By: Samsul Nizar
Professor & Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Indeed, the whole nature is always talking all the time with humans. However, humans cannot understand it because the outer eyes and inner eye, as well as the outer ears and the inner ear of humans are often shackled, unable to communicate to hear all the messages of nature wisely. Among the creatures of nature that are speaking are the trees.
For rural communities, they are very familiar and often interact with various kinds of trees, whatever the variant of the trees, big or small, bearing fruit or only relying on lush leaves, and so on. All are ordinary phenomena. In contrast, urban communities (big cities) are sick of the presence of trees that offer beauty and coolness, moreover trees offering a variety of sweet, ripe fruit, beautiful colors, or fragrant aromas. Even though they have to spend money, time, and energy to visit an area that presents green trees, they will do it to enjoy the cool and beautiful atmosphere. Some people are also willing to spend much money to have a tree they like and love. However, all are limited to enjoying the beauty, the coolness, or the fruit produced by the trees. Meanwhile, they do not take lessons from trees to improve themselves. Whereas Allah has said about the privilege of trees (variants of plants), namely: “And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.” (Surah al-An’am: 99).
It is true that the truth of God’s words which explain many i’tibar (lessons) displayed through a tree (plants) for humans to think about. There are some lessons from trees as a reflection of life which can be seen from various aspects, including:
First, towering straight trees always become the first choice for cutting. In fact, only towering straight trees with towering ambitions are able to go through the clouds, reaching the stars in the sky. This is a picture of the choice of human life at the end of time. An honest human figure who has honesty, knowledge, having achievements, or obeying the rules is considered strange, suspicious, and needs to be cut. In fact, this figure is the owner of dreams and efforts to achieve the ideal human civilization with high dignity. Only towering straight trees are able to communicate with “sky civilization” and able to evaluate the quality of “earth civilization”.
However, straight trees become the main choice for cutting down, so the remaining crooked trees that thrive are left in the shade. Although they are unable to soar through the clouds, and their irregular branches sometimes pierce the eye, crooked trees are preferred, left, and immortalized by many people. This is ani’tibar for humans. A human being with honesty, idealism, treasure of innovative ideas, prioritizing quality as a reference, quality achievement as an indication, and holding on to a mandate like a tall tree rising to the sky often becomes the target to be paralyzed. This typical figure is not liked and is always suspected. His position cannot be negotiated against the law, even less invited to be a cheating player. Its presence is considered a dangerous threat. For that, this type needs to be “cut down”–in various ways–, if necessary to get to the roots.
Meanwhile, a liar, clever in tongues, good at licking and playing with words, good at making false scenarios, and good at acting like a tree that bends and branches, is the main choice that is liked, even nurtured to be fertile. The branches are considered to be a place to hang (achieve self-desire) and the thick leaves are used as a shelter from sun exposure. For this reason, bent or deliberately bent trees (bonsai) are always “guarded” and placed in a noble place. In fact, this type is very dangerous, avoided, and watched out for. This is in accordance with the words of the Prophet Muhammad: “Near the apocalypse will appear liars. So, be careful of them.” (SahihMuslim).
In another narration, the Prophet said: “Indeed, years of deceit will come to mankind. Liars are believed, while honest people are considered liars. Traitors are given mandates, while those who are trustworthy are accused of treason. At that time, the Ruwaibidhah began to speak.” Then, the companions asked the Messenger of Allah: “Who is Ruwaibidhah?‘ He replied, “Idiots who talk about the affairs of many people (ummah)” (Musnad Ahmad).
Bent trees will be left alone, cared for, and not cut down. Even more and more crooked trees are fertilized to make them shadier and keep their crooks awake. If necessary, some branches are deliberately bent to make it look good. These trees will be immortalized for decoration and are willing to be bought at high prices with considerations of uniqueness, beauty, and some of them are used as the lungs of the city. How lucky the crooked trees are and how misery the straight trees are! This is a picture of human life. When he becomes a straight and trustworthy figure, he will be isolated and defeated by a deceitful figure that appears as a protector, yet in reality he is like a blood-sucking “vampire” in a classic film. It is not just a blood sucker, but it turns the sucked prey into a new “vampire” that wanders around to grow and breed.
