Paragons of the Qur'an

by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya

There are a numerous verses in the Noble Qur'an by which Allah, the Most High, brings Greater clarity and insight when explaining things to mankind. This is done through the use of deep and meaningful parables that are clear for human intellect to comprehend, ponder over and understand the message of the Qur'an.- It is from his infinite Wisdom that Allah destined these divinely revealed parables to become rooted in His Final Revelation, until the Last Day - through which mankind can increase in knowledge, recognise guidance and embrace the truth.- In discussing the theme of some of these verses, this book exquisitely and beautifully explains many parables found therein, the depth of which will stimulate the intellect to ponder over the beauty of the articulated literary style and precision of the Magnificent Quran, guiding mankind to the straight path.- It is a timely translation of one on the finest, yet concise books written on the topic. Not only is this work an intellectual discourse, it also provides inspiration and instils spiritual enlightenment for every Muslim who seeks to create a stronger bond with the Mighty Book of Allah.

Genres: Islam

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sai · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘…Upon that you lived, and upon that you died and upon that you will be resurrected, with the permission of Allāh.’

[eny · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within a glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from the oil of a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah sets forth examples for mankind, and Allah is All-Knower of all things."
[24:35]

may Allah swt keep us under His light and keep our hearts firm on His Deen, ameen <3

[hiba ☕︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

These are just some of the secrets and wisdom contained within this magnificent example, which may be just a drop from the ocean as we comprehend but a little from the secrets of Allāh due to our state of mind, weak hearts, deficient knowledge and deeds that necessitate the seeking of forgiveness. For indeed, if our hearts were purified, our minds were clear, our souls were in order and our deeds were performed with sincerity and devotion, we would have derived many remarkable meanings and wisdom from the Words of Allāh; wisdom that overshadows all other intellects.

The whole time I was reading this, I felt a heavy shame weigh down on my chest. Imam Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) was so blessed with Allah’s Mercy to be able to understand His Book so deeply. This entire book was a gem, a secret treasure. My favorite chapters were the verses 17-19 in Surah Baqarah—three verses that he spent almost 20 pages expanding on, Allahu Akbar. This is why I was ashamed. How surface level we take the Qur’an when those much more pious than us were blessed with the Nūr of insight.

May Allah forgive us for the sins that prevent us from understanding His Book, may He show us Mercy when we sin, even though we do not deserve it. May Allah protect us from riya’ and kabriya’, the destroyer of good deeds. May Allah grant us knowledge of His Book even though we do not deserve it. Ameen.

[wajiha · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fav :’)

[Shamaila]

Absolutely loved this, some key themes and parables well explained by the author that crop up in the Quran. Concise, informative, inspiring and brilliantly put together. Worth reading and a good reminder.

[Salah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muslims regard the Qur’an is an inexhaustible ocean of guidance for humanity. One of the main tools it uses to impart this guidance is amthāl (parables). This book goes into detail on its various applications.

These parables present to us illustrations we can all understand in order to strike home a powerful and resounding message that should make us reflect (59:21).

In this book, ibn al-Qayyim picks out and unlocks the hidden gems contained in some of the key parables from the Qur’an. However, being a translated work, the English was awkward in places but I can’t really complain. It was actually a reminder to learn Arabic if I want to access this vast world of Islamic scholarship directly.

This book will make for excellent Ramadan reading. Sh. @yasir.qadhi recommended it in his Ramadan series last year so check that out and @kubepublishing actually turned that series into a book so check that out as well!

I’ll end with this discussion from the first chapter that truly amazed me and made me realise I really need to be reflecting on the Qur'an more deeply because so much exists beneath the surface.
This is a parable contrasting truth with falsehood and the symbolism used is extremely profound.

“He sends water from the sky that fills riverbeds to overflowing, each according to its measure. The stream carries on its surface a growing layer of froth, like the froth that appears when people melt metals in the fire to make ornaments and tools: in this way God illustrates truth and falsehood- the froth disappears, but what is of benefit to man stays behind- this is how God makes illustrations.” (13:17 Abdel Haleem)

The water being sent is divine guidance that is equally accessible to all standing beneath it. Our hearts are the streams, some deeper and more voluminous than others as receptacles for guidance. The froth is the sins and spiritual diseases within ourselves. So just as metals are smelted to remove the impurities, and just as a torrent of rain is needed to clean out a stream, our hearts too require the uncomfortable process of purification. Bitter medicine, as it were. Ultimately, through the aid of divine guidance, we must overcome our egos and all other spiritual defects so that we can be purified agents of goodness.

