The Qur’an employs numerous parables (amthal) to convey profound moral and spiritual lessons. Scholars have identified such parables within its text. Below is a collection of these parables, along with their corresponding verses:
1. Parable of the Mosquito:
Allah is not ashamed to present the example of a mosquito or something even smaller. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:26)
2. Parable of the Dog:
The example of those who reject our signs is like that of a dog. (Surah Al-A’raf 7:176)
3. Parable of the Spider’s Web:
The example of those who take protectors other than Allah is like that of the spider who builds a house. (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:41)
4. Parable of the Donkey Carrying Books:
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah but did not take it on is like that of a donkey carrying volumes. (Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:5)
5. Parable of the Slave and the Free Man:
Allah presents an example of a slave owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man. (Surah Az-Zumar 39:29)
6. Parable of the Two Gardens:
Present to them the example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines. (Surah Al-Kahf 18:32)
7. Parable of the Dead Land:
And the dead land is a sign for them; we gave it life and brought forth from it grain. (Surah Ya-Sin 36:33)
8. Parable of the Good Tree and the Bad Tree:
A good word is like a good tree… and the example of a bad word is like a bad tree. (Surah Ibrahim 14:24-26)
9. Parable of the Rain:
He sends down from the sky, rain, and valleys flow according to their capacity. (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:17)
10. Parable of the Light:
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp. (Surah An-Nur 24:35)
11. Parable of the Garden on a Height:
Would any of you wish to have a garden with date-palms and vines… then it is struck by a fiery whirlwind. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:266)
12. Parable of the Towns:
And Allah presents an example of a city which was safe and secure; its provision coming to it in abundance from every location. (Surah An-Nahl 16:112)
13. Parable of the Believer and the Disbeliever:
The example of the two parties is like the blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearing. (Surah Hud 11:24)
14. Parable of the Housefly:
O people, an example is presented, so listen to it. Indeed, those you invoke besides Allah will never create as much as a fly. (Surah Al-Hajj 22:73)
15. Parable of the Fire:
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:17)
16. Parable of the Rainstorm:
Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder, and lightning. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:19)
17. Parable of the Slave and the Master:
Allah presents an example: a slave owned and unable to do a thing and he to whom we have provided from us good provision. (Surah An-Nahl 16:75)
18. Parable of the Deaf and Mute: And Allah presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing. (Surah An-Nahl 16:76)
19. Parable of the Man Who Kindled a Fire:
Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:17)
20. Parable of the Garden with Flowing Rivers:
The example of [this] worldly life is but like rain which we have sent down from the sky that the plants of the earth absorb. (Surah Yunus 10:24)
21. Parable of the Blind and Seeing:
Not equal are the blind and the seeing, nor are those who believe and do righteous deeds and the evildoer. (Surah Ghafir 40:58)
22. Parable of the Dead and the Living:
Nor are the living and the dead equal. Indeed, Allah causes to hear whom He wills. (Surah Fatir 35:22)
23. Parable of the One Who Passes by a Township:
Or [consider such an example] as the one who passed by a township which had fallen into ruin. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:259)
24. Parable of the Cupbearer and the Baker:
And there entered the prison with him two young men. (Surah Yusuf 12:36)
25. Parable of the Rich Man and the Poor Man:
And present to them an example of two men. (Surah Al-Kahf 18:32)
26. Parable of the Goodly Word and the Evil Word:
Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree. (Surah Ibrahim 14:24)
27. Parable of the Life of this world
The life of this world is like play and amusement (Surah Al-Hadid 57:20)
28. Parable of the Worldly Life as Rain:
The Qur’an compares the transient nature of worldly life to rain that brings forth vegetation, which eventually dries up and scatters. (Surah Al-Kahf 18:45)
29. Parable of the Fly:
Those who invoke others besides Allah are likened to someone trying to retrieve something taken by a fly, illustrating the futility of their actions. (Surah Al-Hajj 22:73)
30. Parable of the Slave Owned by Quarreling Partners:
A man owned by disputing partners is compared to one owned by a single master, highlighting the confusion versus peace in servitude. (Surah Az-Zumar 39:29)
31. Parable of the Blind and Seeing:
The blind and the seeing are used as metaphors for those who do not believe and those who do, respectively. (Surah Hud 11:24)
32. Parable of the Deaf and Mute:
A person who is deaf and mute is compared to one who commands justice, illustrating the difference between disbelief and faith. (Surah An-Nahl 16:76)
33. Parable of the Living and the Dead:
The living and the dead are used to symbolize believers and disbelievers. (Surah Fatir 35:22)
34. Parable of the Goodly Word and the Evil Word:
A good word is likened to a good tree with firm roots and branches reaching the sky, while an evil word is compared to a bad tree uprooted from the surface of the earth. (Surah Ibrahim 14:24-26)
35. Parable of the Garden on a Height:
A garden on a height that receives abundant rain is compared to those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:265)
36. Parable of the One Who Kindled a Fire:
Those who reject faith are likened to someone who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated their surroundings, Allah took away their light, leaving them in darkness. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:17)
37. Parable of the Rainstorm:
The state of those who reject faith is compared to a rainstorm with darkness, thunder, and lightning, illustrating their fear and confusion. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:19)
38. Parable of the Spider’s Web:
Those who take protectors other than Allah are likened to a spider that builds a fragile house. (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:41)
39. Parable of Charity and Good Deeds:
A Bad charity is like a stone covered with dust washed away by rain (Surah Al- Baqarah 2: 264)
40. Parable of the Donkey Carrying Books:
Those who were entrusted with the Torah but did not apply it are likened to a donkey carrying books. (Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:5)
41. Parable on Misguidance:
A hypocrite is like a rock with a thin layer of soil that washes away in rain – (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:264)
42. Parable on Misguidance:
A person who follows their desires is like a dog that pants continuously – (Surah Al-A’raf 7:176)
43. Parable on Misguidance
A person who accepts guidance is like one who sees clear water, while a disbeliever is like one in mirages – (Surah An-Nur 24:39)
44. Parable of Human Actions and Their Consequences
The stingy person is like one who holds his hand tightly closed – (Surah Al-Isra 17:29)
45. Parable of Human Actions and Their Consequences
A person who trusts in Allah is like one who holds a firm handhold that never breaks – (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)
46. Parable of Divine Power and Creation
A person relying on others instead of Allah is like a weak person leaning on a broken staff – (Surah Al-Ankabut 29:41)
47. Parable of Patience and Righteousness
A true believer’s heart is like a fertile land that produces crops – (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261)
48. Parable of Charity and Good Deeds
A person with knowledge but no action is like a donkey carrying books – (Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:5)
49. Parable of life of this world:
Worldly wealth is like a garden destroyed overnight (Surah Al -Qalam 68:17-33)
50. Parables of the Life of This World
The life of this world is like fleeting enjoyment (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:26)
These parables serve to illustrate various moral and spiritual lessons, guiding believers towards reflection and understanding.
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