1. religion and spirituality
2. islam

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t. 9, #2, 2015
BULL ET IN OF THE GEORGIAN NATIONAL ACADEM Y OF SCIENCE S, vols. 9, no. 2, 2015
Education
The role of Quran analogies to understand great divine
teachings
Zahra Kashaniha*, Sayyed Mohsen Mirbagheri**, Fatemeh Babashah***
*Assistant Professor of Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University
**Assistant Professor of Shahid Rajaee Teacher Training University
***Master Student in University of principles of Religion
ABSTRACT. The Holy Quran is the everlasting miracle of the Islam prophet from God to
guide and help mankind toward his natural destination. To understand meanings and also to
go close as much as possible to these divine meaning many literature techniques and beauty
have been employed and this is a reason of attractiveness of the Koran. On issues with great
importance in the book is the use of analogies and symbolism. In this work, it was tried to
along with introducing analogy and its differences with metaphor shed light on Koranic
meaning hoping taking a small step toward deeper insight to this holy book. © 2015 Bull.
Georg. Natl.Acad. Sci.
Key words: analogy, example, examples, metaphor, Quran.
INTRODUCTION
Since Quran is the book of humans’ education and is a light which brings them out of darkness and leads them to illumination
and also is the greatest speech to make people’s life better in this world and sympathetic guidance for the hereafter as well as
guarantee of salvation and happiness in both worlds. Since revelation of the Quran, this great speech has absorbed attraction
of the world people and has been discussed in every scientific, literary and religious circle. Deep recognition of this scripture
and discovering its facetiae, delicacies and accuracies will not be possible without awareness of the corresponding literacy
techniques. In order to take advantage of Quran verses and getting closer to the light resource and absolute perfection, it
should be recognized as much as possible to hold blazing torch of faith within the soul illuminated and to diffuse the heat
range from inside to outside in order to enlighten human society after self-improvement.Due to being simple and perceptible
for the public, analogy and simile cause perception goody to penetrate human soul as deep as possible, therefore whenever
the motion is started with an introduction of science and knowledge, it will be more effective and more useful and will help
follower more through the perfection. With such a description, importance and role of Quran analogy and simile will be
known. Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), during the 23 years of his mission, recited Quran with all its beauties for people,
explained God's commands and precepts of ethics and made the corresponding meanings and concepts easy and perceptible
for them by different analogies and similes. Sayyed Ghotb writes:”the way of Quran is the public (perceptible and graspable)
way, is the way of representation (visualization and analogy) and addressed events and accidents using the force of
imagination”1 . The Quran examples are of the most wonderful cases which have attracted attention of scientists and scholars
about which plenty of books have been written. The Quran analogies, like lustrous torches, light up the way to understand
great teachings of God so that some researchers recognized Quran examples as “Quran lights”. In order to explain importance
of speech and expression, it is to say that if there was no expression tool and language key, human thoughts deposits were
kept sealed in package like precious treasures and human intellectual attempts were not expanded. By speech, thinking hidden
gem is withdrawn from the depths of the mind and is transferred for others. The speech is important from two aspects:
A. It allows coexistence by which human makes communication with his/her fellowmen, inform them his/her requirements
and gets informed of their needs.
B. It carries inner teachings and messages as well as mental inspiration among people.
The latter is what has provided speech and speakers with special value and importance.
© 2015 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci.
