heaven—that is, fear of Allah.” On this interpretation, the comparison is more accurate, clearer, and more fitting. For Allah, glorified be He, likens the tree of belief in His oneness within the heart to a good tree, firmly rooted, with branches towering into the sky, continually yielding its fruit.

If you reflect on this comparison, you will see how closely it corresponds to the tree of belief in Allah’s oneness, firmly rooted in the heart, whose branches of righteous deeds ascend to heaven. This tree continually bears righteous deeds according to how firmly it is rooted in the heart, how much the heart loves it, how sincerely it embraces it, how well it understands its reality, and how faithfully it fulfills its obligations and gives it its due care. When this declaration becomes firmly rooted in a person’s heart in its fullest, truest meaning, his heart takes on its qualities and, through it, the coloring of Allah—and no coloring is better. He then understands the reality of divinity, which his heart affirms for Allah, his tongue testifies to, and his limbs confirm. He denies this reality and all that it entails to everything besides Allah, and his heart agrees with his tongue in this negation and affirmation. His limbs obediently submit to the One whose oneness he affirms, humbly following the paths of his Lord, neither turning away from them nor seeking others in their place, just as his heart seeks no substitute for the One truly worthy of his worship. There is no doubt that this declaration, proceeding from such a heart upon such a tongue, continually bears its fruit of righteous deeds ascending to Allah. It is this good word that raises these righteous deeds to the Lord, Most High.

This good word produces many good words accompanied by righteous deeds, and the righteous deeds raise the good words, as Allah, Most High, says:

35:10 “To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it.”

Thus Allah, glorified be He, states that righteous deeds raise good words. He also states that the good word continually produces righteous deeds for the one who utters it.

The point is that when a believer bears witness to the declaration of Allah’s oneness, understanding its meaning and reality—what it negates and what it affirms—embodying what it requires, and upholding his testimony with his heart, tongue, and limbs, it is this good word that raises the deeds of the one bearing witness. Its root is firmly established in his heart, its branches reach into heaven, and it continually brings forth its fruit.