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ʾinnamā mathalu l-ḥayāti d-dunyā ka-māʾin ʾanzalnāhu mina s-samāʾi fa-khtalaṭa bihī nabātu l-ʾarḍi mimmā yaʾkulu n-nāsu wa-l-ʾanʿāmu ḥattā ʾidhā ʾakhadhati l-ʾarḍu zukhrufahā wa-zzayyanat wa-ẓanna ʾahluhā ʾannahum qādirūna ʿalayhā ʾatāhā ʾamrunā laylan ʾaw nahāran fa-jaʿalnāhā ḥaṣīdan ka-ʾan lam taghna bi-l-ʾamsi ka-dhālika nufaṣṣilu l-ʾāyāti li-qawmin yatafakkarūna
The parable of the life of this world is that of water which We send down from the sky. It mingles with the earth’s vegetation from which humans and cattle eat. When the earth puts on its luster and is adorned, and its inhabitants think they have power over it, Our edict comes to it, by night or day, whereat We turn it into a mown field, as if it did not flourish the day before. Thus do We elaborate the signs for a people who reflect.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah Yunus – Verse 24
24. “The likeness of the life of this world is just as the water which We send down from the sky, and the plants of the earth mingle with it whereof men and cattle eat, till when the earth takes its ornament and is embellished, and its people imagine that they have power over it, (but suddenly) Our command reaches it by night or by day, and We make it stubble, as if it had not flourished the day before! Thus do We explain the Signs in detail for a people who reflect.
In the foregoing verses allusion had been made to the lack of permanence in this worldly life. In this holy verse this grave reality is depicted with an interesting example so that He may remove the curtain of arrogance and negligence from the eyes of those who are neglectful and unjust. The verse says:
“The likeness of the life of this world is just as the water which We send down from the sky...”
These life-providing drops fall on cultivable soil, making it possible for various plants to grow, some of which are useful for man, and others that are useful for birds and beasts. The verse continues saying:
“…and the plants of the earth mingle with it whereof men and cattle eat...”
These plants, besides the nutritional qualities that they contain for living creatures, cover the earth’s surface and decorate it so that the earth finds its utmost beauty in it. It is at this time that the blossoms decorate the branches and the flowers bloom. Nutritious grains and fruits show up gradually, dramatically depicting the full meaning of the scene of life, thus rendering people’s hearts hopeful and their eyes full of joy. This is done to the extent that people on the earth become certain that they can benefit from the blessings of the plants and fruits as well as from their life-inducing grains.
The verse says:
“…till when the earth takes its ornament and is embellished, and its people imagine that they have power over it...”
All of a sudden, Allah’s command reaches them, ordering excessive cold, unexpected heavy rains or strong thunderstorms to overwhelm and eradicate them all as if they never existed. The verse continues saying:
“…(but suddenly) Our command reaches it by night or by day, and We make it stubble, as if it had not flourished the day before!...”
Towards the end of the verse, in order to emphasize further, Allah declares:
“…Thus do We explain the Signs in detail for a people who reflect.