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Ayah
Word by Word
أَنزَلَ
He sends down
مِنَ
from
ٱلسَّمَآءِ
the sky
مَآءٗ
water
فَسَالَتۡ
and flows
أَوۡدِيَةُۢ
the valleys
بِقَدَرِهَا
according to their measure
فَٱحۡتَمَلَ
and carries
ٱلسَّيۡلُ
the torrent
زَبَدٗا
a foam
رَّابِيٗاۖ
rising
وَمِمَّا
And from what
يُوقِدُونَ
they heat
عَلَيۡهِ
[on] it
فِي
in
ٱلنَّارِ
the fire
ٱبۡتِغَآءَ
in order to make
حِلۡيَةٍ
ornaments
أَوۡ
or
مَتَٰعٖ
utensils
زَبَدٞ
a foam
مِّثۡلُهُۥۚ
like it
كَذَٰلِكَ
Thus
يَضۡرِبُ
sets forth
ٱللَّهُ
Allah
ٱلۡحَقَّ
the truth
وَٱلۡبَٰطِلَۚ
and the falsehood
فَأَمَّا
Then as for
ٱلزَّبَدُ
the foam
فَيَذۡهَبُ
it passes away
جُفَآءٗۖ
(as) scum
وَأَمَّا
and as for
مَا
what
يَنفَعُ
benefits
ٱلنَّاسَ
the mankind
فَيَمۡكُثُ
remains
فِي
in
ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ
the earth
كَذَٰلِكَ
Thus
يَضۡرِبُ
Allah sets forth
ٱللَّهُ
Allah sets forth
ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ
the examples
أَنزَلَ
He sends down
مِنَ
from
ٱلسَّمَآءِ
the sky
مَآءٗ
water
فَسَالَتۡ
and flows
أَوۡدِيَةُۢ
the valleys
بِقَدَرِهَا
according to their measure
فَٱحۡتَمَلَ
and carries
ٱلسَّيۡلُ
the torrent
زَبَدٗا
a foam
رَّابِيٗاۖ
rising
وَمِمَّا
And from what
يُوقِدُونَ
they heat
عَلَيۡهِ
[on] it
فِي
in
ٱلنَّارِ
the fire
ٱبۡتِغَآءَ
in order to make
حِلۡيَةٍ
ornaments
أَوۡ
or
مَتَٰعٖ
utensils
زَبَدٞ
a foam
مِّثۡلُهُۥۚ
like it
كَذَٰلِكَ
Thus
يَضۡرِبُ
sets forth
ٱللَّهُ
Allah
ٱلۡحَقَّ
the truth
وَٱلۡبَٰطِلَۚ
and the falsehood
فَأَمَّا
Then as for
ٱلزَّبَدُ
the foam
فَيَذۡهَبُ
it passes away
جُفَآءٗۖ
(as) scum
وَأَمَّا
and as for
مَا
what
يَنفَعُ
benefits
ٱلنَّاسَ
the mankind
فَيَمۡكُثُ
remains
فِي
in
ٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ
the earth
كَذَٰلِكَ
Thus
يَضۡرِبُ
Allah sets forth
ٱللَّهُ
Allah sets forth
ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ
the examples
Translation
He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: But the torrent bears away to foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like forth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables.
Tafsir
He then strikes a similitude of truth and falsehood, saying: He, exalted be He, sends down water, rain, from the sky, whereat the valleys flow according to their measure, according to their full capacity, and the flood carries a scum that swells, rising above it, and this [scum] is the filth and the like that lies on the surface of the earth, and from that which they smelt (read tooqidoon, 'you smelt', or yooqidoon, 'they smelt') in the fire, of the earth's minerals, such as gold, silver or copper, desiring, seeking [to make], ornaments, adornment, or ware, which is useful, such as utensils, when they [the minerals] are melted; [there rises] a scum the like of it, that is, the like of the scum of the flood, and this [latter scum] consists of the impurities expelled by the bellows. Thus, in the way mentioned, God points out truth and falsehood, that is, [He points out] the similitude thereof. As for the scum, of the flood and of the minerals smelted, it passes away as dross, useless refuse, while that which is of use to mankind, in the way of water and minerals, lingers, remains, in the earth, for a time: likewise, falsehood wanes and is [eventually] effaced, even if it should prevail over the truth at certain times. Truth, on the other hand, is established and enduring. Thus, in the way mentioned, God strikes, He makes clear, similitudes.
