The benefit of the parables in the Qur’aan

Praise be to Allah.

Shaykh al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in his commentary on the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And indeed We have put forth every kind of example in this Qur’aan, for mankind. But, man is ever more quarrelsome than anything” [al-Kahf 18:54] 

In this and similar parables in the Qur’aan there are great lessons and rebukes which make the truth clear, but no one can understand their meaning except people who have knowledge, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And these similitudes We put forward for mankind; but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allaah and His Signs)” [al-‘Ankaboot 29:43] 

Part of the wisdom behind putting forth these parables is to make people think, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):                                                                                                  

“Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect” [al-Hashr 59:21] 

Elsewhere Allaah explains that by means of these parables and their explanation of the truth, Allaah guides some people and sends others astray, as He says in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, Allaah is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And 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 Allaah intend by this parable?’ By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Faasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah” [al-Baqarah 2:26] 

Undoubtedly those who respond to their Lord are those who are wise and who ponder the meaning of the parables and they benefit from the explanation of the truth contained therein; those who do not respond to Him are those who do not ponder their meanings, and they do not understand the truths that are explained to them. 

The first group are those of whom Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“and many He guides thereby” [al-Baqarah 2:26] 

The second group are those of whom He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“By it He misleads many” [al-Baqarah 2:26] 

And He says of them (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Faasiqoon (the rebellious, disobedient to Allaah” [al-Baqarah 2:26]”