Believers and Date Palms – What’s the Connection? (Hadith No. 1906)
Bismillah.
Ahadith 1902 – 1905 (below) are repeats. Read them where linked.
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 407:
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade Al-Muzabana, i.e. to sell ungathered dates of one’s garden for measured dried dates or fresh ungathered grapes for measured dried grapes; or standing crops for measured quantity of foodstuff. He forbade all such bargains.
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 408:
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “Whoever pollinates date palms and then sells them, the fruits will belong to him unless the buyer stipulates that the fruits should belong to him (and the seller agrees).”
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 409:
Narrated by Anas bin Malik (radiallaahu `anhu)
Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade Muhaqala, Mukhadara, Mulamasa, Munabadha and Muzabana.
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 410:
Narrated by Humaid
Anas (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) forbade the selling of dates till they were almost ripe.” We asked Anas, “What does ‘almost ripe’ mean?” He replied, “They get red and yellow. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) added, ‘If Allah destroyed the fruits present on the trees, what right would the seller have to take the money of his brother (somebody else)?’ “
Today’s Hadith:
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 411:
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
I was with the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) while he was eating spadix. He said, “From the trees there is a tree which resembles a faithful believer.” I wanted to say that it was the date palm, but I was the youngest among them (so I kept quiet). He added, “It is the date palm.”
Although this hadith is a repeat, and we’ve already covered two aspects of it before (links: one, two), I’d like to do it again. It talks about a parable that the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave to explain the personality and character of a believer.
The scholars stated:
The Muslim was likened to the date palm due to the abundance of its goodness, the continuity of its shade, the goodness of its fruit and its presence throughout the year. Indeed from the time its fruit emerges, it could continue to be eaten until it dries, and after it dries a lot of benefits are gained from it. Likewise from its leaves, wood and branches; they are used for staffs, fire wood, rods, straw mats, ropes and utensils amongst other uses. The last thing is the date stone which is used as fodder for camels. Furthermore, the beauty of its growth and the pleasant shape of its fruit, all of it is beneficial, is goodness and beauty.
Just as the believer is all goodness, from the abundance of his obedience and the nobility of his manners. He constantly prays, fasts, reads, remembers, gives in charity, enjoins the ties along with the rest of the forms of worship and other than this.
This is the correct angle of resemblance. It was also said that the angle of resemblance is that if the top of it is chopped off the rest of it dies in contrast to the rest of the types of trees. It was also that it is because it does not produce fruit until it is pollinated and Allaah knows best.
After reading this, I’d like you (yes you, lazy reader!) to think and derive some more traits of a believer comparing him to a date palm tree. You can just take a minute or two to think about it, and if you’re feeling generous, share your thoughts below. If not, well, happy not sharing!
Posted on March 23, 2014, in iLook and tagged believer, bukhari, character, date palm, example, hadith no 1902, hadith no 1903, hadith no 1904, hadith no 1905, hadith no 1906, Personality, sales, trade, tree. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
iLookiListen 
Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah,
JazakAllah khayran for urging me to reflect upon the ayaat of Allah Azza wa jal and His Messenger (SAWS).
Well right outside my window are a couple of palm trees subhanAllah!
One if the things that catches my attention if the shape of its leaves.
The leaves seem to be humbled by the winds, in fact not just by the winds, irrespective of sunshine, winds or rain, the leaves seem to bow down as in Ruku’!
subhanAllah, from this I draw the parable of deep reflection using our human capacities.
So regardless our situation or position, if we really are mature, we should realize that all our faculties and tawfeek come only from Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.
Also, another point of reflection is the height of these trees…somehow they seem to be above their peers…and more in communion with the purity of nature.
They remind me of believers of vision, who are constantly contemplating about the realities of life, its purpose and the need to rise up above the race for dunya-specific goals.
Plus, these kind of believers are always seeking communion with the Divine and so they engage in various acts of Ubudiyyah be it through Salah, Dhikr and simple quite moments of reflection and realization.
Even as i write this comment, I can see a mynah sitting on a branch of the tree;
just the way the tree was accepting of this bird and hot its leaves kind of bend just to accomodate it also makes me reflect.
It reiterate in my mind the realization that all the above mentioned goals and characteristics would be manifested through service to the creation of Allah Azza wa jal, on the lines of how His messenger (ASWS) served their people by calling them to Tawheed i.e. ultimate justice as well as upholding of justice and compassion (marhamah) in human interactions and even with fellow members of creation, subhanAllah!
So be it acts of warm generosity, loving compassion, kindness, or even the acts of applying the faculties and resources bestowed by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala upon us, towards changing the status quo in our respective communities (be it through counselling, social activism and justice, charity etc.), we must seek the permission and help of Allah Azza wa jal to either participate in avenues or establish such kinds of them that would enable us to uphold justice and serve humanity for pursuing His Good Pleasure, which is the True Success.
These were just a handful of reflections that I thought I should share.
And most certainly, Allah knows best.
Indeed all flaws are my own and from the shayateen.
And what Khayr can there ever be, except from The Rabb of all that exists?
SubhanAllahi wa behamdehi,
SubhanAllahil Azeem!
Walaikumussalam warahmatullah!
Jazakumullah khar for sharing your thoughts. I must say, that’s a very good observation and you’ve got some excellent points there.
May Allah increase you knowledge and Imaan and bring you closer to Him. :)