Question

Is there a reference for this?

There is a tree in the Heavens where the name of every human being – Muslim and non-Muslim, is written on a leaf. When the time for a person’s death arrives, the leaf breaks off and falls into the lap of the angel of Death. The angel then informs the other angels that the appointed time for a particular individual has come.

 

Answer

Imam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullah) cited this narration in Bustanul Wa’izin, a secondary source.

He writes, “It has been mentioned in some reports (akhbar) that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has a tree, whose branch extends beneath the ‘Arsh. On each of its leaves is inscribed the name of one of His servants. When the appointed time for a person’s death arrives, the leaf bearing their name falls into the lap of the Angel of Death, who then takes their soul at that moment.”

(Bustanul Wa’izin, pg. 151)

However, I have not come across a chain of transmission for this nor have I found any grading from a Muhaddith of the past.

Another narration

‘Allamah Suyuti (rahimahullah) has cited the following statement of Muhammad ibn Juhadah (rahimahullah), a Tabi’i and has referenced it to Abush Shaykh:

Muhammad ibn Juhadah (rahimahullah) said regarding the Verse in Surah Al An’am “And not a leaf falls but that He knows it”, “Allah Ta’ala has a tree beneath the ‘Arsh. Every single creation has a leaf on that tree. When the leaf falls, his soul leaves his body.” This is the explanation of the Verse: “And not a leaf falls but that He knows it.”

(Ad Durrul Manthur, vol. 6, pg. 65, Surah Al An’am, Verse: 59 and Ruhul Ma’ani, vol. 8, pg. 206, Surah Al An’am, Verse: 59)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

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التخريج من المصادر العربية

بستان الواعظين ورياض السامعين (ص: ١٥١)
ذكر في بعض الأخبار أن لله سبحانه وتعالى شجرة فرعها تحت العرش مكتوب على كل ورقة من أوراقها اسم عبد من عبيده فإذا جاء أجل العبد سقطت تلك الورقة التي فيها اسمه في حجر ملك الموت فأخذ روحه في الوقت

الدر المنثور في التفسير بالمأثور: (٦/ ٦٥)
وأخرج أبو الشيخ عن محمد بن جحاده في قوله {وما تسقط من ورقة إلا يعلمها} قال: لله تبارك وتعالى شجرة تحت العرش ليس مخلوق إلا له فيها ورقة فإذا سقطت ورقته خرجت روحه من جسده فذلك قوله {وما تسقط من ورقة إلا يعلمها}.

تفسير الألوسي = روح المعاني: (٨/ ٢٠٦)
ومثله في عدم التبادر ما أخرجه أبو الشيخ عن محمد بن جحادة أنه قال: إن لله تعالى شجرة تحت العرش ليس مخلوق إلا له فيها ورقة فإذا سقطت ورقته خرجت روحه من جسده، وذلك قوله سبحانه: {وما تسقط من ورقة}.