Ar-Raʿd: 17
"He sends down water from the sky..."
This is a parable God has struck for the Truth and its people, and for Falsehood and its party—just as He struck the parable of the blind and the seeing, and the darkness and the light for them.
He likened the Truth and its people to the water He sends down from the sky, through which the valleys flow. People are brought to life by it and derive various benefits from it. He also likened it to the metal (ore) from which they derive benefit by crafting jewelry, vessels, and various tools. Even if it were only iron, which contains great might, that would suffice.
This remains in the earth, enduring with an apparent permanence. The water remains in its benefits, and its traces persist in springs, wells, plains, and the fruits that grow from it, which are stored and treasured. Likewise, precious metals remain for long periods.
He likened Falsehood—in its rapid decay, its imminent disappearance, and its lack of utility—to the foam of the torrent that is cast aside, and to the dross of metal that floats on top when it is melted.
If you ask: Why is "valleys" (awdiyah) indefinite?
I say: Because rain does not fall everywhere at once; it alternates between regions, so some valleys of the earth flow while others do not.
If you ask: What is the meaning of His saying, "according to its measure" (bi-qadariha)?
I say: According to the measure that God knows is beneficial for those rained upon, and not harmful. Do you not see His saying, "But that which benefits the people"? Since He struck the rain as a parable for the Truth, it must be rain purely for benefit, free from harm, unlike some destructive rains and floods.
If you ask: What is the benefit of His saying, "seeking jewelry or utensils"?
I say: The benefit is the same as in "according to its measure." He combined water and metal in the phrase "But that which benefits the people." The meaning is: "As for that which benefits them from water and metal..." He mentioned the aspect of utility in what is heated and melted, which is jewelry and utensils.
His saying, "And from that which they heat in the fire, seeking jewelry or utensils," is a comprehensive expression for all types of metal, while displaying majesty in its mention in a way that shows disregard for it—as is the habit of kings. Similar to what came in the mention of bricks: "Then kindle for me, O Haman, upon the clay" (Al-Qasas: 38).
"From" (min) denotes the beginning of the origin; meaning: from it arises foam like the foam of water. Or it is for partition (tabʿid), meaning: some of it is foam, rising and swelling on the surface of the torrent, meaning it is cast aside. One says: "The pot cast off its foam" (jafaʾat), and "The torrent cast off" (ajfaʾa and ajfala). In the recitation of Ru'bah ibn al-Ajjaj: jafalan. Abu Hatim said: "Do not recite according to the reading of Ru'bah, for he used to eat mice." It is also recited as yuqaduna (with a ya), meaning: "the people heat."
"For those who have responded to their Lord is the best [reward]. But those who did not respond to Him—if they had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby. Those will have the worst of the account, and their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the resting place."