42
Z.Kashaniha
The speakers’ class is of special privilege due to being creators of meaning and words and keepers of their own language
words and phrases and continuously grants it freshness and hereto they make their nationality and prestige everlasting
(Nasirian, Yadollah, Rhetoric Sciences and Miracles of Quran, Page 8).Given the importance of speech, the great God has
used analogy and simile in several verses.Different sciences also take advantage of “example” to explain different issues,
prove arguments and clarify the contents for the mind so that sometimes an analogy makes a deep and difficult issue quite
clear and perceptible. “Example is always considered as one of the most concise and effective ways to affect on people and in
cases where other methods are unable to address the goal, examples and analogies simplify the way and transfer clearly the
meaning for audience by concise expressions and communicative simile.” (Alfayyaz, Mohammad Jayez, The examples from
Holy Quran book, P 9).The Holy Quran addresses its long contents sometimes by simile, analogy and metaphor and
sometimes it goes further and draws and visualize the desired mental mood for which it was succeeded. This literal and
technical method is one of the best possible means to increase invitation effectiveness. Abdolghaher Jorjani writes something
mot in this regard“Be aware that all scientists believe that when analogy follows meanings, it covers majestic garment and
grants virtue for the semantics, increases value and fire of them and doubles their power to stimulate the souls and attracts the
hearts towards that meanings and provides interest and enthusiasm from the heart depth on the semantics…” (Jorjani,
Abdolghaher, Asrarpl balagheh, Translated by Jalil Tajlil, P 64).Each Quranic analogy draws portraits professionally for
desired moods and modes to make audiences to judge by watching beautiful and ugly views of the human life.John Dion Port
writes: “Quran is the most poetic work of the world east and includes a rhythmic prose and poem by the most eloquent form
of Arabic language which is full of the most resplendent examples and the hardest similes. The magic and attraction used in
the text of Quran and its simplicity and versatility has stimulated Arab’s admiration. Quran shows Kingdom of God with
some amazing verses. The song, tune and phrases of Quran are extraordinary to draw heaven and hell.
“Example” as a word and expression
“Example is a phrase about something which is similar to the phrase about another thing so that one addresses and visualizes
another.” (Ragheb Esfahani, Vocabulary in a strange Quran, P 462). And the owner of Quran lexicon writes:“The most of use
cases of example in Quran is Ragheb’s quotation, although it has also mentioned in other meanings.”3
Example as an expression means: “it is a short sentence including a reasonable simile or concept which has been famous
among public due to verbal fluency, meaning clarity and combination elegance and it is used in conversation without change
or with small changes.” (Dehkhoda, P16, Vol 13).Allameh Tabatabaei, writer of Tafsir-al-Mizan, defines example as follows:
“The example word means a description which visualizes something in the mood it had, whether the description has external
reality or it is merely assumption and imagination, like the examples used at the form of animals or plants talks. Proverb
means to provide the opposite party with example to let him think and study about it.” (Tabatabaei, Mohammad Hossein,
Tafsir-al-Mizan, Translated by Mousavi Hamedani, Mohammadi Publications, Pages 5 and 6).The scholars believe that short
term and meaning clarity are of the conditions for the example because as long as theses descriptions are not collected in
phrases, that phrase will not be accepted by public and will not be conventional in general conversations.Therefore, the
example does not have the same meaning with Quranic analogies because the examples have the characteristic to be
conventional among the public and such a characteristic does not exist about Quranic analogies. Since the great God has
considered them as “example” before making his prophet aware of realties and people read the verses and be conventional
among the tongues. Quranic examples are a unique method and a modern plan without following the people’s comments and
prior cases. However, researchers believe that the Quran example is in such a way that God addresses a story and the desired
case is adapted with. In fact, example is brought to teach the content and saturate audience’s mind.This is also to say that the
Holy Quran has a special attention to analogies in order to teach and clarify its great contents and exemplifying was known as
the best means for people’s contemplation and guidance.“Verily, Allah knows what things they invoke instead of Him. He is
the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.” Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider), Verse 42.Explaining the Divine teachings in the form of
analogy is both the method of the previous scriptures and teaching style of the Holy Quran.“Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allah, and those who are with him are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and
falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith)
is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of (their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat
(Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it
then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them.
Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e. all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet
Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).”
