[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Sunday, January 28, 2018

The Cursed Tree

Warnings: Past & Future Trials 
So set your face to the religion upright. Nature (made by) Allah (upon) which He has created mankind [on it]. No change (should there be) in the creation (of) Allah. That (is) the religion the correct, but most men (do) not know. [Al-Quran 30:30] 
So set your face to the religion right, before [that] comes a Day not (can be) averted [it] from Allah. That Day, they will be divided. [Al-Quran 30:43] 


Disease & Cure - VII 
Mission of the Messengers - XX    



Abstract
Adam was tried with the Forbidden Tree in the Garden. The trial of the Cursed Tree awaits the people destined for Hell on the Day of Judgment & Recompense, the Day of Religion (يَوْمَ الدِّينِ).    


Full Text

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لَكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ أَحَاطَ بِالنَّاسِ وَمَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّؤْيَا الَّتِي أَرَيْنَاكَ
إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَالشَّجَرَةَ الْمَلْعُونَةَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ
وَنُخَوِّفُهُمْ فَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا طُغْيَانًا كَبِيرًا
And when We said to you, "Indeed, your Lord has encompassed the mankind." And not We made the vision which We showed you 
except (as) a trial for mankind, and the tree the accursed in the Quran.
And We threaten them but not it increases them except (in) transgression great.
 [Al-Quran 17:60]

Cursed means to be removed from God's mercy. Ali Unal translates Q17:60 thus: ... and (in the same way We mentioned) in the Qur’an the Accursed Tree (the tree in Hell absolutely outside the sphere of God’s Mercy). ... 

Surah asSaafaat focuses on the warnings and how the chosen ones (Q37:40)  are saved in this world and how they will be rewarded with everlasting bliss in the Hereafter (Q37:41-50), and then narrates a conversation, which concludes as:  

قَالَ تَاللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ
وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّي لَكُنتُ مِنَ الْمُحْضَرِينَ
أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ
إِلَّا مَوْتَتَنَا الْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
لِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْعَامِلُونَ

He (will) say, "By Allah, verily, you almost ruined me.
And if not (for the) Grace (of) my Lord, certainly, I (would) have been among those brought.
Then are not we (to) die,
Except our death the first, and not we will be punished?"
Indeed, this surely (is) the attainment great.
For (the) like (of) this, let work the workers.
[Al-Quran 37:56-61]

Immortality is decreed for the Hereafter. After resurrection, nobody will die. But while the chosen ones are promised health, happiness and the inheritance of the Gardens, the unjust who were warned against the wrongs they were committing, will suffer the trial of the cursed tree:  

أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ الزَّقُّومِ
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّالِمِينَ
إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِي أَصْلِ الْجَحِيمِ
طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُ رُءُوسُ الشَّيَاطِينِ
فَإِنَّهُمْ لَآكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ
ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى الْجَحِيمِ
إِنَّهُمْ أَلْفَوْا آبَاءَهُمْ ضَالِّينَ
فَهُمْ عَلَىٰ آثَارِهِمْ يُهْرَعُونَ
وَلَقَدْ ضَلَّ قَبْلَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِم مُّنذِرِينَ
فَانظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الْمُنذَرِينَ
إِلَّا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ الْمُخْلَصِينَ

Is that better (as) hospitality or (the) tree (of) Zaqqum
Indeed, We [We] have made it a trial for the wrongdoers.
Indeed, it (is) a tree that grows in (the) bottom (of) the Hellfire,
Its emerging fruit (is) as if it (was) heads (of) the devils.
And indeed, they (will) surely eat from it and fill with it (their) bellies.
Then indeed, for them in it (is) a mixture of boiling water.
Then indeed, their return (will) surely be to the Hellfire.
Indeed, they found their fathers astray.
So they on their footsteps they hastened.
And verily, went astray before them most (of) the former (people),
And verily, We sent among them warners.
Then see how was (the) end (of) those who were warned,
Except (the) slaves (of) Allah the chosen ones.
[Al-Quran 37:62-74]

