from the roots of a tree and the foundations of a building. Hence, a foundation is defined as that upon which something else is built, or from which something else branches out.

The firm foundations are those of the prophets, as it has been said:

O you who set out in the morning seeking knowledge—
All a servant’s knowledge is subordinate to the Messenger’s knowledge.
You seek the branch to establish a ruling,
Yet neglect the very root of all foundations.

May Allah guide us and all our fellow believers to His straight path: the path of those whom Allah has blessed—the prophets, the steadfastly truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. What excellent companions they are!

What lies within the hearts is built upon these foundations and branches out from them. Allah has given parables of the good word within the believers’ hearts and the evil word within the disbelievers’ hearts. And (a word is a categorical proposition and a comprehensive belief. Our Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was granted words that open and conclude discourse, and concise expressions encompassing many meanings. He was thus sent with comprehensive knowledge, and knowledge of things first and last, in its most complete form.

The good word within the believers’ hearts—the belief founded upon faith and the oneness of Allah—is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches reach into the sky. Thus, the very foundation of faith is firmly established in the believer’s heart, just as the root of the good tree is firmly established, while its branches reach into the sky:

“To Him ascends good speech, and righteous deeds