the plantings and crops reach their full growth and maturity, yielding fruit that is more abundant, sweeter, and more fragrant. But if he neglects this unwanted growth, it will soon overwhelm the plantings and crops and gain the upper hand, or weaken the original plants and leave their fruit poor and deficient, according to how much or how little of it there is.

Whoever lacks insight into this and knowledge of it misses out on immense gain without even realizing it.

The believer therefore constantly devotes his efforts to two things: watering this tree and clearing away what grows around it. Watering keeps it alive and enduring; clearing its surroundings brings it to full growth and perfection. Allah is the One whose help is sought, and upon Him we rely.

These are some of the subtle meanings and wisdom contained in this magnificent, sublime parable. Perhaps they are but a drop in an ocean, reflecting our halting minds, our erring hearts, our limited knowledge, and our deeds, which call for repentance and seeking forgiveness. Were our hearts purified, our minds clear, our souls refined, our deeds sincere, and our aspirations devoted solely to learning from Allah and His Messenger, we would perceive such meanings, secrets, and wisdom in Allah’s words that all other knowledge would pale beside them and human understanding would fade into insignificance.

Through this you can appreciate the extent of the Companions’ knowledge and understanding. The disparity between their knowledge and that of those who came after them is like the disparity between them in virtue. Allah knows best where to bestow His bounty, and He singles out whomever He wills for His mercy.

Section

Then Allah, glorified be He, mentions the parable of the evil word, likening it to an evil tree uprooted from the surface of the earth, with no firm footing. It has no firmly established root, no lofty branch, and no wholesome fruit. It has neither root nor harvest, neither an upright trunk nor a root firmly anchored in the earth. Its base is not well-watered, nor is its crown pleasing to behold. It bears no fruit and does not rise above others; rather, others rise above it.