About the cursed tree, it states in Surah adDukhan: 

إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ الزَّقُّومِ
طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ
كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ
كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ
خُذُوهُ فَاعْتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَاءِ الْجَحِيمِ
ثُمَّ صُبُّوا فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْحَمِيمِ

Indeed, (the) tree (of) Zaqqum
(Will be) food (of) the sinner(s).
Like the murky oil, it will boil in the bellies,
Like boiling (of) scalding water.
"Seize him and drag him into (the) midst (of) the Hellfire,
Then pour over his head of (the) punishment (of) the scalding water.
[Al-Quran 44:43-48]


About the companions of the left (Q56:41) Surah alWaqiah states …


لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَاتِ يَوْمٍ مَّعْلُومٍ
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا الضَّالُّونَ الْمُكَذِّبُونَ
لَآكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ
فَمَالِئُونَ مِنْهَا الْبُطُونَ
فَشَارِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الْحَمِيمِ
فَشَارِبُونَ شُرْبَ الْهِيمِ
هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ الدِّينِ

Surely, will be gathered for (the) appointment (of) a Day well-known."
"Then indeed you, O those astray! the deniers,
Will surely eat from (the) tree of Zaqqum.
Then will fill with it the bellies,
And drink over it [from] the scalding water,
And will drink (as) drinking (of) the thirsty camels."
This (is) their hospitality (on the) Day (of) Judgment.
[Al-Quran 56:50-56]


Past Trial 
Early on in The Quran, our story begins with Adam’s appointment as khalifa. He was warned about the tree when he was placed in The Garden:

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَكُلَا مِنْهَا رَغَدًا حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
And We said, "O Adam! Dwell you and your spouse (in) Paradise, and [you both] eat from it freely (from) wherever you [both] wish. But do not [you two] approach this [the] tree, lest you [both] be of the wrongdoers."
[Al-Quran 2:35]

Surah alA`raf re-tells the story of Adam:

وَيَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ فَكُلَا مِنْ حَيْثُ شِئْتُمَا وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
And O Adam! Dwell, you and your wife, (in) the Garden, and you both eat from wherever you both wish, but (do) not approach [both of you] this [the] tree lest you both be among the wrongdoers."
 [Al-Quran 7:19]

Yet again, in Surah Taha it is explained:

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰ
فَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ إِنَّ هَٰذَا عَدُوٌّ لَّكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَىٰ
إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ
وَأَنَّكَ لَا تَظْمَأُ فِيهَا وَلَا تَضْحَىٰ
فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ الشَّيْطَانُ قَالَ يَا آدَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ الْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ
فَأَكَلَا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَعَصَىٰ آدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَىٰ
ثُمَّ اجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَىٰ
قَالَ اهْبِطَا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُم مِّنِّي هُدًى فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَىٰ
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَىٰ وَقَدْ كُنتُ بَصِيرًا
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آيَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذَٰلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنسَىٰ
وَكَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِن بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰ

And when We said to the Angels, "Prostrate to Adam," then they prostrated, except Iblis; he refused.
Then We said, "O Adam! Indeed, this (is) an enemy to you and to your wife. So not (let) him drive you both from Paradise so (that) you would suffer.
Indeed, for you that not you will be hungry therein and not you will be unclothed.
And that you not will suffer from thirst therein and not exposed to the sun's heat."
Then whispered to him Shaitaan, he said, "O Adam! Shall I direct you to (the) tree (of) the Eternity and a kingdom not (that will) deteriorate?"
Then they both ate from it, so became apparent to them their shame and they began, (to) fasten on themselves from (the) leaves (of) Paradise. And Adam disobeyed his Lord, and erred.
Then chose him his Lord, and turned to him and guided (him).
He said, "Go down from it all, some of you to others (as) enemy. Then if comes to you from Me guidance then whoever, follows My guidance, then not he will go astray and not suffer.
And whoever turns away from My remembrance, then indeed, for him (is) a life straitened and We will gather him (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection blind."
He will say, "My Lord! Why You raised me blind while [verily] I had sight."
He will say, "Thus came to you Our Signs, but you forgot them, and thus today you will be forgotten."
And thus We recompense (he) who transgresses, and not believes in (the) Signs (of) his Lord. And surely (the) punishment (of) the Hereafter (is) more severe and more lasting.
 [Al-Quran 20:116-127]

