سُوْرَةُ هُوْدٍ
Surah Hud (11) — Ayah 24
۞ مَثَلُ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ كَٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْأَصَمِّ وَٱلْبَصِيرِ وَٱلسَّمِيعِ ۚ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ۚ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ﴿24﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are they equal when compared? Will you not then take heed?
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
۞ مَثَلُ
mathalu
(The) example
ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ
l-farīqayni
(of) the two parties
كَٱلْأَعْمَىٰ
kal-aʿmā
(is) like the blind
وَٱلْأَصَمِّ
wal-aṣami
and the deaf
وَٱلْبَصِيرِ
wal-baṣīri
and the seer
وَٱلسَّمِيعِ ۚ
wal-samīʿi
and the hearer
هَلْ
hal
Are
يَسْتَوِيَانِ
yastawiyāni
they equal
مَثَلًا ۚ
mathalan
(in) comparison
أَفَلَا
afalā
Then, will not
تَذَكَّرُونَ
tadhakkarūna
you take heed
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
The example [29] of these two groups is like one who is blind and deaf, and another who sees and hears. Can these two be equal? Will you not then take heed from this example?
[29]
Who Are the Seeing and the Blind? A Comparison Between the Life of a Disbeliever and a Believer:
These two groups are the disbelievers and the believers. The disbeliever is both blind and deaf. He does not see anything of the signs of Allah’s power in the universe all around, and if someone tries to show him, he cannot hear because he is deaf. Now, consider: if a blind person is walking on a path, is there any possibility of him being saved from going astray or falling into a pit—especially if, even when someone tries to guide him, he cannot hear? In contrast, there is a person who can see the path himself and is journeying towards his destination in the light of divine revelation, and that destination is before him. If he ever becomes confused, there are also guides present whose voices he can hear and wants to hear. It is obvious that the chances of such a person going astray or falling victim to an accident are eliminated, and his safe arrival at his destination becomes certain. This is the clear distinction that exists in the journey of life between a disbeliever and a believer.
[29]
Who Are the Seeing and the Blind? A Comparison Between the Life of a Disbeliever and a Believer:
These two groups are the disbelievers and the believers. The disbeliever is both blind and deaf. He does not see anything of the signs of Allah’s power in the universe all around, and if someone tries to show him, he cannot hear because he is deaf. Now, consider: if a blind person is walking on a path, is there any possibility of him being saved from going astray or falling into a pit—especially if, even when someone tries to guide him, he cannot hear? In contrast, there is a person who can see the path himself and is journeying towards his destination in the light of divine revelation, and that destination is before him. If he ever becomes confused, there are also guides present whose voices he can hear and wants to hear. It is obvious that the chances of such a person going astray or falling victim to an accident are eliminated, and his safe arrival at his destination becomes certain. This is the clear distinction that exists in the journey of life between a disbeliever and a believer.