"Two Parables proving that Truth remains and Falsehood perishes
This honorable Ayah contains two parables which affirm that truth remains and increases, while falsehood diminishes and perishes.
Allah said,
أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء
He sends down water from the sky,
He sends rain,
فَسَالَتۡ أَوۡدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا
and the valleys flow according to their measure,
each valley taking its share according to its capacity, for some valleys are wider and can retain more water than others which are small and thus retain smaller measures of water.
This Ayah indicates that hearts differ, for some of them can retain substantial knowledge while others cannot entertain knowledge, but rather are bothered by knowledge,
فَاحۡتَمَلَ السَّيۡلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا
but the flood bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface,
of the water that ran down the valleys;
this is the first parable.
Allah said next,
وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيۡهِ فِي النَّارِ ابۡتِغَاء حِلۡيَةٍ أَوۡ مَتَاعٍ
and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils...
This is the second parable, whereas gold and silver ore is heated with fire to make adornments with it, and iron and copper ore are heated to make pots and the like with it. Foam also rises to the surface of these ores, just as in the case with water,
زَبَدٌ مِّثۡلُهُ
rises a foam like unto it,
كَذَلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّهُ الۡحَقَّ وَالۡبَاطِلَ
thus does Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood.
when they both exist, falsehood does not remain, just as foam does not remain with the water or the gold and silver ores which are heated in fire. Rather, foam dissipates and vanishes,
فَأَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذۡهَبُ جُفَاء
Then, as for the foam it passes away as scum upon the banks,
for it carries no benefit and dissipates and scatters on the banks of the valley. The foam also sticks to trees or is dissipated by wind, just as the case with the scum that rises on the surface of gold, silver, iron and copper ores; it all goes away and never returns. However, water, gold and silver remain and are used to man's benefit.
This is why Allah said next,
وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمۡكُثُ فِي الَارۡضِ
كَذَلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّهُ الَامۡثَالَ
while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables.
Allah said in a similar Ayah,
وَتِلۡكَ الاٌّمۡثَالُ نَضۡرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَأ إِلاَّ الۡعَـلِمُونَ
And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge. (29:43)
Some of the Salaf (rightly guided ancestors) said,
""When I would read a parable in the Qur'an that I could not comprehend, I would cry for myself because Allah the Exalted says,
وَمَا يَعۡقِلُهَأ إِلاَّ الۡعَـلِمُونَ
But none will understand them except those who have knowledge."" (29:43)
Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Abdullah bin Abbas commented on Allah's statement,
أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَسَالَتۡ أَوۡدِيَةٌ بِقَدَرِهَا
(He sends down water from the sky, and the valleys flow according to their measure),
""This is a parable that Allah has set;
the hearts carry knowledge from Him, and certainty according to the amount of doubt.
As for doubt, working good deeds does not benefit while it exists.
As for certainty, Allah benefits its people by it, hence Allah's statement,
فَأَمَّا الزَّبَدُ
(Then, as for the foam), which refers to doubt,
فَيَذۡهَبُ جُفَاء
وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمۡكُثُ فِي الَارۡضِ
(it passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind remains in the earth), in reference to certainty.
And just as when jewelry is heated in fire and is rid of its impurity, which remains in the fire, similarly Allah accepts certainty and discards doubt.""
The Qur'an and the Sunnah contain Parables that use Water and Fire
Allah has set two examples in the beginning of Surah Al-Baqarah (Surah 24), about the hypocrites, one using fire and another using water.
Allah said,
مَثَلُهُمۡ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِى اسۡتَوۡقَدَ نَاراً فَلَمَّأ أَضَاءَتۡ مَا حَوۡلَهُ
Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it illuminated all around him. (2:17)
then He said,
أَوۡ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ السَّمَأءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَـتٌ وَرَعۡدٌ وَبَرۡقٌ
Or like a rainstorm in the sky, bringing darkness, thunder, and lightning. (2:19)
Allah also has set two parables for the disbelievers in Surah An-Nur (Surah 24), one of them is,
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواۡ أَعۡمَـلُهُمۡ كَسَرَابٍ
As for those who disbelieved, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. (24:39)
The mirage occurs during intense heat.
