as a third, it is comparable to the mating of a male animal, from which offspring is produced. This is why they classify syllogistic forms as productive or sterile, just as a male animal’s mating with a female may be productive or sterile. Each of the two kinds of drawing a likeness—which is inference—sometimes serves to illustrate a meaning and make it understood, and sometimes serves to demonstrate its truth and establish assent to it. Thus, there is inference that conveys a conception and inference that establishes assent. Reflect on this. Often both are intended, for drawing a likeness clarifies both the intended conception and the judgment concerning it.

Drawing likenesses to convey meanings takes two forms, corresponding to the two forms of inference:

The first consists of particular likenesses, in which a derivative case is compared with a specific original case, whether actual or hypothetical. There are forty-odd such likenesses in the Quran, as in His words:

“Their likeness is that of someone who kindled a fire,”

and so on; and His words:

“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain that grows seven ears, in each ear a hundred grains.”

And His words:

“O you who believe, do not nullify your charities with reminders of your generosity and hurtful words, like someone who spends his wealth to be seen by people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His likeness is that of a smooth rock covered with dust,”

and the rest of the verse;

“And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure, with firm conviction in their hearts, is that of a garden on high ground: heavy rain falls upon it, and it yields twice its produce.”

For the comparison between those He describes—the hypocrites and those who spend, both the sincere among them and those who show off—and the likenesses He, glorified be He, sets forth