Page 193 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance

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The benefits gained from the use of the mathal in the Qur’aan are
numerous. 25 Intangible concepts are presented in a tangible format in order for
them to be more easily grasped and retained. Concepts which may be quite
difficult to grasp on a theoretical basis become quickly and easily comprehensible
when put in the terms of everyday human experiences or processes in nature. For
example, the idea that one who gives money for show gains no reward is tangibly
brought across by the following simile:

¼çmŸ2uŽtIsù ×@Î/#ur ¼çmt/$|¹r'sù Ò>#tè? Ïmø‹n=tã Ab#uqøÿ|¹ È@sVyJx. ¼ã&é#sVyJsù )

( (#qç7|¡Ÿ2 $£JÏiB &äóÓx« 4’n?t㠚crâ‘ωø)tƒ ( žw #V$ù#|¹

“They are like a rock covered with some earth which is struck by a
rainstorm, leaving it bare. They are unable to do anything with (the
26
wealth) they have earned.”

Sometimes the mathal is used to encourage people to do certain righteous
acts by comparing them to something which is appealing to human nature. An
example of this function may be found in the verse:

ôMtFu;/Rr& >p¬6ym È@sVyJx. «!$# È@‹Î6y™ ’Îû óOßgs9ºuqøBr& tbqà)ÏÿZムtûïÏ%©!$# ã@sW¨B )

( âä!$t±o„ `yJÏ9 ß#Ï軟Òムª!$#ur 3 7p¬6ym èps($ÏiB 7's#ç7/Yߙ Èe@ä. ’Îû Ÿ@Î/$uZy™ yìö7y™

25
See Mabaahith fee ‘Uloom al-Qur’aan, pp. 297-9.
26
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):264.

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