It is recorded in the Two Sahihs that the Messenger of Allah said,
فَيُقَالُ لِلۡيَهُودِ يَوۡمَ الۡقِيَامَةِ فَمَا تُرِيدُون
فَيَقُولُونَ أَيۡ رَبَّنَا عَطِشۡنَا فَاسۡقِنَا
فَيُقَالُ أَلَا تَرِدُونَ
فَيَرِدُونَ النَّارَ فَإِذَا هِيَ كَسَرَابٍ يَحۡطِمُ بَعۡضُهَا بَعۡضًا
It will be said to the Jews on the Day of Resurrection, ""What do you desire?""
They will reply, ""We need to drink, for we have become thirsty, O our Lord!""
It will be said, ""Will you then proceed to drink,""
and they will head towards the Fire, which will appear as a mirage, its various parts consuming the other parts.""
Allah said in the second parable (in Surah An-Nur);
أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـتٍ فِى بَحۡرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ
Or is like the darkness in a vast deep sea. (24:40)
In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said that the Messenger of Allah said,
إِنَّ مَثَلَ مَا بَعَثَنِي اللهُ بِهِ مِنَ الۡهُدَى وَالۡعِلۡمِ كَمَثَلِ غَيۡثٍ أَصَابَ أَرۡضًا
The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth,
فَكَانَ مِنۡهَا طَايِفَةٌ قَبِلَتِ الۡمَاءَ فَأَنۡبَتَتِ الۡكَلََ وَالۡعُشۡبَ الۡكَثِيرَ
some of which was fertile soil that absorbed the rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance.
وَكَانَتۡ مِنۡهَا أَجَادِبُ أَمۡسَكَتِ الۡمَاءَ فَنَفَعَ اللهُ بِهَا النَّاسَ فَشَرِبُوا وَرَعَوۡا وَسَقُوا وَزَرَعُوا
And another portion of it was hard, it held the rain water and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, grazing, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation purposes.
وَأَصَابَتۡ طَايِفَةً مِنۡهَا أُخۡرَى إِنَّمَااِهيَ قِيعَانٌ لَاأ تُمۡسِكُ مَاءً وَلَاأ تُنۡبِتُ كَلَأً
And another portion of it fell on barren land, which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation.
فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ مَنۡ فَقُهَ فِي دِينِ اللهِ وَنَفَعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا بَعَثَنِي وَنَفَعَ بِهِ فَعَلِمَ وَعَلَّمَ
The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit, as well as benefiting others (from the knowledge and guidance) which Allah has revealed through me and learns and then teaches others.
وَمَثَلُ مَنۡ لَمۡ يَرۡفَعۡ بِذَلِكَ رَأۡسًا وَلَمۡ يَقۡبَلۡ هُدَى اللهِ الَّذِي أُرۡسِلۡتُ بِه
The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not embrace Allah's guidance revealed through me.
This parable uses water in it.
In another Hadith that Imam Ahmad collected, Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,
مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمۡ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسۡتَوۡقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتۡ مَا حَوۡلَهُ جَعَلَ الۡفَرَاشُ وَهَذِهِ الدَّوَابُّ الَّتِي يَقَعۡنَ فِي النَّارِ يَقَعۡنَ فِيهَا وَجَعَلَ يَحۡجُزُهُنَّ وَيغۡلِبۡنَهُ فَيَقۡتَحِمۡنَ فِيهَا
قَالَ فَذَلِكُمۡ مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُكُمۡ أَنَا اخِذٌ بِحُجَزِكُمۡ عَنِ النَّارِ هَلُمَّ عَنِ النَّارِ فَتَغۡلِبُونِي فَتَقۡتَحِمُونَ فِيهَا
My example and the example of you is like that of a person who lit a fire. When the fire illuminated his surroundings, butterflies and insects started falling into it, as they usually do, and he started swatting at them to prevent them from falling; but they overwhelmed him and kept falling into the fire.
This is the parable of me and you, I am holding you by the waist trying to save you from the Fire, saying, ""Go away from the Fire,"" yet you overwhelm me and fall into it.
The Two Sahihs also collected this Hadith. This is a parable using."
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