Parable[i]: Blind Follower vs. A Person who uses
intellects
And God puts forward the example; a chattel slave, he
has no power of any sort, and a man on whom We have
bestowed a good provision from us, and He spends thereof
secretly and openly. Can they be equal? All the praises
and thanks be to God. Nay! Most of them know not (16:75)
Commentary:
Let us analyze each of the symbols used in this parable:
Chattel Slave – The Quran uses the similitude of
a Chattel Slave for a person who does not have his own
opinion and blindly follows someone else, just like a
slave obeys a master. Due to this blind obedience, the
slave like person would not use the intellects – the
faculties of knowing and reasoning - given by God to
every human being. Typically, if such a person is asked
about any subject the reply would be: “I believe because
such and such person – his master - has said this or
written in his book”. No reasoning, evidence or
arguments would shake his belief in his master. Such a
subservient attitude leads to a life of subjugation.
A man on whom We have bestowed a good provision:
symbolizes a person who has a free mind. He uses his
intellectual faculties to decide what is wrong and what
is right, in the light of the principles given by God,
just like Prophet Abraham (PBUH), the spiritual father
of all the believers. He follows principles, instead of
the vain desires of others. This attitude leads to a
good life; a life of spiritual and material abundance,
which is shared by that person with others openly or
secretly.
Other references – This subject is also covered in
numerous verses.
Some of them are 13:16, 13:19, 17:72, 25:73, 30:53,
35:19, 40:58, 43:40, 47:23, and 25:44.
Moral of this parable is that a person, who uses
his intellects to judge, based on the principles of God,
is on the right path and is rewarded accordingly. And
the one, who blindly follows others, without
understanding the principles, is like a slave.
Notes & References
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[i] A parable is a narrative of imagined events used to
illustrate or convey a moral or spiritual lesson. Quran
uses parables to convey its message. Quran says “And
these similitudes we put forward for humankind, but none
will understand them except those who have knowledge”
(29:43)
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