Quranic parables

A collection of divine analogies that reveal timeless lessons through powerful imagery, guiding hearts toward reflection and truth.

The Quranic parables are powerful illustrations filled with wisdom, designed to guide hearts and awaken minds. In just a few lines, they capture profound realities about faith, truth, and the human condition. By comparing abstract ideas to scenes from everyday life—like fire, rain, light, or darkness—Allah makes His message accessible to all, regardless of time or place.

These parables are not just literary devices; they are spiritual mirrors. They help us recognise our own states—our doubts, our arrogance, our sincerity, and our struggles—so we may correct our course and return to Him with clarity and humility. Each one offers a chance to reflect, realign, and reconnect with divine guidance.

Through them, we are reminded that the Quran is not a book of empty words, but a living message—deep, layered, and always relevant. May these reflections help you draw nearer to its meaning and illuminate your path.

A watercolor painting depicting a person standing at the edge of a massive, raging inferno. Towering flames consume everything, leaving behind only molten destruction. The intense glow of the fire illuminates the surroundings, casting an eerie, overwhelming light. The person appears to be in a state of regret or ignorance as they look toward the blazing pit. The background fades into deep darkness, emphasizing the destructive nature of the scene.

The Parable of the Profitless Trade – Exchanging Guidance for Misguidance

A watercolor painting depicting a lone figure in darkness, standing near a fading fire that once illuminated their surroundings. The diminishing light leaves the person in deep shadows, symbolising the fleeting nature of guidance when ignored. The atmosphere is eerie and contemplative, with soft, blended colours creating a dreamlike effect. The contrast between light and darkness conveys a sense of loss and uncertainty.

The Parable of the Kindled Fire – Losing Guidance After Gaining It

A watercolor painting of a dark stormy night with heavy rain and flashes of lightning. A group of men stand in uncertainty—some covering their ears in fear of the thunder, while others cautiously step forward when the lightning briefly illuminates the path. The contrast between light and darkness symbolises wavering faith and hesitation. The stormy sky, dramatic rain clouds, and sense of movement add to the atmosphere of unease and reflection.

The Parable of the Rainstorm – Hypocrisy and Fear of Truth

A watercolor painting illustrating The Parable of the Mosquito. A small, delicate mosquito hovers above an ancient, cracked structure, symbolising divine wisdom in even the tiniest of creatures. The background has a soft, ethereal blend of natural tones, creating an atmosphere of reflection and guidance. The contrast between the small mosquito and the decaying structure highlights the power of Allah’s examples, no matter how small.

The Parable of the Mosquito – A Test of Faith

Alt text: A symbolic watercolor painting of a thick golden rope, frayed and completely ripped apart in the middle, representing the severed covenant in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:27). The broken ends drift apart with strands fading away. The background is soft and abstract, emphasising the theme of separation and loss.

The Parable of the Broken Covenant – A Warning Against Severing Ties

A symbolic watercolor painting illustrating an ancient ruined town with collapsed buildings and rooftops, alongside skeletal remains of a donkey gradually being restored, set against a serene, vast sand dune background. The imagery symbolically represents resurrection and divine power, aligning with the Quranic parable from Surah Al-Baqarah (2:259).

The Parable of the Ruined Town – Resurrection and Certainty of Faith

A watercolor painting of a golden wheat field under a radiant sky. In the foreground, a single seed sprouts into a lush plant with seven full ears of grain, each filled with abundant seeds. Sunlight cascades down, symbolising divine blessings, growth, and the multiplied rewards of charity. The scene conveys a sense of generosity and spiritual abundance.

The Parable of the Seed That Multiplies – The Rewards of Charity

Watercolor painting showing a central grey rock with rain washing away a thin layer of soil, revealing its bare surface. The surrounding land is dry and cracked. In the far background, green sprouts emerge from fertile soil under soft light, symbolising sincere charity.

The Parable of the Barren Rock – Charity Nullified by Show-Offs

Watercolor painting of a lush garden on a fertile hill, receiving both heavy rain and light drizzle. Some parts of the garden are dense and flourishing, while others gently thrive, symbolising spiritual growth through sincere charity. The scene is serene with soft clouds and green hills, evoking divine nourishment and peace.

The Parable of the Fertile Garden – Sincerity in Charity

A symbolic watercolor painting shows a disoriented figure levitating with twisted limbs, surrounded by dark swirling winds, coins, and contracts. A glowing straight path leads to balanced scales in a peaceful landscape, while a crumbling bridge fades into darkness—illustrating the contrast between lawful trade and the corruption of riba.

