12 Importance of Trees in Islam As the Source of Life

Trees is the symbol of life in general. It has become a world issue to preserve the nature, starting by planting trees. Even Islam is also sensitive to this matter, where keeping the environment healthy and clean is included in the obligation of human being. In the Quran as well Hadith, there are numerous mention of trees and garden in the Paradise colored in green. It’s enough to show the importance of trees in Islam.

Preserving the nature by planting tree is actually very beneficial for human being. As tree could provide living for animal, helps produce more oxygen, and protecting us from the sun ray.

Here are more of the importance of trees in Islam:

1. Planting Tress As Charity

Planting the tress bring many benefit not only for the planter but for other being. When trees give life to animal or grass under him, then whoever plant the tree will be rewarded.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him.” – Bukhari & Muslim

Also read: Importance of Green Color in Islam

2. Trees Should be Treated with Respect

Just like how we respect each other as human, we should pay respect for the trees by not causing harm to it. There were an old story about treating the trees, involving the Prophet (peace be upon him)

“I was throwing stones at a date-palm belonging to some of the Ansar. They tool me along with them to the Prophet (peace be upon him). He said: “O Rafi’! Why were you throwing stones at their date-palm?'” He said: “I said: ‘Out of hunger, O Messenger of Allah! He said: ‘Do not throw stones at them, eat what falls. May Allah fill you and quench your thirst.'”

3. Deep Connection with the Prophet

The narration below prove just how much the Prophet (peace be upon him) has a spiritual connection with trees.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to stand by a tree or a date-palm on Friday. Then an Ansari woman or man said. “O Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him)! Shall we make a pulpit for you?” He replied, “If you wish.” So they made a pulpit for him and when it was Friday, he proceeded towards the pulpit (for delivering the sermon). The datepalm cried like a child! The Prophet (peace be upon him) descended (the pulpit) and embraced it while it continued moaning like a child being quietened. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It was crying for (missing) what it used to hear of religious knowledge given near to it.” – Bukhari

Also read: Importance of Obedience in Islam

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4. Tree is Like the Believing Muslim

The Prophet (peace be upon him) has once said:

We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) and fresh dates of a palm tree were brought to him. On that he said, “Amongst the trees, there is a tree which resembles a Muslim.” I wanted to say that it was the date-palm tree but as I was the youngest of all (of them) I kept quiet. And then the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “It is the date-palm tree.”

5. A Tree to be Planted in Paradise

“Whoever says: ‘Glory is to Allah, the Magnificent, and with His Praise (Subhan Allahil-Azim, Wa Bihamdih)’ a date-palm tree is planted for him in Paradise.” – Tirmidhi

Also read: Importance of 27th Rajab in Islam

6. There is Cursed Tree

Allah said in the Holy Quran:

“And We granted the vision (Ascension to the Heaven “Miraj”) which We showed you (O Muhammad as an actual eye witness) but as a trial for mankind.” [Al-Isra (17:60))]

The event that the Prophet (peace be upon him) witnessed is the when the cursed tree of Az Zaqqum grows from the bottom of Hell. It was a bitter pungent tree and the Prophet saw it when he was embarked on the journey.

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7. Planting Tree is a Good Deed

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“If the Hour (the day of Resurrection) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before the Hour is established to plant it.” – Authenticated by Al Albani

Also read: Importance of Studying in Islam

8. Tree Provides Lives

Allah SWT blesses human and this world through the rain he sent down. The rain makes everything green and helps the trees grow. Tree therefore can provide life to other being like smaller plant, animal, and produce more oxygen to human being.

“And Allah has sent down rain from the sky and given life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed in that is a sign for a people who listen.” [An-Nahl (16:65)]

9. Whoever Plants Tree Will be Rewarded

Planting a tree is like unending good deeds as long as the tree is still alive. Everything benefited from the tree, the rewards go straight to the planter. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Whoever plants a tree is rewarded by Allah as much as the produce grown in that tree.” – Ahmad

Also read: Importance of Azan in Islam

10. Paradise for Those Who Plant Tree

Also when the tree makes it into the long years of life, the planter will be rewarded paradise. It was confirmed by the Prophet (peace be upon him)

“Whoever plants a tree and it matures, Allah plants a tree in paradise for that person.” – Ahmad

11. Tree As a Prove of Allah’s Existence

Allah proves His existence through many ways, including the living of the trees.

“Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, the moving creatures and many of the people?…” [Al-Hajj (22:18)]

12. Tree is the Source of Living

Tree can provide lives to other being such as animal who’s eating its leaf as well as human who breath the air it’s created.

It has made clear enough that importance of trees in Islam and in general is very big. Let’s not become a selfish human who cause harm to the nature for our own interest. May Allah SWT bless the Earth with prosperous nature as always.