أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ 24
Translations
Have you not considered how Allāh presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
Transliteration
Alam tara kayfa daraba Allahu mathalan kalimatan tayyibatan kashajratin tayyibatin asluha thabit wa far'uha fi al-sama'
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a parable comparing a good word (kalimah tayyibah - the Islamic testimony of faith or virtuous speech) to a good tree with firm roots and branches reaching toward heaven. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir interpret the roots as representing a strong foundation in the heart and knowledge, while the branches symbolize its visible fruits and benefits that extend upward. Al-Qurtubi notes this parable illustrates how faith, when properly rooted in the heart, naturally produces good deeds and spiritual elevation.
Revelation Context
Surah Ibrahim, revealed in Mecca during the early Meccan period, focuses on themes of monotheism, rejection of polytheism, and the consequences of accepting or rejecting divine guidance. This ayah follows the preceding ayah (14:23) about the garden of Eden and serves to illustrate the spiritual transformation that occurs through accepting the divine message, emphasizing the permanence and fruitfulness of faith.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The example of a good word is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches reach to the sky' (Sahih Bukhari 4697). Also relevant is the hadith about the 'Kalimah Tayyibah' (good word) in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet ﷺ describes La ilaha illallah as a firm word that brings salvation.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as a tree requires firm roots to bear lasting fruit, genuine faith must be deeply rooted in the heart and mind to produce visible righteous actions that benefit oneself and others. Believers should cultivate strong foundational knowledge of Islam while continuously striving to elevate their spiritual practice toward the heavens.
Related Ayahs
قَالَتْ لَهُمْ رُسُلُهُمْ إِن نَّحْنُ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَمُنُّ عَلَىٰ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ لَنَآ أَن نَّأْتِيَكُم بِسُلْطَـٰنٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
Their messengers said to them, "We are only men like you, but Allāh confers favor upon whom He wills of His servants. It has never been for us to bring you evidence except by permission of Allāh. And upon Allāh let the believers rely.
الٓر ۚ كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ لِتُخْرِجَ ٱلنَّاسَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَمِيدِ
Alif, Lām, Rā. [This is] a Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], that you might bring mankind out of darknesses into the light by permission of their Lord - to the path of the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy -
مُهْطِعِينَ مُقْنِعِى رُءُوسِهِمْ لَا يَرْتَدُّ إِلَيْهِمْ طَرْفُهُمْ ۖ وَأَفْـِٔدَتُهُمْ هَوَآءٌ
Racing ahead, their heads raised up, their glance does not come back to them, and their hearts are void.
وَجَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا لِّيُضِلُّوا۟ عَن سَبِيلِهِۦ ۗ قُلْ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ فَإِنَّ مَصِيرَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلنَّارِ
And they have attributed to Allāh equals to mislead [people] from His way. Say, "Enjoy yourselves, for indeed, your destination is the Fire."