Surah Al-Fath (The Victory), Verse 29.Fakhr razi believes that: “The Gospel includes a chapter called (examples)” and in
Antiquity at the section of books which is the third set of the Old Testament, the examples book is after book of Psalms.4
Example in the Holy Quran is along with several meanings, some of which are mentioned here:“Example means attribute and
mood for example in a verse”“Verily, the likeness of 'Iesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from
dust, then (He) said to him: "Be!" - and he was.” Surah Ale-Imran (The Family of Imran), Verse 59.Mood and story of Jesus
Christ’s to not have father is like the story of Prophet Adam who was created through soil by God and he was commanded to
be made then he was made.In Quran, example sometimes means adjective which visualizes the noun:“The description of the
Paradise which the Muttaqun have been promised! -Underneath it rivers flow, its provision is eternal and so is its shade, this
is the end (final destination) of the Muttaqun (, and the end (final destination) of the disbelievers is Fire.” Surah Ar-Ra'd (The
Thunder), Verse 35.The description of the Paradise which the Muttaqun have been promised underneath it rivers flow. (Surah
Ar-Ra'd (The Thunder)- Verse 35).
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The role of Quran analogies to understand great divine teachings
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Example sometimes means Hadith in Quran.
“And no example or similitude do they bring (to oppose or to find fault in you or in this Qur'an), but We reveal to you the
truth (against that similitude or example), and the better explanation thereof.” Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion), Verse 33.
(Qorayshi, Aliakbar, Lexicon of Quran, P 234-235).Example is valuable, since it decreases teachings up to public
understanding level and also makes the human to think and makes the content perceptible. Finally at end of this discussion,
we should remind that in present paper, analogy means analogical stories and also simile and exemplifying.
1- Analogy method in Quran
Since Quran is divine revelation and owes perfection without any deficiency, it defends against opponents who protest
sometimes on the content of the Quran and sometimes on how to interpret it and says: Believers believe against "example"
and recognize it as "right" and from God but disbelievers do unwarranted criticism against the example. By these examples,
God conducts some people and misleads someone and this criminal perversion only contains unfaithful people, the people
who have been regressed from straight path and do some guilt.
The opponents said: Analogy for small and invaluable cases (e.g. spiders and flies) is not suitable for God and God should
avoid to use such examples.The noble Quran responds them: analogy for understanding the content, does not have the
modesty because if the mission of the Quran is telling the truth and if it wants to notify it, it should address the content by any
means and convey for others so that it sometimes addressed a content by reason, sometimes by the best controversy,
sometimes by admonishment and sometimes by analogy. However, Quran is not revealed to any particular group, but it is a
world book: “Blessed is He Who sent down the Furqan upon His servant that he may be a warner to the nations” Surah AlFurqan (The Criterion), Verse 1.Therefore, it should address its purpose in such a way that all the people can realize until
doomsday and the best language is analogy to explain reasonable teachings for the public and God uses any analogies in this
regard.The main core of example is to be relative to the exemplified item that simplifies the perception. Analogy of light and
darkness for truth and falsehood as well as animals, birds and plants in not only conventional in conversational culture of
non-Arab peoples and nations but also in Primitive and civil Arab dialogues such that it was the case also in the previous
scriptures such as the Torah and the Gospel. Therefore, neither idolaters living in Hijaz, nor Jews nor Christians immigrants
were allowed to criticize.The noble Quran says as a general and comprehensive principle that: “we mention analogies for all
areas” Surah Ar-Rum (Rome), Verse 58.The argument-based people understand reasonable content better by example and in
case on non-argument ones, they perceive the main content by example so that no one has excuse in the realm of divine
revelation.“(And remember) when you (the Muslim army) were on the near side of the valley, and they on the farther side,
and the caravan on the ground lower than you. Even if you had made a mutual appointment to meet, you would certainly have
failed in the appointment, but (you met) that Allah might accomplish a matter already ordained (in His Knowledge); so that
those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence, and those who were
to live (i.e. believers) might live after a clear evidence. And surely, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.” Surah Al-Anfal (The
Spoils of War), Verse 42. Since the glorified God has mentioned some examples about true believers in Quran, the Torah and
the Bible have done the same: “Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are severe against
disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking Bounty
from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. The mark of them (i.e. of their Faith) is on their faces (foreheads) from the traces of
(their) prostration (during prayers). This is their description in the Taurat (Torah). But their description in the Injeel (Gospel)
is like a (sown) seed which sends forth its shoot, then makes it strong, it then becomes thick, and it stands straight on its stem,
delighting the sowers that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those among them who believe (i.e.