Satan tempted Adam with the promise of immortality. As discussed in detail in Adam’s Attempt to Improve upon Allah’s Creation, Adam erred and suffered as a consequence of his disobedience to Allah.
Excerpt from Adam Facts 

Our clothing is a sign from Allah (Q7:26), and has been bestowed as a replacement to cover our shame. While scientists wonder why we are the rare creatures without natural clothing, scripture informs us that we were once perfect:   

وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ
وَطُورِ سِينِينَ
وَهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ
فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدِّينِ
أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ

By the fig, and the olive,
And (the) Mount Sinai,
And this [the] city, [the] secure,
Indeed, We created man in (the) best mould.
Then We returned him (to the) lowest (of the) low,
Except those who believe and do righteous deeds, then for them (is a) reward never ending.
Then what causes you to deny after (this) the judgment?
Is not Allah (the) Most Just (of) the Judges?
[Al-Quran 95:1-8]



Past Warnings 

وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ اتَّقُوا مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَمَا خَلْفَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ آيَةٍ مِّنْ آيَاتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
And when it is said to them, "Fear what (is) before you and what (is) behind you so that you may receive mercy."
And not comes to them of a Sign from (the) Signs (of) their Lord, but they from it turn away.
[Al-Quran 36:45-46]


Not only was Adam pre-warned before he underwent the trial of the forbidden tree, the progeny of Adam have also been pre-warned. Surah anNisa, Ayat 119, quotes Satan when he vowed to mislead the Adam and his progeny:


...

 Excerpts from Human: Body or Soul? 


 On the promised Day, when nobody will be wronged in the least, God will ask: 

 Excerpt from Rethink Genetic Engineering in the Light of the Quran (a presentation) 


While Surah Yasin informs us that people ignore the signs, Surah alFussilat explains that the reason why such people are negligent of 'what is before and behind them':    

وَيَوْمَ يُحْشَرُ أَعْدَاءُ اللَّهِ إِلَى النَّارِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ
حَتَّىٰ إِذَا مَا جَاءُوهَا شَهِدَ عَلَيْهِمْ سَمْعُهُمْ وَأَبْصَارُهُمْ وَجُلُودُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
وَقَالُوا لِجُلُودِهِمْ لِمَ شَهِدتُّمْ عَلَيْنَا قَالُوا أَنطَقَنَا اللَّهُ الَّذِي أَنطَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ خَلَقَكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَتِرُونَ أَن يَشْهَدَ عَلَيْكُمْ سَمْعُكُمْ وَلَا أَبْصَارُكُمْ وَلَا جُلُودُكُمْ وَلَٰكِن ظَنَنتُمْ أَنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَعْلَمُ كَثِيرًا مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
وَذَٰلِكُمْ ظَنُّكُمُ الَّذِي ظَنَنتُم بِرَبِّكُمْ أَرْدَاكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم مِّنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا فَالنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا فَمَا هُم مِّنَ الْمُعْتَبِينَ
وَقَيَّضْنَا لَهُمْ قُرَنَاءَ فَزَيَّنُوا لَهُم مَّا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَوْلُ فِي أُمَمٍ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا خَاسِرِينَ
And (the) Day will be gathered (the) enemies (of) Allah to the Fire, then they will be assembled in rows, Until, when they come to it (will) testify against them their hearing, and their sight, and their skins, (as) to what they used to do. And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say, "Allah made us speak, the One Who makes speak every thing; and He created you (the) first time, and to Him you will be returned." And not you were covering yourselves lest testify against you your hearing and not your sight and not your skins, but you assumed that Allah (does) not know much of what you do. And that (was) your assumption which you assumed about your Lord. It has ruined you, and you have of the losers. Then if they endure, the Fire (is) an abode for them; and if they ask for favor, then not they (will be) of those who receive favor.
And We have destined for them companions (who) made fair-seeming to them, what (was) before them and what (was) behind them, and (is) justified against them the Word among nations (that have) passed away before them of the jinn and the men. Indeed, they were losers. 
[Al-Quran 41:19-25] 


إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُلْحِدُونَ فِي آيَاتِنَا لَا يَخْفَوْنَ عَلَيْنَا أَفَمَن يُلْقَىٰ فِي النَّارِ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّن يَأْتِي آمِنًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِالذِّكْرِ لَمَّا جَاءَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُ لَكِتَابٌ عَزِيزٌ
لَّا يَأْتِيهِ الْبَاطِلُ مِن بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَلَا مِنْ خَلْفِهِ تَنزِيلٌ مِّنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ
مَّا يُقَالُ لَكَ إِلَّا مَا قَدْ قِيلَ لِلرُّسُلِ مِن قَبْلِكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو مَغْفِرَةٍ وَذُو عِقَابٍ أَلِيمٍ
وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَاهُ قُرْآنًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ أَأَعْجَمِيٌّ وَعَرَبِيٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا هُدًى وَشِفَاءٌ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِي آذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُولَٰئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍ بَعِيدٍ
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ فَاخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبِّكَ لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَفِي شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ مُرِيبٍ
مَّنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلِنَفْسِهِ وَمَنْ أَسَاءَ فَعَلَيْهَا وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ
Indeed, those who distort [in] Our Verses (are) not hidden from Us. So, is (he) who is cast in the Fire better or (he) who comes secure (on the) Day (of) Resurrection? Do what you will. Indeed, He of what you do (is) All-Seer.
Indeed, those who disbelieve in the Reminder when it comes to them. And indeed, it (is) surely a Book mighty.
Not comes to it the falsehood from before it and not from behind it. A Revelation from (the) All-Wise, (the) Praiseworthy.
Not is said to you except what was said to the Messengers before you. Indeed, your Lord (is) Possessor (of) forgiveness, and Possessor (of) penalty painful.
And if We (had) made it a Quran (in) a foreign (language), they (would have) said, "Why not are explained in detail its verses? (Is it) a foreign (language) and an Arab?" Say, "It (is) for those who believe, a guidance and a healing." And those who (do) not believe, in their ears (is) deafness, and it (is) for them blindness. Those are being called from a place far."
And certainly, We gave Musa the Book, but disputes arose therein. And had it not been (for) a word (that) preceded from your Lord, surely, would have been settled between them. But indeed, they surely (are) in doubt about it disquieting.
Whoever does righteous deeds then it is for his soul; and whoever does evil, then it is against it. And not (is) your Lord unjust to His slaves.
[Al-Quran 41:40-46]  


The Message of Hope
Surah azZumar places emphasis on sincerity in دِّينِ . It offers hope in the following words:  

قُلْ يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِن رَّحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
وَأَنِيبُوا إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ وَأَسْلِمُوا لَهُ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ
وَاتَّبِعُوا أَحْسَنَ مَا أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ الْعَذَابُ بَغْتَةً وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَشْعُرُونَ
Say, "O Those who have transgressed against themselves, (do) not despair of (the) Mercy (of) Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives the sins all. Indeed He, He (is) the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful. 
And turn to your Lord and submit to Him before [that] comes to you the punishment; then not you will be helped.
And follow (the) best (of) what is revealed to you from your Lord before [that] comes to you the punishment suddenly, while you (do) not perceive,




Last updated on: June 2, 2018


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