Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · Az-Zumar 39:29

The man with quarrelling owners

مثل الرجل فيه شركاء متشاكسون

A 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

What it means

Allah strikes a parable: a man owned by several partners at odds with one another, and a man belonging wholly to one man. Are they alike (39:29)?

As-Sa'di explains that it is a parable of association and pure monotheism. The first man's owners each want something different, so he never finds rest; the second knows what his master wants and is at ease. So the one who associates partners calls on this one and then that one and his heart never settles, while the one who worships Allah alone is in complete rest and tranquillity.

Evidence

QuranAz-Zumar (The Groups)Quran 39:29

ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَـٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ۚ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٢٩

Allāh presents an example: a man [i.e., slave] owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man - are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allāh! But most of them do not know.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

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

29. Allâh puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with Allâh) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master (like those who worship Allâh Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allâh! But most of them know not.

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