Tafheem ul Quran
Surah 13 Ar-Ra'd, Ayat 17-17
اَنۡزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَسَالَتۡ اَوۡدِيَةٌۢ بِقَدَرِهَا فَاحۡتَمَلَ السَّيۡلُ زَبَدًا رَّابِيًا ؕ وَمِمَّا يُوۡقِدُوۡنَ عَلَيۡهِ فِى النَّارِ ابۡتِغَآءَ حِلۡيَةٍ اَوۡ مَتَاعٍ زَبَدٌ مِّثۡلُهٗ ؕ كَذٰلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّٰهُ الۡحَـقَّ وَالۡبَاطِلَ ؕ فَاَمَّا الزَّبَدُ فَيَذۡهَبُ جُفَآءً ۚ وَاَمَّا مَا يَنۡفَعُ النَّاسَ فَيَمۡكُثُ فِى الۡاَرۡضِؕ كَذٰلِكَ يَضۡرِبُ اللّٰهُ الۡاَمۡثَالَؕ
﴿13:17﴾
(13:17) Allah sends down water from the heavens and the river-beds flow,
each according to its measure, and the torrent carries along a swelling scum.31
In like manner, from that metal which they smelt in the fire to make ornaments
and utensils,32 there arises scum like it. Thus does Allah depict
truth and falsehood. As for the scum, it passes away as dross; but that which
benefits mankind abides on the earth. Thus does Allah explain (the truth) through
examples.
Notes
31. In this simile the knowledge which had been sent down by Allah to the
Prophet (peace be upon him) has been likened to the rain from the sky, and the
believers to the streams, rivulets and rivers. Just as the streams etc. fill
themselves with rain water, each according to its capacity, so his followers
gained knowledge from him, each according to his ability. On the other hand,
the hue and cry that was raised by the opponents of the Islamic movement has
been likened to the swelling foam etc. that begins to dance about on the surface
of flood water, but soon vanishes away.
32. As it is but natural that scum should appear on the surface when ornaments
are heated in the furnace for purification, likewise bad people would come to
the surface and take prominent part in persecuting the good people who are passed
through the furnace of persecution for their purification.