Ar-Ra'd 13:17
The Thunder · ayah 17 of 43
Anzala mina assama-i maanfasalat awdiyatun biqadariha fahtamalaassaylu zabadan rabiyan wamimma yooqidoonaAAalayhi fee annari ibtighaa hilyatinaw mataAAin zabadun mithluhu kathalika yadribuAllahu alhaqqa walbatila faammaazzabadu fayathhabu jufaan waamma mayanfaAAu annasa fayamkuthu fee al-ardi kathalikayadribu Allahu al-amthal
Saheeh International translation
Other English translations
Abdel Haleem (Oxford)+
"He sends water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The stream carries on its surface a growing layer of froth, like the froth that appears when people melt metals in the fire to make ornaments and tools: in this way God illustrates truth and falsehood- the froth disappears, but what is of benefit to man stays behind- this is how God makes illustrations."
Pickthall (classic)+
"He sendeth down water from the sky, so that valleys flow according to their measure, and the flood beareth (on its surface) swelling foam - from that which they smelt in the fire in order to make ornaments and tools riseth a foam like unto it - thus Allah coineth (the similitude of) the true and the false. Then, as for the foam, it passeth away as scum upon the banks, while, as for that which is of use to mankind, it remaineth in the earth. Thus Allah coineth the similitudes."
Yusuf Ali (classic)+
"He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: But the torrent bears away to foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth Allah (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like forth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth Allah set forth parables."