knowledge who have followers a degree of envy not found among those without followers. The same applies to those who have followers because they spend their wealth. The former benefit people by nourishing their hearts, and the latter by nourishing their bodies. Everyone needs what sustains both.

For this reason, Allah, glorified is He, sets forth “two parables,” one concerning each of these. He says:

“Allah presents a parable: a slave owned by another, unable to do anything, and someone whom We have granted good provision from Us, who spends from it secretly and openly. Are they equal? All praise belongs to Allah, but most of them do not know.”

“And Allah presents a parable of two men: one is mute, unable to do anything, and a burden to his master; wherever he sends him, he brings back no good. Is he equal to someone who commands justice and follows a straight path?”

And (Allah, glorified is He, sets forth these two parables concerning His own holy Self and what is worshipped besides Him. Idols are incapable of either beneficial action or beneficial speech. Suppose there is a slave owned by another, unable to do anything, and another person whom Allah has granted good provision, who spends from it secretly and openly. Is this slave, incapable of doing good, equal to the person who can do good and does so for people, secretly and openly? He, glorified is He, is able to bestow goodness upon His servants and constantly does so. How, then, can a powerless, owned slave, unable to do anything, be likened to Him and thus made a partner with Him in worship? This is the likeness of the person whom Allah has granted wealth and who spends from it by night and day.