The Holy Quran 13:17 — Surah Ar-Ra'd

Arabic text

أَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتْ أَوْدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَٱحْتَمَلَ ٱلسَّيْلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا ۚ وَمِمَّا يُوقِدُونَ عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلنَّارِ ٱبْتِغَآءَ حِلْيَةٍ أَوْ مَتَـٰعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثْلُهُۥ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحَقَّ وَٱلْبَـٰطِلَ ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلزَّبَدُ فَيَذْهَبُ جُفَآءً ۖ وَأَمَّا مَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ فَيَمْكُثُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ

Translation

Allaah sends down rain from the sky causing the valleys to flow according to their capacity and (causing) the flowing waters to carry debris (foam and dirt) that floats on its surface. And from that (precious metals) which you cast into fire (for purification) seeking adornments (jewellery) and other items of worth, comes similar debris (impurities). Thus does Allaah cite examples of the truth (the water and purified metals) and falsehood (the debris). As for the debris (falsehood), it disappears in vain. As for the things that benefit man (the truth, as symbolised by the water and precious metal), they remain on the earth. In this manner Allaah cites examples. (Although falsehood seems to prevail over the truth at times like the debris stays above the water and precious metal, it soon disappears. However, the truth lasts forever.)

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The example of truth and falsehood: rain came down from the sky, and streams and watercourses began to flow. In each watercourse Allah set flowing as much water as He willed, according to its capacity and room: less in the small one, more in the large. When the water ran over the ground it became muddy from mixing with earth and refuse.

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