all those who follow Islamic Monotheism, the religion of Prophet Muhammad till the Day of Resurrection) and do righteous
good deeds, forgiveness and a mighty reward (i.e. Paradise).” Surah Al-Fath (The Victory), Verse 29.And also, scholars’
speech is full of analogies so that Arabic authors have used examples in such books as and so on. Therefore, no error is
allowed for this addressing style of the Holy Quran and if someone criticizes that analogy for small items is not suitable for
God, the response is following:
1- The method of Noble Quran is that important and great contents are represented by great and important example so that it
says: “Had we sent down this Quran on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the
fear of Allah. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect” Surah Al-Hashr (The
Gathering)- Verse 21. But it uses examples of small tasks for inferior contents so that it says about the beggars form other
than God that “The likeness of those who take Auliya' (protectors and helpers) other than Allah is as the likeness of a spider,
who builds (for itself) a house, but verily, the frailest (weakest) of houses is the spider's house; if they but knew.” Surah AlAnkabut (The Spider)- Verse 41.Absolute divinity of God's infinite leaves no place for other than God and other than God has
no independent credit to be relied on. Hence, works of unbelievers are likened to a mirage thirsty people look for. “As for
those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he
finds it to be nothing, but he finds Allah with him, who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account.”
Surah An-Nur (The Light)- Verse 39.Also God says to draw the weakness of idolaters’ idols. “O mankind! A similitude has
been coined, so listen to it (carefully): Verily! Those on whom you call besides Allah, cannot create (even) a fly, even though
they combine together for the purpose. And if the fly snatched away a thing from them, they would have no power to release
it from the fly. So weak are (both) the seeker and the sought.” Surah Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)- Verse 73.
2- Being large and small is a relative thing and is addressed in measurement of two things with each other but for God
everything is same because against his absolute power, being small and large, and hard and easy does not mean. Therefore
such verses as “Are you more difficult to create, or is the heaven that He constructed?” Surah An-Nazi'aat (Those Who pull
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Z.Kashaniha
out)-Verse 27, Which talk about small and large objects measurement is a ratio for humans otherwise, glorified god knows all
the universe humble against Allah. (JavadiAmoli, Abdullah, Tasnim Interpretation, Osaray Publications, P510-512).
3- The body size is not standard of being small or large since as Imam Sadeq says: a tiny insect such as mosquitoes has all the
advantages of an elephant in addition to two antennae .Since example is used to make an issue perceptible for everyone,
therefore Quran has used example to link great teachings to perception level of people mass like a rope. “The simpler man,
the higher need to example and the higher familiarity with deep knowledge, the lower need to example. The role of analogy
to recognize realities is not the same as limit and formal definitions (complete and incomplete limit and complete and
incomplete form), because analogy neither shows actor’s inherencies nor presents complications of the essence, but it is a
kind of object description to approach the mind like the following speech: “like breathe in the body, example is the captain in
ship and king in the city”. In each case where noble Quran mentions an example, the exemplified case is convinced
before/after the example with reasonable arguments and besides, it declares an example in order to help intermediate people
such that the monotheism is explained sometimes by logical argument and as exceptional analogy: “Had there been therein
(in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of
the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!” Surah Al-Anbiyah' (The Prophets)-Verse 22. And sometimes it is
addressed as a simple example: if a man is a slave of some discordant masters each of who hire him for a task is compared by
a man owned by just one master, then they will not be the same: “Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to
many partners (like those who worship others along with Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging
entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks
be to Allah! But most of them know not.” Surah Az-Zumar (The Groups)- Verse 29. The consequence of that logical
argument and this intuitive example is that if the world is organized and managed by some sources, then its system will be
unbridled.
