By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Roots are plant organs that serve a vital role in the life of trees and plants. It works as a barrier to plant establishment, absorbing water and nutrient flow. Epidermal tissue, cortex, endodermis, and the central cylinder comprise the root’s anatomical structure, comprising four successive layers of tissue from outermost to innermost (stele). The potential of the roots enables trees to become taller, larger, more robust, fertile, and prolific. Despite being buried in the soil, roots serve an essential purpose for every plant. This is because the roots serve as a conduit for minerals and nutrients to enter the plant from the soil.
The biological roles and functions of roots for plant survival are diverse. Among its tasks and duties are absorbing water and mineral salts from the soil, supporting and bolstering the development of plants in their habitat, acting as a source of respiration, and providing a location for food storage. The roots are a continuation of the plant axis and consist of two parts: root hairs, which are useful for absorbing water, and root hoods, which protect the roots as they penetrate the soil. The more robust and healthier the roots, the higher the quality of all tree and plant components. Such is the importance of roots for the continued existence of plants.
Differently, if the tree’s roots are sick, weak, and do not penetrate the soil, then the tree easily topples, is unhealthy, and cannot produce good fruit. What’s more, the tree has no roots. Initially, the leaves are still green, but this only lasts for a few moments. A tree without roots will wither and eventually die within minutes. In Islam, faith is the foundation of a servant. If faith is strong, it will nourish the entire body (physically and mentally) to perform action (worship) activities by referring sincerely and completely to the teachings of Islam (kaffah). Nevertheless, if faith experiences “blockage or damage,” then the nutrients flowing to the entire human body will cause weakness, dehydration, damage, and death. The month of Ramadan is set aside by Allah for His believing followers to fast. He summons His followers to fast with a noble call (mukmin). This corresponds to His words: “Dear you who believe, it is incumbent upon you to fast, just as it was incumbent upon those who came before you, so that you may dread Allah” (QS. al-Baqarah: 183).
Undoubtedly, the aforementioned verse is an invitation to glory and praise for His believing followers. A call to which the servant must respond with unwavering dedication. A call that must be accomplished and obtained by every individual during and after Ramadan.
What a tragedy if he does not receive the call to greatness. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen and cultivate faith (roots) in order to channel the nutrients of action that have the potential to result in the call to glory. Fasting is a “charger” that strengthens and recharges the battery of faith when it is weak. The fast of Ramadan is a reflection of oneself in the position of a believer’s servant or kufr. The presence of Ramadan is eagerly anticipated and enjoyed with longing for Allah by those who believe. It is done with sincerity, and the pleasure of fasting is comparable to the pleasure of eating for starving servants. Thus, the presence of Ramadan is always anticipated with tremendous anticipation.
In contrast, for the unbeliever, Ramadan resembles “prison-like confinement”. As a result, Ramadan is never anticipated or anticipated. If fasting is observed, merely carry out the directive or satisfy the requirement. There are also a few who fast during Ramadan out of shame and in isolation from other people. Even the worst is never considered to exist during Ramadan. They intentionally engage in eating and drinking activities with “haughtiness” and disregard for others who fast. As if one responds to Allah’s call with arrogance and a “challenging” attitude. A level of hubris that transcends that of Satan, who has provoked Allah’s wrath.
Indeed, there is a correlation between tree roots and Ramadan prayer. This is because faith is the foundation of the servant who welcomes Ramadan. There are multiple connections between tree roots and fasting during Ramadan. Among the connections between the two are:
First, as the roots operate to transport nutrients throughout the tree, the nutrients of submission and longing for Allah are transported throughout the actions of faith. This is what Allah says: “…..Indeed, my prayer and worship, my life and my death are only for Allah, the Lord of the universe” (Qur’an, al-An’am, 162).
If roots are the primary factor for trees, then faith is the primary pillar for each of His servants’ movements. Vertically, faith is an abstract and personal domain. Only exterior behaviours that give fruit in morals and beautification, which cannot be engineered horizontally, reveal the depth of faith. In the month of Ramadan, a servant’s Zahir faith is evident when he or she fasts and engages in worship. Nonetheless, the quality of inner faith will benefit from the Ramadan values and imprint on the character of the self (excellence) after Ramadan. The continuity of Ramadan’s principles can impress on the servant from one Ramadan to the next. The former nutrients of faith circulate synchronously and steadily throughout the body (acting rightly) Constantly concealed worship, is similar to the concealment of nutrients that circulate through the body. Because he only provides Allah with the fruits of his faith. He does not want his neighbours to know, for fear of diminishing the pleasure of his relationship with the Khaliq. This contact will lead the servant to fulfil Allah’s said, “Those who believe adore (obey) Allah more” (QS. al-Baqarah: 165).
Secondly, if roots are embedded in the soil and are invisible, then faith is also invisible. The heart is ingrained with faith. It is inconspicuous, yet crucial to the support of charitable organizations. When the tree’s roots are not visible, it is a sign that it will be robust. However, if the tree’s roots are visible, it indicates that it lacks strength. Similarly, when faith is strong, worship is devoid of riya’ (flexing). Nonetheless, if the worship of faith appears to be elevated by riya’ and counting with Allah, it is an indication that faith lacks the nourishment of longing and shame of Allah. In reality, Allah never takes His followers into account. Allah is Lord over all creatures, believers and non-believers alike. Allah provides every creature in the universe with whatever they require. Allah bestows His blessings upon all. For this reason, worship is not to be counted with Him; rather, it is an expression of gratitude (thanks) and a necessity for Allah’s followers due to their limits and frailties. As if a fruitful tree never relies on its roots, as the roots have no interest in the nutrient supply that is directed to the fruit. But the bountiful fruit is an expression of gratitude for the roots from which he has received all the ingredients of life. Fruit served all living things (especially humans). While the roots are always subterranean and are not envious of their contribution, they are always hidden.
