Al-Qur'an Surah Hud Verse 24

Mufti Taqi Usmani

The example of the two groups is that of a blind and deaf person on the one hand, and a seeing and hearing one on the other. Are the two equal when compared? Would you still pay no heed?

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

The example of these two parties is that of the blind and the deaf, compared to the seeing and the hearing. Can the two be equal? Will you not then be mindful?

Ruwwad Translation Center

The similitude of the two parties is that of the blind and deaf, compared to the seeing and hearing. Are they equal? Will you not then take heed?

A. J. Arberry

The likeness of the two parties is as the man blind and deaf, and the man who sees and hears; are they equal in likeness? Will you not remember?

Abdul Haleem

These two groups are like the blind and the deaf as compared with those who can see and hear well: can they be alike? How can you not take heed?

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearing. Are the twain equal in likeness? Admonished are ye not then?

Abdullah Yusuf Ali

These two kinds (of men) may be compared to the blind and deaf, and those who can see and hear well. Are they equal when compared? Will ye not then take heed?

Abul Ala Maududi

The example of the two parties is that one is blind and deaf, and the other capable of seeing and hearing. Can the two be equals? Will you, then, not heed?'

Ahmed Ali

The semblance of these two groups is that of a man who is deaf and blind, and the other who can hear and see. Can they be equal? Why do you not reflect?

Ahmed Raza Khan

The example of the two groups is like one being blind and deaf, and the other seeing and hearing; are they equal in condition? So do you not ponder?

Ali Quli Qarai

The parable of the two parties is that of one who is blind and deaf and one who sees and hears. Are they equal in comparison? Will you not then take admonition?

Ali Ünal

These two classes of people are like the blind and deaf, and the seeing and hearing. Can they be likened to each other? Will you not, then, reflect and be mindful?

Amatul Rahman Omar

The case of these two groups (of disbelievers and believers) is like (the case of) the blind and the deaf (on the one hand) and the seeing and the hearing (on the other). Can the case of the two be alike? Will you not even then take heed?

English Literal

The two groups`/parti es` example/proverb (is as) the blind, and the deaf, and the seeing , and the hearing , do they become (an) equal/alike example/proverb? So do you not mention/remember ?

Faridul Haque

The example of the two groups is like one being blind and deaf, and the other seeing and hearing; are they equal in condition? So do you not ponder?

Hamid S. Aziz

Verily, those who believe and do what is right, and humble themselves before their Lord, they are the Fellows of the Garden; they shall dwell therein.

Hilali & Khan

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?

Maulana Mohammad Ali

Surely those who believe and do good and humble themselves before their Lord, these are the owners of the Garden; therein they will abide.

Mohammad Habib Shakir

The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seeing and the hearing: are they equal in condition? Will you not then mind?

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall

The similitude of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer. Are they equal in similitude? Will ye not then be admonished?

Muhammad Sarwar

Can the two groups, the blind and the deaf, be considered equal to those who have vision and hearing? Will you then not take heed?

Qaribullah & Darwish

The likeness of the two parties is as one who is blind and deaf, and one that sees and hears, are they equally alike, will you not remember?

Safi-ur-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri

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

Wahiduddin Khan

These two groups are like the blind and the deaf as compared with those who can see and hear. Can the two be equal? Will you not then understand?

Talal Itani

The parable of the two groups is that of the blind and the deaf, and the seeing and the hearing. Are they equal in comparison? Will you not reflect?

Tafsir jalalayn

The likeness, the description, of the two parties, the disbelievers and the believers, is as the blind and the deaf, this being the likeness of the disbeliever, and the one who sees and the one who hears, this being the likeness of the believer, are they equal in likeness? No! Will you not then remember? (tadhakkarn; the original t' [of tatadhakkarn] has been assimilated with the dhl) [will you not then] be admonished?

Tafseer Ibn Kathir

مَثَلُ الْفَرِيقَيْنِ

The likeness of the two parties,

This refers to those disbelievers whom Allah first described as wretched, and then those believers whom He described with delightfulness.

كَالَاعْمَى وَالَاصَمِّ وَالْبَصِيرِ وَالسَّمِيعِ

The likeness of the two parties is as the blind and the deaf and the seer and the hearer.

The first group is like one who is blind and deaf, while the second group is like he who sees and hears.

Thus, the disbeliever is blind from the truth in this life and in the Hereafter. He is not guided to goodness, nor does he recognize it. He is deaf from hearing the proofs, thus he does not hear that which would benefit him.

As Allah says,

وَلَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا لَاسْمَعَهُمْ

Had Allah known of any good in them, He would indeed have made them listen. (8;23)

The believer is smart, bright and clever. He sees the truth and distinguishes between the truth and falsehood. Thus, he follows the good and abandons the evil. He hears and distinguishes between the proof and scepticism. Therefore, falsehood does not overcome him.

هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلً

Are they equal when compared!

ie are these two types of people alike!

أَفَلَ تَذَكَّرُونَ



Will you not then take heed!

This statement means, "Will you not consider, so that you may distinguish between these two categories of people."

This is as Allah mentions in another verse,

لَا يَسْتَوِى أَصْحَـبُ النَّارِ وَأَصْحَـبُ الْجَنَّةِ أَصْحَـبُ الْجَنَّةِ هُمُ الْفَأيِزُونَ

Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful. (59;20)

Allah also says,

وَمَا يَسْتَوِى الاٌّعْمَى وَالْبَصِيرُ

وَلَا الظُّلُمَاتُ وَلَا النُّورُ

وَلَا الظِّلُّ وَلَا الْحَرُورُ

وَمَا يَسْتَوِى الاٌّحْيَأءُ وَلَا الاٌّمْوَاتُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُسْمِعُ مَن يَشَأءُ وَمَأ أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَّن فِى الْقُبُورِ

إِنْ أَنتَ إِلاَّ نَذِيرٌ

إِنَّأ أَرْسَلْنَـكَ بِالْحَقِّ بَشِيراً وَنَذِيراً وَإِن مِّنْ أُمَّةٍ إِلاَّ خَلَ فِيهَا نَذِيرٌ

Not alike are the blind and the seeing. Nor are (alike) darkness and light. Nor are (alike) the shade and the sun's heat. Nor are (alike) the living and the dead.

Verily, Allah makes whom He wills to hear, but you cannot make hear those who are in graves. You are only a warner.

Verily, We have sent you with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a warner. And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them. (35;19-24