"Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky?
It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded.
And the example of a bad word is like a bad tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, not having any stability.
Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills" Ibrahim 14:24-27
In verse 24 above, Allah describes a good word as a good tree. The good word here is interpreted as none other than the testimony of faith that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah (Laa ilaaha illa Allah). So the believer who holds on to the kalimah/shahadah (testimony) with all his heart, is like a good tree. But what's so special about this tree? First, its root is firmly fixed in the earth, not only providing stability to itself, but also to the ground upon which it stands, preventing erosion. Also, a tree whose root is deeply entrenched in the earth can withstand furious winds without being uprooted. It may suffer broken branches, but it will not be uprooted completely which will inevitably lead to its death. Thus is the true believer. The kalimah gives him the strength to anchor himself properly, achieving stability in his affairs and also providing support to those around him. And when minsfortune befalls, despite suffering many physical and emotional wounds, his faith keeps him strong, allowing him to regain his strength after the storm has passed.
What else about this tree? Its branches tower into the sky. Masya Allah. Not just tall, but they are so tall, they reach the heavens. Such a tree cannot be hidden from sight! It will be seen from miles away and it will provide shade to a large area. And so, when one has the Kalimah emblazoned in his heart, he cannot hide that faith even if he tries to. It will surely manifest in his actions. He will strive to perfect his actions to attain ihsan as prescribed by Allah and His messnger. And his perfecting his actions will be beneficial not only to himself but also to all those who deal with him. He fulfills the obligatory duties like prayer and fasting, stays away from what Allah has made prohibited, is honest in trade, he is trustworthy in his promise, he is punctual with his appointments, he is helpful to those around him etc. Thus this verse proves that there is no faith without good works. Sometimes we hear people say, "Nevermind akhi, even if i'm not practicing, i have faith here (pointing to the heart). That's what matters most." Well, Allah clearly disagrees with such a mentality. If we truly had conviction in the Kalimah, then it certainly should be manifested in out actions.
The third greatness of this tree, is that it brings forth all kinds of fruit all the time (not seasonally) with the permission of its Lord. The different fruits here symbolize the different benefits of having faith and there are many which are mentioned in the Quran: A good life in this world in the next, peace of mind and heart, bountiful provision, good children, ease of affairs, a swift reckoning on the Day of Judgment, admission into Jannah, and ultimately being able to see the majestic and most glorious face of our Lord and Master, Allah Jalla wa 'ala.
Thus does Allah give us examples so we may ponder upon His verses and take remembrance.
And Allah explains swiftly in one verse, the parable of an evil word (all other ideologies besides the shahadah) likening it to an evil tree which is uprooted from the surface of the earth, having no stability whatsoever. No stability/anchorage can be found in ideologies which are man made, not divinely inspired, for how can the guidance of the Creator for His creation be the same as the guidance they manufacture for themselves??
Allah ends this passage with a final verse stating how He strengthens the believers with a firm word (the Kalimah) in this world and the next, and he leads astray those who are zaalim (oppressors, polytheists) turning their lives upside down for Allah does as He pleases.
May Allah strengthen us with the Kalimah, adorning it in our hearts, so we may gain the benefits thereof, just like the good tree, and may He protect us from going astray lest our lives end up in disarray just like the uprooted and corrupted tree.
P/S: Shaykh Yasir Qadhi gives a very excellent and detailed tafseer of these few verses which can be veiwed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO8HCd23Tz4
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