Parables of the Quran
Parables the Quran strikes, in the order of the Quran. Each shows its verses, and explains them from as-Sa'di's tafsir in islamweb's library, in our own words.
36 entries
- The one who kindled a fireThe hypocrites borrowed the light of faith; when it went, they were left in darkness.Quran
- The rainstorm in the darkLike travellers caught in a storm, the hypocrites block their ears against the Quran's warnings.Quran
- The gnat, and what is above itAllah is not too shy to strike any parable; believers grow in faith by it, others in doubt.Quran
- The one who calls to cattleThose who reject the call to faith hear only sound, like cattle hearing their herdsman.Quran
- The grain that grows seven earsSpending in Allah's cause is like a grain that grows seven ears, each of a hundred grains.Quran
- The smooth rock and the garden on the hillCharity spoiled by reminders is dust on a bare rock; charity for Allah's pleasure is a garden on high ground.Quran
- The garden burnt in old ageA good deed spoilt afterwards is like an orchard burnt down just when its old owner needs it most.Quran
- The freezing wind on the cropsWhat the disbelievers spend to support falsehood is lost like crops struck by an icy wind.Quran
- The one lured astray by devilsTurning back from guidance leaves one bewildered between friends calling to the right way and devils calling to ruin.Quran
- The panting dogOne given knowledge who clings to the world instead is like a dog that pants whatever you do.Quran
- This world as rain on the plantsThe world blooms like a field after rain, and is gone overnight as if it had never been.Quran
- The blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearingThe wretched and the blessed are as unlike as the blind and deaf are unlike the seeing and hearing.Quran
- The hands stretched out to waterCalling on false gods is like a thirsty man stretching his hands to water that will never reach his mouth.Quran
- The foam and the waterTruth stays like water that benefits people; falsehood is foam that rises for a while and is gone.Quran
- Ashes in the windThe deeds of those who disbelieve vanish like ashes blown away on a stormy day.Quran
- The good word and the good treeA good word is like a good tree, rooted firm with its branches in the sky; a bad word is a tree torn up.Quran
- The owned slave and the generous free manA slave who owns nothing is not equal to a free man who spends freely: how then can a creature be equal to the Creator?Quran
- The two men, one dumbA helpless man who brings no good is not equal to one who commands justice on a straight path.Quran
- The woman who unravelled her yarnBreaking an oath after making it firm is like spinning yarn strongly and then tearing it apart.Quran
- The town that was secureA town given security and plenty that denied Allah's favours was made to taste hunger and fear.Quran
- The two men and their gardensA man proud of his gardens denied the Hereafter; his believing companion warned him, and the gardens were ruined.Quran
- This world as plants the wind scattersThe world flourishes like plants after rain, then turns to dry stalks the wind blows away.Quran
- The flyAll that is called on besides Allah could not create a fly, nor take back what a fly snatches from them.Quran
- The niche of lightAllah's light in the believer's heart is like a lamp in a niche, lit from a blessed olive tree.Quran
- The mirage and the darkness of the deep seaThe deeds of those who disbelieve are a mirage to the thirsty, or layers of darkness at sea.Quran
- The spider's houseThose who take protectors besides Allah are like a spider that builds a house: the frailest of houses.Quran
- Partners from among yourselvesYou would not accept your own servants as equal partners in your wealth; how then do you give Allah partners from His creation?Quran
- The people of the townA town that rejected the messengers sent to it, held up as a lesson for those who reject the Prophet ﷺ.Quran
- The man with quarrelling ownersA servant torn between quarrelling owners is not like one who belongs wholly to one master: so are the one who associates partners and the one who worships Allah alone.Quran
- The seed and its shootThe Prophet ﷺ and his Companions are like a crop that puts out its shoots and grows strong, delighting the sowers.Quran
- The rain whose plants please the farmersThis world is play and rivalry, like plants after rain that turn yellow and crumble; what lasts is work for the hereafter.Quran
- Like Satan when he says, disbelieveSatan urges a person to disbelieve, then disowns him when he does; both end in the Fire.Quran
- The Quran on a mountainWere the Quran sent down on a mountain, it would humble itself and split from awe of Allah: how much more should hearts?Quran
- The donkey carrying booksThose given the Torah who did not act on it are like a donkey carrying books: knowledge not acted on is a burden.Quran
- The wives of Nuh and LutBeing married to a prophet did not save two wives who did not share his faith.Quran
- The wife of Pharaoh, and MaryamA believing woman married to a tyrant was not harmed by him: she asked her Lord for a house near Him in the Garden.Quran