. So whoever disbelieves in taghut and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold with no break in it. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.” (2: 256)
Tariq b. Ashim reports from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that he said:
“Whoever says La ilaha ill Allah and disbelieves in what is worshipped other than Allah, He has made his wealth and blood sacred and his reckoning is with Allah.”
Reported by Muslim, no. 23 and Ahmad, 3:472.
In surah 14 verse 27
Allah Promised those who believe that they will stay firm with “Laa ilaaha illa Allah” and they will continue to worship Allah fulfilling all the conditions stated above, which eventually inshaAllah will have husnul khotimah (a good end). On the other hand, those who are “dholimun” (wrongdoers) will be led astray by Him. Allah Guides whomever He Wills.
CONCLUSION
All of us have a free will to do whatever we want in this world. However, all of us must understand that the purpose in this life is to worship Allah:
“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).” 51: 56
Allah has Promised us Guidance, especially through Adam (AS) when he and his wife were ordered out of Paradise:
“We said: “Get down all of you from this place (the Paradise), then whenever there comes to you Guidance from Me, and whoever follows My Guidance, there shall be no fear on them, nor shall they grieve.
But those who disbelieve and belie Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) such are the dwellers of the Fire, they shall abide therein forever.” (2: 38-39)
We have to seek for this Guidance constantly until our last breath. Those who do not actively seek His Guidance will be led astray and the consequences will be dire in the Hereafter.
May Allah Guide all at all times, Make us firm on our commitment to “Laa ilaaha illa Allah”,r and may He Forgive us for our shortcomings in this life.
