Parable :

BENEFIT OF
HUMANKIND
[Quran 13:17 ]

Presented by
HAJI MOHAMAD HANIM MOHAMAD ISA
 ‫ت أَ ْو ِد َي ٌة ِب َق َد ِر َها َفاحْ َت َم َل ال َّس ْي ُل َز َب ًدا َر ِابيًا ۚ َو ِممَّا‬
ْ ‫أَ ْن َز َل م َِن ال َّس َما ِء َما ًء َف َسا َل‬
َّ ُ‫ك َيضْ ِرب‬
‫َّللاُ ْال َح َّق‬ َ ِ‫اع َز َب ٌد م ِْثلُ ُه ۚ َك َ ٰذل‬ َ ْ
ٍ ‫ار ا ْب ِت َغا َء حِل َي ٍة أ ْو َم َت‬ ِ ‫ون َعلَ ْي ِه فِي ال َّن‬
َ ‫يُو ِق ُد‬
ۚ‫ض‬ ِ ْ‫ث فِي ْاْلَر‬ ُ ‫اس َف َي ْم ُك‬ َ ‫الز َب ُد َف َي ْذ َهبُ ُج َفا ًء ۚ َوأَمَّا َما َي ْن َف ُع ال َّن‬ َّ ‫َو ْالبَاطِ َل ۚ َفأَمَّا‬
‫َّللاُ ْاْلَ ْم َثا َل‬
َّ ُ‫ك َيضْ ِرب‬ َ ِ‫َك َ ٰذل‬
Anzala minas-samaawaa’i maaa’an fasaa-lat’awdi-yatum-bi-qada-rihaa fah-tamalas-
saylu zabadar-raabi-yaa. Wa mimmaa youqi-douna’alayhi fin-naarib-tigaaa’a hil-yatin
aw mataa’in zabadum-misluh. Kazaalika yazribuLLaahul-Haqqa wal-Baatil. Fa’ammaz-
zabadu fa-yaz-habu jufaaa’aa. Wa’ammaa maa yanfa’un-naasa fa-yam-kusu fil’ard.
Kazaalika yazribuLLaahul’amsaal.
He send down water from the sky, so that valleys flow
according to their measure, and the flood bear (on its
surface) swelling foam from that which they felt in the fire in
order to make ornaments and tools rise a foam like unto it
thus Allah coin (the similitude of) the true and: the false.
Then, as for the foam, it pass away as scum upon the banks,
while, as for that which is of use to mankind, it remain in the
earth. Thus Allah coin the similitude.
[Quran 13:17]
This parables is another beautiful
example of how natural phenomenon is
used by the Quran to explain complex
moral principles; in this case the
difference between good and evil and
how the truth endures.
Good things done for the benefit of
humankind continue like the beneficial
rivers, streams and metal and bad
things are temporary and eventually
fade away like the froth or dross.

This is the moral principle presented in

this parable, with an objective to
promote a healthy social spirit.
This principle is universal and we can
observe it in different spheres of
human endeavor.

It explains why some efforts are

sustainable while others are
obliterated, for example, political
expediency, speculation, manipulation,
cheating and usurious exploitation are
transient.
On the other hand, constitutions based
on consensus and general welfare,
honest business practices and
endeavors which promote equity and
justice flourish.
The history of civilizations is cumulative
and evolutionary because while the
"foam on top of a torrent disappears,
that which is beneficial to mankind
[alluvium] settles down upon the earth".
This means that while the negative side
of men's conduct departs, the
constructive side does leave a positive
legacy for mankind.
The Qur’aan has presented this principle
in many other verses. In the parable of
goodly word is like a goodly tree, the
Qur’aan tells us that if we believe in
goodly words and do good deeds in its
guidance, our deeds will endure and give
benefits to everyone like the fruits of a
firmly established tree.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali writes in his
commentary:

In the physical world the water is pure

and beneficial. But the froth and scum
will gather according to local conditions.
As the flood will carry off the scum and
purify the water, so will the flood of
Allah's spiritual mercy carry away our
spiritual scum and purify the water. The
froth may make a greater show on the
surface, but it will not last. So will there
be frothy knowledge which will
disappear, but Allah's Truth will endure.
 Moral of the parable
All the mercy, knowledge and wisdom is from Allah and
is distributed according to a measure. Good efforts for
the benefit of humankind flourish and evil is
obliterated. We must weigh our social actions by this
criteria. Corruption has a short life and gives no long
term benefit and good deeds are enduring and
beneficial for all.

Thank you