Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · Al-Baqara 2:26

The gnat, and what is above it

مثل البعوضة

Allah is not too shy to strike any parable; believers grow in faith by it, others in doubt.

Quran

What it means

Allah tells that He does not shy away from striking a parable of a gnat or of what is even smaller; the believers know it is the truth from their Lord, while those who disbelieve ask what Allah could mean by it, and by it He leads many astray and guides many (2:26).

As-Sa'di explains that parables make the truth clear and are a mercy to be received with thanks. Believers reflect on them and grow in knowledge and faith, trusting Allah's wisdom where it is hidden from them; those who leave His obedience object, and their doubt grows.

Evidence

QuranAl-Baqara (The Cow)Quran 2:26

۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا ۚ فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ ۖ وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَيَقُولُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا ۘ يُضِلُّ بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا وَيَهْدِى بِهِۦ كَثِيرًا ۚ وَمَا يُضِلُّ بِهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ ٢٦

Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller[15] than it. And those who have believed know that it is the truth from their Lord. But as for those who disbelieve, they say, "What did Allāh intend by this as an example?" He misleads many thereby and guides many thereby. And He misleads not except the defiantly disobedient,

Translator's notes

[15] Literally, "above it," i.e., greater in smallness.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

26. Verily, Allâh is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allâh intend by this parable?" By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh[6]).

[6] (V.2:26) We have retained this peculiar English construction in order to capture the Arabic idiom here.

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