Tafsir of Ibraheem 14:18

{The likeness of those who disbelieved in their Lord} According to Sibawayh, "the likeness" (mathal) is a subject (mubtada') whose predicate (khabar) is omitted. The implied meaning is: "And among what is related to you is the likeness of those who disbelieved in their Lord." The term "likeness" is used metaphorically for a quality that possesses strangeness.

{Their deeds are like ashes} This is an independent sentence (jumla musta'nafa) in response to a hypothetical questioner asking: "What is their likeness?" So, it is said: "Their deeds are like ashes."

It is also possible that the meaning is: "The likeness of the deeds of those who disbelieved in their Lord." Or, this sentence could be the predicate for the subject, meaning: "The quality of those who disbelieved is that their deeds are like ashes," similar to saying, "Zayd’s quality is that his honor is protected and his wealth is spent."

Alternatively, "their deeds" (a'maluhum) could be a substitute (badal) for "the likeness of those who disbelieved," with the implied meaning: "The likeness of their deeds is like ashes," where "like ashes" (ka-ramad) is the predicate.

{In a stormy day} It has been recited as "the winds" (al-riyahi). The storminess ('asf) is attributed to the day, though it actually pertains to what is within it—the wind or winds—just as one says, "a rainy day" or "a drunken night," while the drunkenness actually pertains to the wind. It has also been recited as "in a stormy day" (fi yawm 'asif) in the genitive construction (idafa).

The interpretation of the deeds: The deeds of the disbelievers—such as maintaining kinship ties, freeing slaves, ransoming captives, slaughtering camels for guests, aiding the distressed, providing sanctuary, and other such virtuous acts—are likened in their nullification and disappearance (like scattered dust) to ashes blown away by a stormy wind. This is because they were not built upon the foundation of knowing Allah and believing in Him, nor were they performed for His sake.

{They have no power} On the Day of Resurrection, they will have no power {over anything of what they earned} of their deeds; they will see no trace of reward for them, just as one can grasp nothing from ashes scattered by the wind.

{That is the far-reaching error} This refers to the distance of their error from the path of truth or from the reward.

{With the truth} Meaning: with wisdom, a correct purpose, and a momentous affair. He did not create them in vain, nor out of caprice.

{Have you not seen that Allah created the heavens and the earth with the truth? If He wills, He can do away with you and bring forth a new creation. And that is not difficult for Allah.}