اللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أُنزِلُ بِكَ حَاجَتِي، وإن قَصُرَ رَأْيي وضَعُفَ عَمَلِي افْتَقَرْتُ إلى رَحْمَتِكَ فأسْأَلْكَ يا قَاضِيَ الأمُورِ ويَا شَافيَ الصُّدُورِ كَمَا تُجِيرُ بَيْنَ البُحُورِ أن تُجِيرَنِي مِن عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ ومِن دَعْوَةِ الثُّبورِ ومِن فِتْنَةِ القُبُورِ

Nakhl ~ Date Palm Tree

نَخْلٌ‏: مذكور في القرآن في غير موضع، وفى ‏(‏الصحيحين‏)‏‏:‏ عن ابن عمر رضى الله عنهما، قال‏:‏ بيْنَا نحن عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذ أُتِىَ بجُمَّارِ نخلة، فقال النبىُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏(‏إنَّ مِن الشَّجَرِ شَجَرةً مَثَلُها مَثَلُ الرَّجُلِ المسلِمِ لا يَسقُطُ وَرَقُها، أخْبِرُونى ما هي ‏؟‏ فوقع الناسُ في شجر البوادى، فوقع في نفسى أنها النخلة، فأردتُ أن أقول‏:‏ هي النخلة، ثم نظرتُ فإذا أنا أصغرُ القوم سِنّاً، فسكتُّ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏(‏هي النَّخْلَةُ‏)‏، فذكرتُ ذلك لعمرَ، فقال‏:‏ لأَنْ تكونَ قُلْتَهَا أحبُّ إلىَّ من كذا وكذا‏.‏ ففى هذا الحديث إلقاءُ العالِمُ المسائلَ على أصحابه، وتمرينُهم، واختبارُ ما عندهم‏.‏ وفيه ضربُ الأمثال والتشبيه‏.‏

وفيه ما كان عليه الصحابةُ من الحياء من أكابرهم وإجلالهم وإمساكهم عن الكلام بين أيديهم‏.‏ وفيه فرحُ الرجل بإصابة ولده، وتوفيقه للصواب وفيه أنه لا يُكره للولد أن يُجيبَ بما يَعْرِفُ بحضرة أبيه، وإن لم يَعرفه الأبُ، وليس في ذلك إساءةُ أدب عليه‏.‏وفيه ما تضمنه تشبيهُ المسلم بالنخلة من كثرة خيرها، ودوامِ ظلها، وطيبِ ثمرها، ووجودِهِ على الدوام‏.‏

Ibn al-Qayyim wrote : Date Palm: Mentioned in various places in the Qur'an, the date palm (Nakhlah) is praised in multiple contexts. In an authentic narration found in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, Ibn Umar Radi Allaho Anh reported: "While we were with the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, a fresh date palm stem was brought to him. Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘There is a tree among trees that resembles the Muslim. Its leaves do not fall. Tell me, what is it?’ The people started thinking of the trees in the desert. It occurred to me that it was the date palm, but I held back because I was the youngest among them. Then the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘It is the date palm.’ I later told my father, Umar, and he said, ‘To have said it would have been dearer to me than such-and-such.’”

This Hadith illustrates the Prophet's method of teaching by posing questions, testing knowledge, and providing comparisons. The hadith also shows the manners of the Companions, including their respect for elders, shyness in speaking out of turn, and the happiness a parent feels when their child demonstrates wisdom. The comparison of the Muslim to the date palm highlights the numerous benefits it provides: abundant good, lasting shade, wholesome fruit, and its year-round availability.

Its fruit can be eaten in different forms: fresh, dried, unripe, and fully ripened. It serves as food, medicine, sustenance, dessert, drink, and fruit. The trunks are used for building, tools, and containers. From the fronds, items like mats, baskets, utensils, and fans are crafted, and its fibers are made into ropes, cushions, and other products. Finally, the seeds are used as camel fodder and have applications in medicines and Kohl.

The beauty of the date palm's fruit, growth, form, and arrangement gives a pleasing sight. Its appearance brings joy to the soul, reminding one of its Creator, the brilliance of His design, perfection of His power, and fullness of His wisdom. There is no creation more closely resembling the faithful believer: complete in goodness, bringing visible and hidden benefits to others.

It is the Nakhlah tree whose trunk yearned for Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم, when he left it (no longer used it as a podium / pulpit in Masjid-e-Nabawi). The trunk yearned for Prophet's closeness & for hearing his speech.

It is also the tree under which Maryam عليه السلام took refuge when she gave birth to 'Issa (Jesus) عليه السلام. A narration, although its chain of transmission has been questioned, states: "Honor your aunt, the date palm, for it was created from the same clay from which Adam was created."

People have differed regarding whether the date palm is superior to the grape-vine (Hablah) or vice versa, and there are two opinions on this matter. Allah has mentioned both trees in His Book in multiple instances, highlighting their closeness to each other in value. Each one has its particular place, environment, and soil where it thrives best, making it most beneficial.

A Muslim's example is given with a date palm tree.

Similarly, our Kalimah لا اله الله محمد رسول الله is also like a date palm tree, whose roots are firm & strong inside a Muslim's hearts, its branches are always pointing towards the sky (showing a connection with Allah), & it gives fruit in all seasons.

أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ ضَرَبَ اللّهُ مَثَلاً كَلِمَةً طَيِّبَةً كَشَجَرةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاء (14:24) تُؤْتِي أُكُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينٍ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهَا وَيَضْرِبُ اللّهُ الأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ (14:25)

“Have not you seen that how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word (Kalimah) like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens of its Lord. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the Order of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.” (14: 24, 25)

Ibn Al Qayyam wrote about date seeds that نواها علفٌ للإبل، ويدخل في الأدوية والأكحال، which means that the seeds are a fodder for camels & are used in medicines & as eyeliner (KOHL).

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