It has been said that the fruits mentioned in the verses of al-Kahf and al-Baqarah refer to benefits and wealth. The context, however, indicates that they are ordinary fruits, nothing else. In al-Baqarah, Allah says:

“In it he has every kind of fruit.”

Then He, exalted is He, says of the garden:

“A whirlwind containing fire struck it, and it was burned.”

And in al-Kahf:

“His fruit was destroyed, and he began wringing his hands over what he had spent on it, as it lay collapsed upon its trellises.”

This can only refer to the garden’s fruit. Then He, exalted is He, says:

“Old age has overtaken him.”

This points to his desperate need for his garden and his heart’s attachment to it in several respects.

First, he has grown too old to earn a living through work, trade, and the like.

Second, a person’s eagerness for possessions intensifies in old age.

Third, he has offspring, so he is eager for his garden to remain, because both he and his offspring need it.

Fourth, they are weak and thus dependent upon him; they cannot help him through their strength or efforts.

Fifth, he must provide for them because of their weakness and inability to provide for themselves.

This is the strongest possible attachment to this garden, given its great value in itself and the desperate need that he and his offspring have for it. Once you have pictured these circumstances and this need, imagine the calamity that would befall this man if his garden were struck by a whirlwind—a wind that swirls along the ground, then rises through the air like a column—containing fire, which swept through the garden, burned it, and reduced it to ashes. By Allah, al-Hasan spoke truly: “This is a parable that few people understand.” Hence Allah, glorified and exalted is He, drew attention to the greatness of this parable and urged hearts to reflect upon it, because of their profound need for it. He, exalted is He, says:

“Thus Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may reflect.”

If a person of understanding were to reflect on this parable and make it the focus of his heart, it would suffice him and bring him healing. Likewise, if a servant acts in obedience to Allah, then follows that obedience with sins against Allah that nullify and burn up those deeds, those sins would be