4- The difference between analogy and simile
The analogy meanings in the literature have a close link with its linguistic meaning. In the literature, analogy sometimes is
used as either general meaning or specific one. However, the general meaning is equal to simile and the specific meaning
includes analogy simile, analogical metaphor and analogical story.In other words, any analogy is simile in general meaning
but any simile is not analogy. This Saheb Kashaf’s ideas which recognize analogy and simile as synonym and include
equivalent association between them.But, based on other scholars’ opinion, analogy is more general and it can be said that
any analogy is simile while any simile is not analogy.
Specific meaning of analogy includes following items
1. Analogy simile: a simile whole resemblance is extracted by different cases.
2. Analogical metaphor: since by elimination of the exemplified case and mentioning the exemplified to case, assured
metaphor is obtained, we can understand by a few thinking that the sentence is not used in its main meaning. The analogical
metaphor itself is a type of assured metaphor in which analogical metaphor is obtained by elimination of exemplified case in
the analogy.
3. Analogical story: it includes a tale and story cited by human or animal which in addition to appearance manning, it also has
another meaning such as Kelile-va-Demne and Marzban Nameh stories which have wisdoms and moral, social and political
themes in their stories. Although both simile and analogy play a considerable role to simplify a deep content, they have some
difference in terms of the nature because the analogy is to address and example which is unified with the exemplified case in
terms of reality principle and they are separated from each other in existential degree so that one of them is tangible and the
another is imagined or reasonable. The necessity of analogy is quite clear in mathematical sciences while it is specific in
literally knowledge. In mathematical sciences, two types of analogy are addressed to match imagination and reason and
feeling and imagination alignment. First, deep and reasonable content is drawn imaginarily and in writing and speech, the
mathematics teacher is decreased from reason to imagination. Second, the imagined content finds intuitive decreased by
drawing a geometrical shape either with surface or with body or with volume.Sometimes something may be apparently a
simile but naturally an analogy and in doomsday when secrets are revealed and the consciences are appeared, it will be clear
that what addressed in the world is with analogy type not the simile. Hence, what mentioned in Verse 176 of Surah Al-Araf
abou dog and what mentioned in Verse 5 of Surah Al-Joma about donkey may be with analogy type against the simile, not of
analogy type which sometimes is counted as simile equivalent not against ir. (Javadi-Amoli, Andullah, Tafsir Nasim, P 527528).Romani writes a thesis about aspects of miracle and eloquence that eloquence in three categories and in 10 types: Al-Ijaz
(Brevity), Al-Tashbih (Analogy), Al-Esteareh (metaphor), etc. Then he tells about the analogy that: intuitive analogy and
intellectual analogy (the former is real analogy and the latter is rhetorical analogy) include several aspects. (Romani, P 7071).
5- Analogy advantages
The Miracle of Quran is addressed in three aspects: scientific, canonization and recitative (in recitative miracle of Quran, tips,
rhetorical delicacies and phrases are used and generally terms are paid into attention) and analogy is related to recitative
miracle of Quran.Imam Ali says in Nahj-ol-Balaghe about example as follows:
How useful examples and clear advices exist in Quran.Lots of examples are mentioned in Noble Quran and just in AlBaghare chapter (Surah), 10 examples are observed. In some verses of Quran, God has said advantage and wisdom of
example. For instance:Verse 25 of Surah Ibrahim: “Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth
parables for mankind in order that they may remember.”Verse 21 of Surah AL-Hashr: “Had we sent down this Qur'an on a
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The role of Quran analogies to understand great divine teachings
45
mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables
which we put forward to mankind that they may reflect”Verse 43 of Surah Al-Ankabout (Spider): “And these similitude We
put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have knowledge (of Allah and His Signs,
etc.).”Totally we should say that “Lelnass” (people in English) is emphasized in three verses which indicates that people take
advantage of the example. In three above mentioned verses, example is used either for warning and recall, or cogitation and
though or thinking and perception. Therefore, about analogy advantages it can be concluded that analogy recalls humans and
makes them to think and cogitate.Verily Quran was revealed over five-aspects: Lawful and unlawful, sturdy and similarity
and examples. Therefore do lawful, prevent unlawful, follow whatever study, believe similarity and learn a lesson from
examples. Thereby, dazzling moral, educational, scientific, social rays can be recognized as advantages of analogy which has
illumination like a prism.
