Al-Suddi said: It means that it brings forth alongside it another shoot.
His saying, “then strengthened it”: Ibn Amir recited it fa-azarahu, with a shortened vowel, while the others recited it with a lengthened vowel; that is, it strengthened and supported it, and reinforced it. “Then it grew thick”: that crop became thick. “Then it stood firm”: that is, its growth became complete, closely knit, and upright. “Upon its stalks”: that is, its bases. “Delighting the sowers”: that crop delighted its cultivators.
This is a parable which Allah, exalted is He, struck for the Companions of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, in the Gospel: [that they would initially be few, then increase and become numerous. Qatadah said: The likeness of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, in the Gospel] (1) is written as follows: a people will emerge, growing like a crop; they will enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong (2).
It was also said: “The crop” is Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and “its shoot” is his Companions and the believers.
It is related from Mubarak ibn Fadalah, from al-Hasan, that he said: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those with him” refers to Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him; “stern toward the disbelievers” refers to Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him; “merciful among themselves” refers to Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him; “you see them bowing and prostrating” refers to Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him; and “seeking bounty from Allah” refers to the remainder of the ten given glad tidings of Paradise.
It was also said: “Like a crop” refers to Muhammad; “that puts forth its shoot” refers to Abu Bakr; “then strengthened it” refers to Umar; “then it grew thick” refers to Uthman, through whom Islam grew strong; “then it stood firm upon its stalks” refers to Ali ibn Abi Talib, through whose sword Islam was established; and “delighting the sowers” refers to the believers.
“So that He may enrage the disbelievers through them”: this was reflected in Umar’s words to the people of Mecca after he embraced Islam: “After today, do not worship Allah in secret.”
Abu Hamid Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Shuja'i al-Sarakhsi dictated to us; Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Ahmad al-Qaffal informed us; Abu Ahmad Abdullah ibn Muhammad al-Fadl al-Samarqandi narrated to us; my shaykh, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn al-Fadl al-Balkhi, narrated to us; Abu Raja Qutaybah ibn Sa'id narrated to us; Abd al-Aziz ibn Muhammad al-Darawardi narrated to us, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Humayd, from his father, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Abu Bakr is in Paradise, Umar is in Paradise, Uthman is in Paradise, Ali is in Paradise, Talhah is in Paradise, al-Zubayr is in Paradise, and Abd al-Rahman