A Tree

A tree holds symbolic meaning in all religions and cultures throughout time.  Allah uses this metaphor to talk about iman (faith).  According to the Herder Symbol Dictionary, a tree can represent "spiritual and intellectual development."

Allah, Exalted be He, says:

See you not how Allah sets forth a parable: A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky. Giving its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember. (14: 24-25)

`Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that `Abdullah bin `Abbas commented that Allah's statement: 

...a parable: a goodly word...

Refers to testifying to La ilaha illallah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) 

...as a goodly tree...

Refers to the believer

...whose root is firmly fixed...

Indicates that La ilaha illallah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) is firm in the believers' heart. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

Shaikh Navaid Aziz in his course Fundamentals of Tawheed talked about this verse and gave benefits of this tree:

1. Jannah
• Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - they will have the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging, (18:107)
2. Protection from the Fire
• Rasullah (SAW) said, "Whoever dies knowing that there is no one worthy of worship except Allaah shall enter Paradise." (Sahih Muslim)
3. A key to have all other deeds accepted
• But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allah]. (17:19)
4. Means of Forgiveness of sins
• Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (25:70)
5. Achieving the protection of Allah
• Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve (10:62)
6. Allah will fight on your behalf
• Indeed, Allah defends those who have believed. Indeed, Allah does not like everyone treacherous and ungrateful. (22:38)
7. Allah will guide you
• Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - their Lord will guide them because of their faith. Beneath them rivers will flow in the Gardens of Pleasure (10:9)
8. Protection and comfort for the believers
• Those to whom hypocrites said, "Indeed, the people have gathered against you, so fear them." But it [merely] increased them in faith, and they said, "Sufficient for us is Allah , and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs." (3:173)
9. Good always occurs to the believer
• Suhaib reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (God), thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it. (Sahih Muslim)
10. Exit and excape from all sorrows and problems
• And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.  (65:2-3)
11. Raised up in this life and the hereafter
• Those are the believers, truly. For them are degrees [of high position] with their Lord and forgiveness and noble provision. (8:4)
12. Protection from falling into evil
• While as for those who walk aright, He addeth to their guidance, and giveth them their protection (against evil). (47:17) [Pickthall translation]
13. A good life
• Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (16:97)
14. Angels give glad tidings
• For them are good tidings in the worldly life and in the Hereafter. No change is there in the words of Allah . That is what is the great attainment. (10:64)
15. Khilafah
• Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me. But whoever disbelieves after that - then those are the defiantly disobedient. (24:55)
16. Brotherhood
• The believers are but brothers (49:10)
17. Love written for them on the earth
• Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds - the Most Merciful will appoint for them affection. (19:96)
18. Benefit from advice
• And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers. (51:55)
19. Light on the Day of Judgement
• On the Day you see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], "Your good tidings today are [of] gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally." That is what is the great attainment. (57:12)
20. Greatest Blessing: Looking at Allah
• For them who have done good is the best [reward] and extra. No darkness will cover their faces, nor humiliation. Those are companions of Paradise; they will abide therein eternally (10:26)
• The explanation that this ["and extra"] refers to looking at Allah's Noble Face was narrated from Abu Bakr, Hudhayfah bin Al-Yaman, `Abdullah bin `Abbas, Sa`id bin Al-Musayyib, `Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Layla, `Abdur-Rahman bin Sabit, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Amir bin Sa`ad, `Ata', Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, As-Suddi, Muhammad bin Ishaq, and others from the earlier and later scholars. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]