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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