[نرمين · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is someone who was dead and whom We brought to life, supplying him with light by which to walk among people, the same as someone who is in utter darkness, unable to emerge from it? - surah Al An’am (:122)
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This is the state of the hypocrite; he affirms belief on his tongue but does not believe or have love in his heart; as such what light he acquires as a result of this is borrowed.
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Az-Zamakhsharī said, ‘The religion of Islam has been likened to the cloud, because hearts are given life by it as the Earth is by water; disbelief has been likened to darkness; threat and promise has been likened to thunder and lightning; and trials and tribulations that terrify the disbelievers have been likened to thunderclaps.

[فرحان · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Those who lack spiritual insight are weak of faith: those who see the threats, promises, commands, and prohibitions that are to be found in the Quran as ordinances that are too heavy for their egos which desire only to follow their lusts. These ordinances wean the soul of its base qualities. Weaning is truly difficult for the child; and all men are children with respect to their intellects with the exception of those who have weaned and regulated them, and as such have comprehended the truth by way of knowledge and action. It is such people who are able to see what is behind this storm-cloud; what is behind the darkness, thunder and lightning; it is such people who realise that this storm cloud is the source of life for existence.”

[M B · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a beautiful read! really makes me ponder on other verses whilst reading the Quran and allowing me to widen my understanding.

one notable favourite from the book was how the author explored the verses in Surah Ibrahim (14:24-25) about the good tree:

“have you not considered how Allah presents an example [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and it’s branches (high) in the sky?…”

& how Allah likens the ‘good word’ to the ‘good tree’ because simply: the outcome of a good word is a good deed. And a good tree produces ‘beneficial and good fruits’. (the fruits represent how Allah swt rewards us for our good deeds)

the author breaks this verse down and relates it back to the importance of tawhid and how the tree here is an example of iman (faith) in Islam within the heart of a believer and how it must “regularly be watered with good and beneficial deeds and it must be protected and strengthened by accustoming it to the remembrance of Allah and His book; otherwise it may become dry and lifeless”. (Page 78)

[Azura · Rating 5 out of 5]

"all three routes to guidance were barred them .'Deaf ,dumb and blind ,'guidance comes to a servant from three doors :what he hears with his ears ;what he sees with his eyes ;and what he understands with his heart ;these people's hearts are unable to comprehend ,they cannot see ,and neither can they hear"

The closing chapter of this book talks about the characteristics of hypocrites, the examples presented throughout the book, ought to remind us to not be like them for His signs have come to us.

May Allah bless the author & everyone involved in translating and making the book possible.

[NAZATUL · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who does not speak Arabic like me, Paragon of the Quran is a wonderful and concise book that explains the parabels and examples in the Quran.What i love is the connection to science, ie explanation about characters of the animals, property of light/plants etc.We read Quran and its translation all the time, sometimes we thought yes, we understand what it means but this book open up a deeper meaning behind the verses that i have never think of.
Highly recommended!

[Amal Jamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise chapters that deal with different sets of parables that Allah uses in the Quran to explain certain aspects or to draw comparisons. I particularly love the way Ibn Qayyim writes about the parable of light & darkness — but ultimately, it’s wonderful because Allah SWT has employed the parables so beautifully in His Book.

[Aisha Oredola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paragons of the Qur'an is a wholesome light read that dissects so many parables in Quranic verses. In 22 chapters, the reader will understand certain analogies the Qur'an makes.

Backed up with hadiths (prophetic teachings) and diverse scholarly opinions, Imam Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah, was able to explain a lot and educate us on a lot. The Qur'an's original language is Arabic and for we, non Arabic speakers, there are translations into English and other languages but just like how diverse and rich Yoruba is, for example, no matter the English translation, you'll still not get the roots of the language.

So, the author did a fine job of expanding and broadening the parables to enlighten us and make us open our minds and brains into how deep the Holy Qur'an is. I feel this is an essential read for everyone who wants to understand how Quranic parables work. Some examples of analogies in verses which were broken down are:

1.) The Likeness of the Polytheist with the Spider's Home.

2.) Negation of a Proposition Due to the Negation of its reason.

3.) Backbiting & Tearing of the flesh.

4.) Fire & Water – I found this one so engaging! The book talked about the light and darkness that the two elements possess and how powerful and significant they are in comparison to the light and darkness of the soul.

Anyway, I highly recommend this.

Above is…
MY FIRST REVIEW IN 2020

Now 5 years later, I’m here to say READ THIS BOOK.

[afi ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book