By: Samsul Nizar
Professor and Head of STAIN Bengkalis
Bananas are one of the most well-known fruits in Indonesia, if not the most widely consumed fruit. There are at least 230 varieties of bananas in Indonesia. Apparently, bananas are a fruit that may be found in heaven. Allah states this in the Quran. Seven fruits are named: figs, olives, dates, grapes, pomegranates, cucumbers, and bananas. Bananas are mentioned in the Koran as one of the fruits of heaven. This conforms to God’s word: “and banana trees are heaped – stacked [fruit]” (QS al-Waqi’ah: 29).
The suggestion that bananas are one of the fruits of heaven has a mystery that must be uncovered. Even though it is a common fruit, the banana is unusual and conceals its secrets, including the following:
First, banana trees do not require a special environment or special care to thrive and produce benefits. It is a sort of plant that endures in all conditions and never gives up (conditions). Without becoming a parasite on the surrounding plants or giving up, the banana tree promotes perseverance and independence. The banana plant has faith in Allah’s assistance. This agrees with His words: “… Do not fret, Allah is certainly with us…” (QS. at-Taubah: 40).
Banana plants are capable of possessing respectable qualities despite their restrictions. Humans have more potential than banana plants, but they frequently lack independence and, empathy, and self-confidence, seek assistance and privileges constantly, become parasites, and give up easily. When a banana tree exerts effort and depends on Allah’s promises, humans are always impatient for His promises and believe more in the “promises of creatures.” Consequently, humans frequently “ask for the fate of life” and rationalize any methods to achieve desired “privileges.”
Second, banana trees are always preparing their offspring. Before bearing fruit or being taken down, a plant gives birth to its generation. As though the banana tree comprehends the human condition. After bearing fruit, the tree will be taken down. In order to continue its struggle and purpose to benefit God’s creatures, the banana tree must first prepare a new generation. He really presented his successor before he produced fruit. He instructed his successors on how to interact with the environment and advance the cosmos radically apart from human nature. This is because humans have a tendency to put themselves and their co-workers first without training a qualified, autonomous generation and maintaining the caliphate’s goal for the world. In actuality, a few generations appear “like scissors in a fold,” living as parasites or as vicious predators feeding on one other and searching for their weaknesses. Consequently, intergenerational “suspicion” of the following generation arises. It is suspected that a generation and the subsequent generation will threaten their position.
Similarly, the following generation was suspicious of the preceding generation, and they attempted to “get rid of” (the era of revenge) so that the evidence of their dedication would be “swallowed by the soil.” It appeared as though the previous generation had made no contributions to society. It is as though the current generation alone produced civilization without the assistance of past generations. In reality, a generation’s accomplishments are the products (fruits) that were planted and the foundation laid by the previous generation. Such an attitude produces mutual suspicion and disdain in the centre of the ocean of life, as well as mutual disdain and mistrust downstream. This scissor-like tendency will diminish the civilizing quality of future generations. Allah is reminded of this by His words: “And dread Allah those who, if they leave behind feeble offspring, are concerned for their welfare (welfare). Therefore, let them fear Allah and use proper language” (QS al-Nisa’: 9).
Indeed, the aforementioned verse appears to be applied by a banana tree that is so intelligent in preparing generations through new shoots that will replace it with even better quality and without “vengeance” and self-forgetfulness. Banana shoots replace their parents in providing benefits to all living things. Humans believed to have reason and thought, and should be able to do more for the welfare of future generations than get a banana. This is due to the fact that humans must recognize that the achievements of civilization are a continuation of the civilization-building efforts of earlier generations. Life is not restricted to satisfying necessities and benefiting all of God’s creation; it is also required to demonstrate the ethics of mutual regard and esteem.
Thirdly, the banana tree does not wish to die before leaving organisms with advantages (fruit). Even if it is cut down, it will regrow and continue to produce fruit. Even whether it’s just a rice-wrapping leaf or a tool for shelter, the banana tree attempts to deliver benefits prior to its demise. He is present to bring advantages and is not a source of abomination. The banana tree believes the Bible “If you do good (it means) you do good for yourself. And if you commit evil, (the loss of evil) belongs to you…” (QS. al-Isra ‘: 7).