Second, you may be a straight tree, but don’t forget to have branches and twigs (even if a few). The straightness of the tree shows sincerity, dreams that go through the clouds, and the sturdy roots are the form of self-confidence as “earthly creatures”. Meanwhile, the branches and twigs symbolize guard over the uprightness of oneself against the threatening dangers. Branches and twigs of tall trees are very useful when interacting with fellow creatures. Being too kind to everyone can be dangerous. On the other hand, doing too much injustice will bring misery to others. In fact, injustice often results in the appearance of a one-self phobia, so that all humans are considered the same as his own nature. As a result, there are judgments that will lead to disharmonious interactions. It’s like a greedy dog who didn’t want to share with others while looking in the mirror at the “thousand cracked glass” which had the effect of causing many reflections. He thought that his images in the mirror were other dogs. He saw the other dogs all biting bones. He was worried that the dogs were a threat to snatch the bone he was biting. At the same time, his greed arose. He wanted to get all the bones in the mouths of the dogs (his reflections) for him. Then, he attacked his reflection fiercely and ferociously. As a result, the glass shattered and he was seriously injured by the shards of glass that pierces his entire body. It is the imagery written in the old fiction book which is difficult to find as a bedtime reading today.
An i’tibar improves oneself to minimize gluttony and judge others. For that, humans must wisely choose whom to do good and to whom to reject in a good way. See the words of Allah: “If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to them [i.e., yourselves].” (Surah al-Isra ‘: 7).
Imam ar-Razi in his commentary book MafatihaulGhaib interprets the above verse that humans who do good will open the doors of blessing by Allah. On the other hand, if a person commits a crime, Allah will open the doors of other evils. All will be harvested in the hereafter.
Third, good or bad depends on the seeds, soil, fertilizers, and the environment of the plants being planted. Good or evil is like a tree, depending on the type and quality of the tree planted. Each plant will bear fruit according to the quality of the seeds planted, the soil, and the climate that affects the plant, so are humans. Bibit (family background), bebet (economic level), and bobot(self-quality) are required. However, the environment in which social interaction occurs also needs to be considered. When you are not able to bring goodness and influence goodness to others, then at least you are not affected by an environment that is contrary to religion.
Fourth, each fruit even on the same plant produces different fruit qualities. Coconut tree can be the analogy. On the same tree and bunches, there can be different fruit production. Some are all good, some are rotten and fall prematurely, and some contain nothing, even though they still wear the attribute of coconut as coconut fruit. It also happens on human. Goodness in theory comes from good families. However, a good family does not necessarily produce the same good offspring. Everything depends on the self and God’s decree. Ali bin AbiThalib RA said: “Indeed the young man is the one who dares to say this is me, and not the young man who says this is my father“.
Fifth, a tree gives a million benefits, both when it is alive and when it dies, leaving no leaves. When a tree is still alive, it offers–to creatures–a shelter from the scorching sun or torrential rain drenching the earth. Its roots plunged into the ground so as not to be shaken by the wind. In fact, through its roots, it sucks water to prevent flooding. It provides oxygen to sustain the life of other creatures. Every branch is a place for the birds to sing happily. Its fruit is beneficial for all. Even when he dies, a tree still gives happiness to humans. The trunk is used as various furniture and house components for humans to reside. It perpetuates its twigs for cooking fuel for human needs. Such is the blessing that a tree gives to humans and other creatures. It is a shame to look at a tree (especially a straight tree). Its growth can provide a million benefits, while often the present of humans is only able to spread harm or sadness to others and the universe.
Although straight trees are often cut down, only straight trees have the opportunity to grow tall and can touch “God’s sky “. Only straight trees are able to interact with the “sky community (top-level beings)”, without forgetting that the grass roots originally grew with a million benefits on the earth. Meanwhile, even though the crooked trees seem to be allowed to grow everywhere, they are never able to touch the clouds, even less “God’s sky”. Their friends are only wild grasses that are ready to be eaten and stepped on by herbivores. However, their existence is always revered and preserved. If so, is it possible that the purpose of the caliphate entrusted by Allah can be realized? I don’t know, it is difficult to answer since there is a screen of God’s scenario that has not been able to be revealed. Let Allah determine and reveal the secret purpose behind all phenomena. When Allah has revealed it, no power can cover it.Indeed, humans are not pure, feeling the most holy is a nasty trait that needs to be avoided. Moreover, seeing self as the purest and seeing all humans as sinful are the opposite view of the covered self. He views the activities of others as a big mirror of his own behavior. Indeed, negative judgments on others are a reflection of the impurity of his behavior. For example, the behavior of a thief will suspect someone else as a thief. This is quoted in the language of “A thief who yells thief”. Behavior of someone who violates the law will suspect others as the lawbreaker. This is expressed in the language of “single-edged law, sharp downward but blunt upward”. There are other variants of behavior that are often accompanied by the presence of parables explaining the behavior. Even though everything looks so clear, it becomes blurry (even dark sometimes). All of those are caused by a dirty heart and whole self and are accustomed to wallowing on something dirty, making him accustomed to creating alibis by looking for other images to put the blame on other people. It is so beautiful that Allah builds a theory of truth for His servants who long for His truth.
WaAllahua’lam bi al-shawwab.
Translated by: Ahmad Jailani, M.Pd.I ((Lecturer of English Education Study Program of STAIN Bengkalis)
