The benefit of the parables in the Qur’aan

 

We see many parables coined in the Qur’aan. What is the benefit of these parables?

Praise
be to Allaah.  

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]”