[Explanation]
In the hadith that Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) includes in Riyadh al-Salihin under the chapter “The Virtue of Learning and Teaching Knowledge for Allah’s Sake,” narrated by Abu Musa from the Prophet ﷺ, the Messenger presents an extraordinary, eloquent parable. He likens the knowledge and guidance with which Allah sent him to a downpour of rain. Just as rain revives the earth, revelation revives the hearts. For that reason Allah ﷾ referred to what He revealed to Muhammad ﷺ as “a spirit,” saying:
“Thus We have revealed to you a Spirit of Our command. You did not know what the Book was, nor faith; but We made it a light by which We guide whom We will of Our servants. And indeed, you guide to a straight path—the path of Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Surely, to Allah all matters return.” (Q 42:52-53)
Revelation, then, is like rain. Yet, as the Messenger ﷺ explained, when that rain falls upon the earth it divides the land into three types:
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Land that welcomes the water, absorbs it, and brings forth abundant vegetation and fodder, so people profit from its produce.
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Land that, although it does not itself grow anything, retains the water; people draw from it to drink, to give others to drink, and to irrigate their crops.
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Barren, saline land that swallows the water but yields nothing at all—a flat, crusted waste that produces no growth.
This is the likeness of one who gains understanding in the religion of Allah—he learns and teaches—and of one who pays the revelation no heed. The first and second images describe those who accept the truth, learn it, and pass it on; the third depicts the person who shows it no concern.