Fasting and the Ramadan series Worship should not be performed for the purpose of being judged as pious (riya’). Or glorify Allah by counting actions. Everything is done for the sake of Ramadan, which increases action but has no lasting impact after Ramadan. Allah reminds us of this through His words: “He created death and life to try which of you is superior in actions, and He is the All-Powerful, the Forgiving” (QS. al-Mulk: 2).
Therefore, riya’ destroys practice. It resembles the uprooting of roots. Even though the fruit is so dense, it will continue to fall and provide no benefits. This is emphasized by the words of the Prophet of Allah: “In truth, I am most concerned about your minor shirk.” They asked, “What is this minor idolatry, O Muhammad?” He answered, “Riya.” On the Day of Judgment, after repaying the acts of the slaves, Allah, the Almighty, will say: “On the Day of Judgment, go to those with whom you joked while you were in this world, and see if they have rewarded you.” (Ahmad)
In fact, riya’ is comparable to a traveller carrying a bucket of water. Yet, the bucket leaks due to the riya’ character of the self. Unknowingly, the water leaks out of the bucket drop by drop, until there is not a single drop remaining. Although publications are necessary for fostering motivation in others, sincerity and humility are the keys to the heart. If the lock is left open or intentionally opened, amazed will appear, revealing riya’ and exclaim. In truth, the purpose of fasting is to experience the joy of preserving secrets with Allah. Because fasting carries the secret of fasting (along with all action) with the Divine, without anyone knowing or needing to be informed. Allah reveals this through the Qudsi hadith: Abu Hurairah RA reported that the Prophet of Allah SAW said, “Allah states, “All the actions of Adam’s son except fasting are for him.” It belongs to Me, and I shall reward it ” (HR. Bukhari and Muslim).
Thirdly, the trees and fruits produced reflect the quality of the underlying roots. The roots of a healthy plant are robust. Roots that transport nutrients to the trunk yield fruit that is both sweet and sour. The same holds true for humans. Strong faith will produce virtuous actions (action). Allah and His Messenger covet bestowal, which is reflected in one’s character (morals) and results from Allah’s and Allah’s Messenger’s desire. Bestowal is the ultimate level of fruit for the wholesome roots of faith and the vigour of activity exclusively for Allah. Bestowal is the result of acting rightly trust, which drives servants to become Charitable in both horizontal and vertical hope. Despite the fact that sometimes the remaining humans deny the level of a person’s charitable, the entirety of nature will witness and bless the owner of bestowal nature. After Ramadan, the owner of the bestowal fruit will continually maintain the aroma and sweetness of Ramadan instruction. This is communicated through the words of the Prophet Muhammad: From Abu Ya’la Syaddad bin Aus, the Prophet of Allah SAW said: “Allah has indeed placed good deeds (bestowal) above everything. If you kill, be proficient at it. If you slaughter, do it well, sharpen your knife, and make the animal you kill happy ” (HR. Muslim).
Such is the attractiveness of a servant endowed with a bestowal nature. He is not only kind to his fellow humans, but also to the entirety of the universe. All are based on the quality of unwavering faith (root). Alternatively, if the root of trust does not permeate the entirety of the self, a tree will develop that appears healthy but has a rotten side on the inside, preventing it from producing sweet and delicious fruit. As a result, the tree appears healthy but is unable to yield fruit of high quality (bestowal). In fact, the leaves yellow and fall off gradually. Similarly, if faith is weak and develops in parched soil (showing off), humans who fast will produce “sharia worship” without “essential nutrition.” As a result, worship is limited to euphoria, like a shaded but fruitless leaf. In fact, after Ramadan, the “fasting leaves” fall off and the branches of Ramadan break because the water of faith did not reach the roots. This situation causes the Ramadan tree to return to searching for nutrients like it did when it was initially planted. Allah reminds us of this through His word: “And (remember) when We took an oath from the Children of Israel: ‘You shall worship none but Allah and do good to parents, relatives, orphans, and the impoverished. And be courteous to men, conduct the prayer, and give alms.” But then, with the exception of a few, you disobeyed and turned away ” (al-Baqarah: 83).
So, Allah delivered His verses to mankind with elegance and clarity. Written and unfolded verses encourage human intelligence. There is no remaining doubt. Because all of His creations contain His words, which converse with servants who delight in communicating with the Almighty Creator, all of His works contain His words.
Although fasting has been prevalent throughout history, only the individual understands the depth of his or her faith’s roots, sharia’s firmness, action’s lushness, and bestowal’s sweetness. Although the mind and tongue can respond with numerous reasons and rhetoric, the answer of the heart can never be refuted in the presence of Allah. While Allah still provides the opportunity for Ramadan to be reunited. Make the most of this opportunity to sink the roots of your faith through seven (seven) layers of earth so that the stems and branches of your sincere practice for Allah’s sake penetrate seven (seven) layers of heaven. The robust roots of faith produce the trunks and branches of action with dense leaves, and produce ripe, sweet fruit whose perfume permeates sidrat al-muntaha (a large lote tree or Sidr tree that marks the utmost boundary in the seventh heaven, which no one can pass). Aamiin yaa robbal ‘aalamiin. How happy and fortunate is the degree of such a tree, may we and all descendants be the intended tree, aamiin yaa robbal ‘aalamiin.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by Riska Saputra, S.Pd
Alumni from the English Education Study Program at STAIN Bengkalis.
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan.