However, some other mentioned advantages for analogy are briefly addressed as follows:




Making reasonable issues tangible.
Shortening the way to reach great teachings and scientific issues (Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Tafsir-Nemooneh, P173)
Effectiveness of the humans’ souls (Rashidreza, Mohammad, Tafsir-Almanar- P167).
Making advice and preaching sweet. (Ahamdi, Sayyed Ahmad, Education principles in Islam, P40). Since direct advice is bitter
for people, it is mentioned in Quran that: “Then he [Salih (Saleh)] turned from them, and said: "O my people! I have indeed
conveyed to you the Message of my Lord, and have given you good advice but you like not good advisers.” Surah Al-A'raf
(The Heights)- Verse 79.
 Making array in speech. Analogy decorates the speech.
 Avoiding to make excuses and obstinacy by the enemies (Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Tafsir-Nemooneh, P 173-174).
And so on.
6. Necessity and role of analogy
As mentioned before, analogy plays a considerable role to understand different sciences so that every science needs it.
Sometimes, a correct and timely analogy is so effective on human soul that overshadows personal ideas and thoughts. A
major part of scriptures of God prophets is formed by Quran analogies. For instance, the role of Quran analogies is explained
by some verses as follows”The glorified God provides diverse examples about the disbelievers and the hypocrites, sometimes
he says: disbelievers and the hypocrites are like someone looking for a false target quickly on a comfortable way but when
they arrive the destination, they will realize they had gone to an astray and been deadlocked: “As for those who disbelieve,
their deeds are like a mirage in a desert. The thirsty one thinks it to be water, until he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing,
but he finds Allah with him, who will pay him his due (Hell). And Allah is Swift in taking account.” Surah An-Nur (The
Light)-Verse 39.The pagan’s task result is like a mirage and his/her movement is like running towards the mirage. The mirage
is a waterfront which is illuminated at horizon boundary due to radiation on the earth's surface and attracts unaware thirsty
man but as long as he proceeds he will find nothing except increased fire and when he took all his forces in this straying way,
he will thirstily pass away when he has neither more power to go nor power to come back and has found no water to meet his
thirst. In this analogy, it is talked about movement and acceleration while stultifying and in discussed verse, hypocrites’ stop
or slow moving is addressed. The secret of this dichotomy is related to its interpretation based on which, arriving the
destination is provided on two conditions: recognizing the way and recognizing goal and target. Therefore, someone does not
know the goal or knows it but does not know the way, will finally get lost and never arrive the destination. In case of any
acceleration for hypocrites, it is to get lost otherwise they have failed to traverse the right path. The noble Quran explains the
goal negation with the sentence of “Kasrab Baghieh” and discusses lack of insight needed to identify the way in above
mentioned verse. Therefore, hypocrites either move toward something which is not goal and purpose of creation or if they
have understood goal and purpose, they do not know how to correctly reach it to move on that way, perhaps they get lost
intentionally. The glorified God says in another example about unbelievers’ tasks: “Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the
darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one
above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him
there is no light.” Surah An-Nur (The Light) – Verse 40.The unbelievers’ tasks are like an aggregated darkness that have been
engaged in like someone who is drowning in a sea at a dark night, a sea covered by ling waves and dense fog and clouds so
that if he takes his hand out, the hand cannot be seen. Hence, the light is only from the glorified God and anyone far from the
divine light, is quite dark.From total of 39 Old Testament books (Torah), one book is named “examples book” which includes
lots of moral and religious analogies and wisdoms and it is said that, the most parts of the book are written by Prophet
Solomon.Also it has been said that, Jesus (AS) had decorated his words with analogies more than all the prophets of Bani
Israel in such a way that he has been known as the best literal analogy teller. Analogies of Jesus (AS) in the literature world is
the most subtle work remained in Bible and all researchers, fanatic Christians to impartial critics, acknowledge on their quite
tenderness about which several researches have been conducted and explanations have been written. 7As mentioned formerly,
the role of Quran analogies is so significant to understand its great teachings. In Noble Quran, teachings and facts are
addressed into two ways.
