{And set forth for them a parable of two men}
Meaning: Set forth the likeness of the state of the disbelievers and the believers by the state of two men. They were two brothers among the Children of Israel: one was a disbeliever named Qatrus, and the other a believer named Yahudha. It is also said they are the two mentioned in Surah al-Saffat: {A speaker among them said, "Indeed, I had a companion"} (al-Saffat: 51). They inherited eight thousand dinars from their father and divided them. The disbeliever bought land for a thousand, so the believer said: "O Allah, my brother bought land for a thousand dinars, and I buy from You land in Paradise for a thousand," and he gave it in charity. Then his brother built a house for a thousand, and he said: "O Allah, I buy from You a house in Paradise for a thousand," and he gave it in charity. Then his brother married a woman for a thousand, and he said: "O Allah, I have made a thousand the dowry for the Houris." Then his brother bought servants and goods for a thousand, and he said: "O Allah, I have bought from You the immortal youths for a thousand," and he gave it in charity. Then he (the believer) fell into need, so he sat on his brother's path. When he passed by with his retinue, he approached him, but he (the brother) drove him away and rebuked him for giving away his wealth. It is also said they are a parable for two brothers from the Banu Makhzum: a believer, Abu Salamah Abdullah ibn Abd al-Asad (the husband of Umm Salamah before the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him), and a disbeliever, al-Aswad ibn Abd al-Asad.
{Two gardens of grapevines}
Two orchards of vines.
{And We surrounded them with palm trees}
We made palm trees encircling the two gardens. This is what the wealthy landowners prefer for their vineyards: to have them bordered by fruit-bearing trees. It is said: "Haffuhu" (they surrounded it) when they encompass it, and "Hafaftuhu bihim" (I surrounded it with them), meaning I made them surround it. It is transitive to one object, and the *ba* makes it transitive to a second object, like saying "Ghashahu" (he covered it) and "Ghashaytuhu bihi" (I covered it with it).
{And We placed between them crops}
We made it land that combines both staples and fruits. He describes the cultivation as continuous and intertwined, with nothing in between to break or separate it, along with a beautiful form and elegant arrangement. He describes them as yielding fruit and fulfilling their harvest without deficiency. Then, he mentions water, which is the source and substance of all good regarding irrigation, making it the best form of watering: the flowing stream running through them. "Al-Ukl" means the fruit. It is also recited with a *damma* on the *kaf*.
{And it did not fail in anything}
It did not diminish. "Aatat" (it brought forth) is based on the grammatical form, because "Kilta" (both) is singular in form; if one were to say "Aatata" (dual) based on the meaning, it would be permissible. It is also recited as "Fajjarna" (We caused to gush forth) in the light form. Abdullah (ibn Mas'ud) recited: "Kullu al-jannatayn aata ukulahu" (Each of the two gardens brought forth its fruit), referring the pronoun back to "Kull" (each).
{And he had fruit}
Meaning: types of wealth. Derived from "Thamar al-mal" (the fruit of wealth) when it is abundant. Mujahid says: gold and silver. Meaning: in addition to the two described gardens, he possessed vast wealth of gold, silver, and other things. He was affluent in every respect, capable of cultivating the land however he wished.
{And [he was] more powerful in number}
Meaning: supporters and retinue. It is also said: male children, because they go out (yanfurun) with him, unlike females. "Yuhawiruhu" (he argues with him) means he debates him, from "Hara, yahuru" (to return), as in "I asked him, but he did not return (yuhir) a word."
{And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, "I do not think that this will perish ever. And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return."}
