Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · Ar-Ra'd 13:17

The foam and the water

مثل الزبد والماء

Truth stays like water that benefits people; falsehood is foam that rises for a while and is gone.

Quran

What it means

Allah sends down water and the valleys flow, each to its measure, and the torrent carries a rising foam; and from metal heated in the fire for ornaments or tools there is foam like it. The foam passes away, and what benefits people remains in the earth (13:17).

As-Sa'di explains that the guidance revealed to the Prophet ﷺ gives life to hearts as rain gives life to bodies; hearts hold it as valleys hold water, the large much and the small little. The doubts and desires stirred up when truth reaches the heart are the foam: the heart strives against them with proof and resolve until they fade, and it is left pure, holding only what benefits.

Evidence

QuranAr-Ra'd (The Thunder)Quran 13:17

أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا ۚ وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَـٰعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَـٰطِلَ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ ١٧

He sends down from the sky, rain, and valleys flow according to their capacity, and the torrent carries a rising foam. And from that [ore] which they heat in the fire, desiring adornments and utensils, is a foam like it. Thus Allāh presents [the example of] truth and falsehood. As for the foam, it vanishes, [being] cast off; but as for that which benefits the people, it remains on the earth. Thus does Allāh present examples.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

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 Allâh (by parables) show forth truth and falsehood[3]. 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 Allâh sets forth parables (for the truth and falsehood, i.e. Belief and disbelief).

[3] (V.13:17) See the footnote (A) of (V.9:119).

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