1. Discursive manner which has purely rational aspect and wise man will understand it as much as his ability and realize its
arguments.
2. The “analogy” manner which decreases discursive level and makes the facts perceptible. (Rahbar, Mohammadtaghi, A
research on propaganda, P 473).For instance in the following verse: “Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth)
gods besides Allah, then verily both would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above
what they attribute to Him!” Surah Al-Anbiyah' (The Prophets)-Verse 22. “If there was any God other than Allah, the sky and
earth would be corrupted and the world system would be collapsed. “ This verse includes an argument used to address and
prove monotheism, the argument which is difficult to realize for ordinary people. However, this argument makes the content
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Z.Kashaniha
perceptible for the public in a form of pretty example at another verse: “Say: (O Muhammad ) "O My people! Work
according to your way, I am working (according to my way). Then you will come to know,” Surah Az-Zumar (The Groups)Verse 29.Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with
Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone).
Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them do not know. The former
explains monotheism by a rational argument as an exceptional comparison while the former addressed that content at a simple
and fluent example. The consequences of that rational argument and this intuitive example are the same which is “if the world
was handled by more than one source, the creation system would be collapsed”. Also, magnificence of Quran is addressed by
such verses as: “Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, legal laws, etc.).” Surah Al-Muzzammil
(The One wrapped in Garments)- Verse 5.And sometimes as an analogy, it is said: “Had We sent down this Qur'an on a
mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allah. Such are the parables
which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect” Surah Al-Hashr (The Gathering)- Verse 21.Aboues’hagh Nezam
(231M) says: there are four attributes in example that is not found in another speech: 1.Brevity, 2. Performance, 3. Simile, 4.
Gesture.The goal of Noble Quran from analogy is to teach simple concepts through example to the actor and hence it warns
that humans should not stay at the level of decreased wisdoms, but they should use the example as a bridge to reach actor’s
peak; because living in the example’s limit is like living on the bridge and since the example is like a rope to rise up to actor’s
wisdom peak. This is like an event in which a mountaineer takes the rope hanging from the top of a mountain, but he does not
climb.As per Quran, discovery from example to the actor is provided on traverse from intuitive world to rational world and
then from rational science to intuitive knowledge of heart which is not owned by everyone and only a low number of humans
obtain it: “And these similitude We put forward for mankind, but none will understand them except those who have
knowledge (of Allah and His Signs, etc.).” Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider)- Verse 43.So it is concluded that if someone did
not reach from example to the actor, he would not be a wise man because he has released the goal and is engaged with the
tools. The above verse shows that the main benefit of analogy is for the scholars who use their science as the reason ladder
and the reason here means the total and extract of knowledge and good deeds (Javadi Amoli, Abdullad, Tafsir-Nasim, P328).
Since the Noble Quran has some profound issues which should be perceptible by everyone, hence Allah has facilitated to
learn complex Quran teachings at the examples form, as Imam Sadeq (AS) says in this regard an amazing hadith: All Quran
audiences are common to understand it but they are not in the same degree of perception. As mentioned about analogy, it
makes reason tangible and perceptible for everyone.
