Similes in the Quran: Simile 1: Al Jumua 62:5

Monday, March 5, 2007

Simile 1: Al Jumua 62:5

Mathalu allatheena hummiloo alttawrata thumma lam yahmilooha kamathali alhimari yahmilu asfaran bisa mathalu alqawmi allatheena kaththaboo biayati Allahi waAllahu la yahdee alqawma alththalimeena

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

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Awaken your Soul ... .. . ponder upon the Similes in the Quran

Simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by like or as.

The Qur'an also employs similes (amthal, sg. mathal) in many places to explain certain truths or to drive home important points of the message, by likening it to something well known or describing it in a pictorial manner.

An example of a simile from hadith can be:

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
Some angels came to the Prophet(saws) while he was sleeping. Some of them said, "He is sleeping." Others said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." Then they said, "There is an example for this companion of yours." One of them said, "Then set forth an example for him." Some of them said, "He is sleeping." The others said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." Then they said, "His example is that of a man who has built a house and then offered therein a banquet and sent an inviter (messenger) to invite the people. So whoever accepted the invitation of the inviter, entered the house and ate of the banquet, and whoever did not accept the invitation of the inviter, did not enter the house, nor did he eat of the banquet." Then the angels said, "Interpret this example to him so that he may understand it." Some of them said, "He is sleeping.'' The others said, "His eyes are sleeping but his heart is awake." And then they said, "The houses stands for Paradise and the call maker is Muhammad(saws); and whoever obeys Muhammad(saws), obeys Allah; and whoever disobeys Muhammad(saws), disobeys Allah. Muhammad(saws) separated the people (i.e., through his message, the good is distinguished from the bad, and the believers from the disbelievers)."
(Bukhari)

My observation is that most people usually read the similes present in the Quran and don’t bother to stop and ponder upon them. Whereas, those similes contain wealth of guidance for people who ponder upon them and make efforts to learn useful lessons. Some similes especially relate to the stages and phases of struggle towards the establishment of Deen, some relate to further understanding the sunnah of Allah(swt) and His attributes, some relate to consequences of certain types of attitudes and actions, etc.

Similes in the Quran have a unique way of instilling the meanings not only in our minds but hearts and souls, thereby allow us (by Allah’s permission) to be among those who believe and understand these similes as Allah has described in this ayah: “Indeed, Allah is not timid to present an example—that of a mosquito or smaller than it. As for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, “What did Allah intend by this as an example?” He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And he misleads not except the defiantly disobedient.” (2:26)

So, I request my visitors to ponder upon the Similes in the Quran listed on this blog and share your knowledge, thoughts and observations on those similes by leaving comments.

Jazakallahu Khairan Kaseeran and may Allah(swt) open our hearts to correct understanding of these similes. Ameen.

Similes in the Quran

Monday, March 5, 2007

Simile 1: Al Jumua 62:5

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Awaken your Soul ... .. . ponder upon the Similes in the Quran

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