His words:

“And Allah sets forth parables for people.”

“As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage”—the two parables: that of the believers’ light in the mosques, and that of those others in darkness.

“They never bring you an argument without Our bringing you the truth and the best explanation.” Here, “explanation” encompasses both forming a clear conception and establishing the truth through evidence, as in explaining the words being expounded.

“The example of those who take protectors besides Allah”—the verse.

“These parables We set forth for people.”

“And it is easier for Him, and to Him belong the highest attributes in the heavens and the earth.”

“He sets forth for you a parable drawn from yourselves.”

“We have indeed presented people with every kind of example in this Quran. Yet if you bring them a sign”—the verse.

“Set forth for them the example of the people of the town.”

“Then behold, he is an open disputant!”

“He draws a comparison for Us, forgetting his own creation.”

And His words:

“This is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes.”

“We have indeed presented people with every kind of example in this Quran”—up to His words: “Allah sets forth a parable of a man.”

“When the son of Mary was cited as an example”—to the end. This was when they adduced him as a counterexample to His words: “Indeed, you and what you worship besides Allah.” It was they who cited him merely for argument’s sake.

“Those who disbelieve and obstruct”—up to His words: “Thus Allah sets forth for people their examples.”

“Like those who came shortly before them.”

“Like Satan when he says to man, ‘Disbelieve.’”

“Had We sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and split apart out of fear of Allah. Such are the parables.”

“The example of those entrusted with the Torah who then failed to uphold it”—the verse.

“Allah sets forth an example for those who disbelieve”—and for those who believe.

“And so that those in whose hearts is disease, and the disbelievers, may say, ‘What does Allah intend by this example?’”

“As though rushing towards idols.”

“Like moths” and “like wool.”