Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · An-Nahl 16:76

The two men, one dumb

مثل الرجلين أحدهما أبكم

A helpless man who brings no good is not equal to one who commands justice on a straight path.

Quran

What it means

Two men: one dumb, with power over nothing, a burden on his master, bringing no good wherever he is sent; is he equal to one who commands justice and is on a straight path (16:76)?

As-Sa'di explains that the first cannot even serve himself and is lacking in every way, while the second is just in word and upright in deed. As they are not equal, what is worshipped besides Allah, which can do nothing for itself, is not equal to Allah, whose words are justice and whose acts are wise.

Evidence

QuranAn-Nahl (The Bee)Quran 16:76

وَضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَىٰهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِٱلْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ٧٦

And Allāh presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path?

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

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

76. And Allâh puts forward (another) example of two men, one of them dumb, who has no power over anything (disbeliever), and he is a burden on his master; whichever way he directs him, he brings no good. Is such a man equal to one (believer in the Islâmic Monotheism) who commands justice, and is himself on the Straight Path?

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