The banana tree understands the preceding verse. Even though he does not enjoy the results of his labor, the banana tree strives to produce offspring who will continue to thrive and provide fruit for all beings to enjoy. After leaving the benefits to the following generation, the young banana tree produces fruit. After producing fruit, the tree dies, whether it is taken down by humans or by natural causes. Humans should behave similarly. Only depart a location (much less the world) with leaving a legacy of high-quality, meaningful work. Do good everywhere, always, and to everyone. This is because you may be “forced” to leave a location abruptly and immediately at any time. If you do not want a substitute because you believe that only you have the right to appear, you have made the incorrect decision. Or consider yourself to be the most suitable individual but without considerable talent. Even their children are considered a menace that must be eliminated if they grow. This artwork reflects the historical perspective of the Pharaoh, who murdered all male children out of fear of losing his control.
Fourth, practically every part of the banana tree is beneficial, including the roots, stems, leaves, and heart, not to mention the fruit. All dhikr is offered to Allah through benefiting the universe. Allah expresses this through His words: “In the creation of the sky and the earth, as well as the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for the discerning. Namely, those who recall Allah while standing, sitting, or lying down (QS. Ali Imran: 190-191).
Even when bananas are unripe, they can be used to make chips or veggies. After removing the arrangement of young banana fruits, the end of the bunch reveals a delectable banana heart with numerous benefits. Banana leaves provide numerous benefits for animals and have economic value. In truth, banana stems are beneficial to humans as well. In actuality, bananas reveal a portrait of human nature. Since he was young, he should have made his parents happy; as a child, he adored nature; and after his death, he rested quietly in the embrace of the soil. That is the purpose of life: to help others while you can, while you can, and while you still have the opportunity. Not waiting until you are no longer able to do something or until your death brings about regrets that are no longer significant.
Fifth, Banana trees do not harbor grudges and do not teach despotism to their offspring. The banana tree does not harbor resentment when it is not fertilized or cared for, even if it produces fruit and is afterward taken down. However, a banana tree is sincere when it is chopped down to give its branches opportunities to continue doing good. He knows that life is a connection between bitter and sweet. He recognized that he had little time to participate. He made room for the generation of his shoots (generation) to take over the relay in order to construct civilization. Regardless of the circumstances, the mother banana never inherits grudges or exacts vengeance on her offspring. In fact, he instructed his children to remain fertile, to have luscious leaves, and to propagate virtues that all of God’s creatures can appreciate. This is clear evidence that all of God’s creatures have benefits so long as they are willing to contribute to the alleviation of others’ suffering. Because every creature’s existence should be purposeful and beneficial to the universe. Thus, the Malay proverb urges us to “sit to seek knowledge, stand to discover” while lying down to recall the One. A proclamation packed with meaning, in the form of a pledge made through His words: “Say (Muhammad), Indeed, my prayers, my worship, my life, and my death are entirely for Allah, Lord of the universes” (Qur’an, Al-An’am, 162).
Sixth, the fibers in the fruit and the entire stem are analogous to all the veins in the human body, completing the image of Allah’s innumerable names’ Al-Husna. Each of Allah’s names contains 99 fractions. And so on till the infinity of Allah’s names, the limitless substance. All banana fiber memory strands are Allah’s word. The fruit that grew due to his recall was sweet and tasty. Because every memory is the servant of hope to produce kindness. Kindness enhances life’s sweetness. In the meantime, a pulse devoid of memories will give rise to a cruel and destructive civilization. Remembrance is not limited to words alone but includes the vibrations of all organs praising His asthma. The vibrations that move themselves give birth to a just civilization for all of nature. Indeed, banana fiber and urates in the human body are correlated. Even though it must be researched scientifically, its existence resembles a network of body systems that lead to a central point that can vibrate with a desire for the Supreme Being. When the vertical desire is satisfied, it will extend throughout the body to perform slavery and caliphate-related tasks. However, if the network is severed by worldly desires that obscure the heart’s eyes, it will lead to disobedience to Allah and the propagation of evil across the universe. All saw the outcome of human conduct as upstream tendons on him.
Bananas have such profound meanings and lessons. He never desired to be remembered merely as a name but rather for the benefits he provided, which nature has enjoyed. Mankind should occasionally feel embarrassed of banana trees for the harm they have caused to humans and nature. Do you still consider yourself noble if you haven’t been able to surpass what the banana tree has given you, much less the attributes of other Allah’s creations, which are frequently superior? Obviously, if the banana is one of the fruit types in heaven. Because if humans can learn from bananas, they will eventually meet and enjoy bananas in heaven. All of this is, of course, only accessible to those whose hearts are filled with Allah’s Word and who can perceive and respond to it in the form of genuine ethics while living in this world.
Wa Allahua’lam bi al-Shawwab.
Translated by RiskaSaputra, S.Pd
Alumni of the English Education Study Program from STAIN Bengkalis.
Master Student at Graduate Institute of Network Learning Technology in National Central University, Taiwan.
