Some say it is the subject of a nominal sentence whose predicate is omitted, meaning: “Light rain suffices it.” Others say it is the predicate of an omitted subject, meaning: “What waters it and falls upon it is light rain.” The pronoun in “falls upon it” may refer either to the garden or to the high ground; the two are inseparable.

[Surah al-Baqarah (2): verse 266]

“Would any of you wish to have a garden of palm trees and grapevines, with rivers flowing beneath it and all kinds of fruit for him therein, then be overtaken by old age while his children are still weak, only for a fiery whirlwind to strike the garden and burn it up? Thus Allah makes His signs clear to you, so that you may reflect.” (266)

Al-Hasan said: “This is a parable which, by Allah, few people understand: an old man whose body has grown weak and whose young children are many, at his time of greatest need for his garden. By Allah, each of you is most in need of his deeds when his worldly life comes to an end.”

In Sahīh al-Bukhārī, ‘Ubayd ibn ‘Umayr reported that one day ‘Umar asked the Prophet’s Companions what they thought this verse had been revealed about: “Would any of you wish to have a garden of palm trees…” They replied, “Allah knows best.” ‘Umar became angry and said, “Say either, ‘We know,’ or, ‘We do not know.’” Ibn ‘Abbās said, “I have a thought about it, Commander of the Faithful.” ‘Umar replied, “Speak, my nephew, and do not belittle yourself.” Ibn ‘Abbās said, “It was given as a parable of deeds.” ‘Umar asked, “What deeds?” Ibn ‘Abbās replied, “The deeds of a man who acted in obedience to Allah; then Allah sent Satan to him, and he committed sins until he burned up his deeds.”

Allah’s words, “Would any of you wish,” take the form of a question expressing disapproval. This is more forceful than outright negation or prohibition, yet subtler in its effect. It is like seeing someone do something reprehensible and saying to him, “No sensible person would do this. Would anyone who fears Allah and the Hereafter do this?”

Allah says, “Would any of you wish,” using the singular because it conveys a general disapproval, as when you say, “Would anyone with any good in him do this?” This expresses disapproval more forcefully than saying, “Would they wish?” Likewise, “Would any of you wish” expresses disapproval more forcefully than “Would any of you want,” because loving and wishing for the condition described is more reprehensible and objectionable than merely wanting it.