Be Like the
Fruit-Bearing Tree

A believer is like a fruit-bearing tree. Whatever he finds in this world, he returns in a better form. This shows human perfection.

It is recorded in a tradition that the Prophet of Islam once observed: “There is one of the trees which may be compared to a believer.” Then he said, “This is the date tree or date palm.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 72)

What is the significance of the date tree and other such fruit-bearing trees? It is that these trees take their sustenance from the earth, the air and the sun. In this way by using all the resources around it, a tree replete with fruit stands on the earth like a force of nature. It takes all the elements nature offers and then converts them into that more precious and more beneficial thing called a fruit. Then this fruit is not meant just for them but is rather meant for others to eat as food and derive energy from.

The case of a believer is identical. The society in which a believer lives has many things to offer him. With this provender his mental and physical personality keeps developing until he becomes a complete human being.

But it is not lawful for a believer to keep on taking without being ready to give. In this matter, a believer does exactly as a date tree or any other fruit-bearing tree does. It accepts that others must have a share in its fruits and lives in such a manner that its existence is beneficial not only for itself but also for others. Whatever it has received from the world it does not keep for itself, but rather regards it to be the common asset of the whole humanity.

When whatever a person finds in this world, he returns in a better form, that shows human perfection.