flat expanses that retain no water and therefore grow no grass. Such is the likeness of one who gains understanding of Allah’s religion and whom Allah benefits through the guidance and knowledge with which He has sent me, and of one who pays no heed to it and does not accept Allah’s guidance with which I have been sent.”

This is one of the two parables. The “other parable” concerns metals—gold, silver, iron and the like—which are heated to make ornaments and utensils. Allah tells us that the torrent carries swelling foam, and that what people heat in the fire produces similar foam. Then He says:

“Thus Allah illustrates truth and falsehood. As for the foam”—

that which rises upon the water and the metal being heated—it corresponds to the doubts and misgivings concerning matters of belief, and the corrupt desires, that arise in believers’ hearts, as the Companions complained to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Allah Most High says:

“It is cast away.”

The heart rejects it and casts it out, just as water casts off and rejects foam.

“But that which benefits people remains in the earth.”

This is like the certainty and faith that remain firmly established in people’s hearts. As Allah Most High says:

“A parable: a good word is like a good tree,”

and the rest of the passage, up to His words:

“Allah keeps those who believe firm with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah lets the wrongdoers go astray, and Allah does what He wills.”

Whenever thoughts of disbelief or hypocrisy arise in a believer’s heart and he hates them and casts them away, he grows in faith and certainty. Likewise, whenever someone feels prompted to commit a sin, but hates it, banishes it from himself and abandons it for Allah’s sake, he grows in righteousness, goodness and piety.