17. He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and the
valleys flow according to their measure, but the flood bears away the foam that
mounts up to the surface, and (also) from that (ore) which they heat in the
fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, rises a foam like unto it, thus does
Allah (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood . Then, as for the foam it
passes away as scum upon the banks, while that which is for the good of mankind
remains in the earth. Thus Allah sets forth parables (for the truth and
falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).
[Surah ar-Ra’ad
13:17]
Al-‘Allaamah Taahir bin ‘Aashoor [May Allaah have Mercy on
him] said in his Tafseer:
Continuing on from affirmation of Allaah’s Lordship (in the
Aayaat that proceeded this one), here we have a rebuke on the Mushriks, that
they don’t benefit from the guidance because of the characteristics they
possess. As a result, their hearts are sealed, unlike the believers, their
hearts are penetrated with the Quraan.
The reproach in this Aayah comes with an example being
drawn, a comparison between the two parties. A party profiting from what the
Quraan contains in contrast to the other being severely disadvantaged by it.
This parable is brought in a context which acts as a direct
comparison between these two states, thus it is acts as an admonition and a
reminder for the purpose:
“Allah
sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).”
The resemblance of
the Quraan being revealed and sent down being similar to rain being sent down
from the clouds is a comparison to that which brings about life. The Quraan is
heard by people whilst the rain transcends the valleys and the various
directions on the earth, everyone from the creation benefiting from the water
that brings about nourishment. However, the rain is sent with goodness but it
also produces froth that appears on top of water that has settled. So the
comparison being drawn here is from that which benefits and that which comes
and goes without any real cause. The pure water settles and continues to be a
source of goodness for the creation, whereas the foam on top of the water,
comes and goes, is unsettled and doesn’t bring any benefit.
In the same context, the revelation of the Aayaat of the
Quraan is also drawn here. The Quraan benefits and nourishes the Eemaan that is
present in the hearts and it instills strength in their faith and their deeds.
However, just like water that doesn’t settle, the rain water
can also pass people without the people benefitting from the water that the
rain has brought. Likewise, the Aayaat of the Quraan can be recited to people
and they pass these people just like this rain water, not settling and not
benefitting them in the slightest. Either rejecting it or being negligent in
understanding it. To a worse extent, the Aayaat of the Quraan could enter the
hearts of a group of people and it only increases them in doubts and rejection.
Just like Allaah, the Most High says:
“So as for
those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that
which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials, etc.), and seeking for its
hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah” [Aal-‘Imraan
3:7]
The simile of all of this is that the rain descends and it
spreads throughout the land, through the valleys, on the hilltops, passing
through the mountains etc. with each of these places differing in the degree of
water they receive. Furthermore, the water by itself, separates itself from
what is beneficial and what is not; what is beneficial seeps into the earth and
is a source of nourishment whereas the foam and froth from the water is left
aside as it has no benefit.
Once one understands this parable they will also come to
realise that this process and its description has stages, the water descends
and then it spreads, then it settles etc. The benefit behind this is that the
person who understands this will also understand that this process (and what is
similar to it given in the parable) requires stages (i.e. one must seek to
improve in Eemaan and understanding).
This simile has also been given by the Prophet [Peace and
Blessings of Allaah be Upon him] in Tafseer of this Aayah where he said in the
Hadeeth:
The likening of what Allaah has sent me with from guidance
and knowledge is like the rain that pours down on the land. Some of the rain is
pure and the earth accepts it and as a result the earth produces much
vegetation. The water settles on the earth and Allaah Causes it to be
beneficial for the people so that they may drink and use it for
agriculture.
The rain also pours down on another piece of land. The water
doesn’t soak into the land nor does it produce any vegetation.
The first one is like the example of those who are given
understanding of the religion, Allaah Causes them to benefit with what I was
sent with, so they learn it and teach it.
As for the second parable then this is for a group of people
who don’t want to understand the religion and don’t practice it. They don’t
accept the Guidance of Allaah with what I have been sent with.
…
In this example there is an illustration for those who
benefit themselves and others, just like gold and silver that comes from earth.
In contrast to foam that the water brings, it is dirty and doesn’t have any
good in it and doesn’t bring about any goodness.
[A summary taken from at-Tahreer
wa at-Tanweer (14/116-120)]
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