Surah Ibrahim Ayat 24 in Arabic Text
English Translation
Here you can read various translations of verse 24
Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens,- of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.
Do you not see how Allah has given the example of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky,
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).
Seest thou not how Allah coineth a similitude: A goodly saying, as a goodly tree, its root set firm, its branches reaching into heaven,
Have you not seen how Allah has struck a similitude? A good word is as a good tree: its root is firm and its branch is in the heaven.
[Prophet], do you not see how God makes comparisons? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches are high in the sky,
کیا آپ نے نہیں دیکھا کہ اللہ تعالیٰ نے پاکیزه بات کی مثال کس طرح بیان فرمائی، مثل ایک پاکیزه درخت کے جس کی جڑ مضبوط ہے اور جس کی ٹہنیاں آسمان میں ہیں
Quran 14 Verse 24 Explanation
For those looking for commentary to help with the understanding of Surah Ibrahim ayat 24, we’ve provided two Tafseer works below. The first is the tafseer of Abul Ala Maududi, the second is of Ibn Kathir.
Ala-Maududi
(14:24) Do you not see how Allah has given the example of a good word?[34] It is like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and whose branches reach the sky,[35]
34. Though the expression literally means pure word, here it stands for truthful saying and righteous creed. According to the Quran, this saying and creed are the acceptance of the doctrine of Tauhid, belief in Prophethood and revelation, and in the life of the Hereafter, for it declares these things to be the fundamental truths.
35. This is to show the strength and extent of the pure word. As the entire system of the universe hangs upon the reality contained in this pure word which the believer professes, the earth and its entire system cooperates with him and the heaven with its entire system welcomes him. There is, therefore, no conflict between him and the law of nature, and everything in its very nature extends its help to him.
Ibn-Kathir
24. 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. 25. 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. 26. And the parable of an evil word is that of an evil tree uprooted from the surface of earth, having no stability.
`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that `Abdullah bin `Abbas commented that Allah’s statement,
(a parable: a goodly word), refers to testifying to La ilaha illallah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) while,
(as a goodly tree), refers to the believer, and that,
(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,
(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,
(as a goodly tree), is a tree in Paradise. Allah said next,
(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,
(by the leave of its Lord, ) thus earning perfection and becoming beneficial, plentiful, pure and blessed,
(and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.) Allah said next,
(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,
(uprooted), meaning, was cutoff from the root,
(from the surface of earth, having no stability.) therefore, existing without basis or stabililty, 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.
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