۞ 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 26
Translations
Indeed, Allāh is not timid to present an example - that of a mosquito or what is smaller 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,
Transliteration
Inna Allaha la yastahyi an yadriba mathalan ma ba'ūdatan fama fawqaha, fa-amma alladhina amanu fa ya'lamūna annahu al-haqqu min rabbihim, wa-amma alladhina kafarū fa yaqūlūna matha arada Allahu bi-hadha mathalan, yudillu bihi kathiran wa yahdī bihi kathiran, wa ma yudillu bihi illa al-fasiqin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the disbelievers' mockery of the Qur'an's use of parables, particularly those involving humble creatures like mosquitoes. Allah affirms that He is not ashamed to use any example to convey truth, as parables are vehicles for divine wisdom accessible to all levels of understanding. The believers recognize these examples as truth from their Lord and derive benefit, while the disbelievers reject them arrogantly—their rejection is not due to the parable's insignificance but to their own spiritual corruption (fasq). Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse validates the use of all creation in divine instruction, while Ibn Kathir notes that rejection of clear signs indicates a hardened heart.
Revelation Context
This ayah was revealed in response to the Meccan disbelievers' ridicule when the Qur'an presented parables using small creatures and everyday objects. It occurs in the opening section of Surah Al-Baqarah (the first Medinan surah), establishing foundational principles about Qur'anic discourse and the different responses people have to divine guidance.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The parable of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth' (Sahih Bukhari 97). Additionally, the hadith emphasizing that 'Allah presents the example of a word as a good tree' (related to 14:24) demonstrates the Qur'an's consistent validation of using metaphors.
Themes
Key Lesson
The use of simple, relatable examples in conveying spiritual truth is not beneath divine dignity—rather, it demonstrates Allah's mercy in making guidance accessible to all. Our receptiveness to divine signs depends on the state of our hearts; the same parable enlightens the believer and leaves the disbeliever confused, revealing that rejection of truth stems from spiritual disease, not intellectual inadequacy.