Conclusion
The noble Quran is the book to guide people. There are deep and profound wisdoms in Quran for different human potentials
and since all the people have not reached to long peaks of knowledge and faith or have less ability, therefore Allah has used
analogy in his bible to approach deep and profound concepts and teachings for the public in order to allow everybody realize
them. There are several advantages in Quran analogies including making rational issues intuitive, realizing profound divine
teachings, paying attention to values and moral minds, premonition of ugliness and evils, expanding the human thought and
horizons, creating vitality and freshness and variety of speech and so on all of which are of Quran analogies effects. In this
scripture, any method has been used to lead people towards spiritual perfection and transformation and prevent them from
intellectual and practical rigor; therefore it has made a specific revolution among its followers. Since Quran analogies
tangibly make Quran audience confronted with facts and realities, they play a considerable role to understand profound
teachings of Quran.The noteworthy tip in Quran analogies is that we should not stop on low level meanings but we should
think about their profound meaning by taking the discipline of thinking and reasoning.
Post Scripts
1. Sayyed Ghotb, P 186- In another place, Sayyed Ghot about Verse 109 of Surah Al-Baghareh (which is known by him as a
magnificent picture) says as follows: let’s take a glance and see the magnificent, robust and secure building that is "piety"
then see another hand and open our eyes towards another view by a building constructed beside a loose bluff, the building is
always ready to fall on the river edge which is quite collapsed by the flooding.
2. Dion Port, P 91- He believes Quran includes a rhythmic prose and poem by the most eloquent form of Arabic language
which is full of the most resplendent examples and the hardest similes. The magic and attraction used in the text of Quran and
its simplicity and versatility has stimulated Arab’s admiration. Quran shows Kingdom of God with some amazing verses.
3. Qorayshi, Aliakbar, Quran lexicon, Volume 6, P 234: Allah tells a story then matches his desired content with the story. In
fact, example is used to understand the content and saturate audience’s mind.
4. Fakhr-Razi, P 80- examples book is also mentioned also in encyclopedia of Judaism at the classification and we see in the
book of comparing stories in Quran and Bible that: the example help us to learn wisdom and literate and be able to realize
meaning of profound contents. The examples book includes the examples written by such scholars as the Wise Solomon.
Ashrafi, P 27.
5. SURAH AL-FURQAN (THE CRITERION)- VERSE 1. BLESSED BE HE WHO SENT DOWN THE CRITERION (OF RIGHT AND WRONG, I.E.
THIS QUR'AN) TO HIS SLAVE (MUHAMMAD ) THAT HE MAY BE A WARNER TO THE 'ALAMIN (MANKIND AND JINN).
6. JAVADIAMOLI, ABDULLAH, TAFSIR-NASIM. EXAMPLE IS LIKE A ROPE WHICH IS CONNECTED FROM PROFOUND TEACHINGS TO
PUBLIC PERCEPTION LEVEL SO EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE ABILITY TO REALIZE DIFFICULT ISSUES, DEMAND IT AND REALIZE
THE CONTENTS. P 326-327.
7. HEKMAT, P 112-113. RECOGNITION OF QURANIC SCIENCES IS ONE OF THE THINGS OBLIGATORY TO MUJTAHID AND THE
RECOGNITION IS WHATEVER EXEMPLIFIED IN QURAN. P 128
Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci., vols. 9, no. 2, 2015
The role of Quran analogies to understand great divine teachings
8. VOL 1, P 291 AND , P 22. EBN-GHAYYEM-JOUZIEH, HAS ALSO WORKED ON THIS IMPORTANT
QURAN BOOK AND HAS TALKED ABOUT EXAMPLE FEATURES IN THE VOLUME 1 OF THE BOOK.
47
ISSUE IN THE EXAMPLES FROM
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