The Parable of the One Consumed by Interest – The Distortion of Morality

Alt text: A dreamlike watercolour painting showing a barren desert landscape with cracked earth. A glowing path made of scattered luminous scrolls stretches into the distance, radiating soft golden light. A solitary faceless figure walks away from the path, while behind them dark, swirling shadows suggest sinister influences. In the foreground, a dog lies panting on the dry ground, representing a soul consumed by desire. The artwork uses soft, symbolic tones with a strong contrast between divine light and lifeless terrain.

The Parable of the Dog – Forsaking Divine Guidance

A symbolic watercolor painting depicting the parable from Surah Al-A'raf (7:179). It shows a barren, dusty landscape under a twilight sky. Aimless human figures with hollow faces wander the scene, each marked faintly with dimly glowing hearts, eyes, and ears, symbolising their unused faculties. In the foreground, cattle move steadily in a clear direction, appearing more purposeful. A dark, spiralling pit in the background represents heedlessness and misguidance. The overall palette includes muted browns, purples, and greys, creating a somber and reflective mood.

The Parable of the Cattle – Ignoring Truth Despite Having Senses

A symbolic watercolor painting inspired by Surah Yunus (10:24), showing a lush green field flourishing after rainfall, filled with various plants. The scene gradually transitions into a dry, withered section, representing the sudden end of worldly beauty. The sky shifts from bright and clear to dark and cloudy, symbolising the unexpected arrival of Allah’s command. The artwork uses soft, natural tones to reflect the temporary nature of worldly life, with no faces or religious symbols present.

The Parable of the Rainfall and Earthly Life – The Temporary Allure of Worldly Pleasures

A clear and vibrant square watercolour painting shows two men on separate paths. On the left, a man in dark clothing walks into a gloomy, shadowed landscape with a barren tree. On the right, a Muslim man in white traditional attire holds a glowing lantern and walks along a bright, winding path toward a golden tree and a warm horizon. The image symbolises the contrast between spiritual darkness and divine guidance.

The Parable of Closed Hearts – When Spiritual Senses Are Shut Off

A lone, leafless tree stands in a golden field under a dark, stormy sky. In the foreground, a pile of ashes is being scattered by the wind, symbolising the loss of deeds without faith as described in Surah Ibrahim (14:18).

The Parable of the Ashes in the Wind – Deeds Without Faith

A vivid square-format watercolour painting showing two contrasting trees on a serene landscape. On the left stands a lush, fruit-bearing tree with deep roots and vibrant green leaves, symbolising life and faith. On the right is a withered, barren tree with exposed roots and no leaves, symbolising falsehood and decay. The sky is soft blue with gentle clouds, and the ground shifts from green grass to dry soil, highlighting the contrast between growth and ruin.

The Parable of the Good Tree and the Evil Tree – The Power of Faith and Falsehood

The Parable of the Slave and the Silent Man – False gods and Powerless Partners

A vivid watercolor painting depicting two contrasting landscapes. On the left, a vibrant and peaceful town with lush greenery, a mosque with a tall minaret, and bright skies. On the right, a bleak, desolate wasteland with a twisted tree, dilapidated ruins, and a stormy sky. A winding dirt path divides the two scenes, symbolizing the stark contrast between prosperity and decay.

The Parable of the Blessed Society – Gratitude and the Consequences of Ingratitude

A vivid square-format watercolour painting depicting two men standing at a distance in a lush vineyard. The scene features rows of grapevines heavy with dark purple grapes, flanked by tall date palms and flowing with a gentle stream. The men, dressed in traditional robes and turbans, appear to be engaged in conversation, symbolising the contrast between humility and arrogance. The background includes soft rolling hills and a serene sky, with delicate brushwork and smooth, animated-style detailing throughout the landscape.

The Parable of the Two Gardens – Arrogance in Wealth and the Reality of Loss

A detailed and smooth watercolor painting illustrating the parable from Surah Al-Kahf (18:45). On the left, vibrant green plants thrive under gentle rain from a soft blue sky, symbolising the flourishing phase of worldly life. On the right, the scene transitions into golden-brown tones with withered vegetation being scattered by the wind, representing the fleeting nature of material beauty. The artwork contrasts life and decay through natural elements in a serene, symbolic composition.

The Parable of the Rain-Nourished Earth – The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Life

A symbolic watercolor painting depicting two faceless figures. One is tall and dressed in a golden robe with arms folded, standing confidently near a grand city with domes and minarets in the background. The other figure, shorter and clothed in soft blue and white, stands humbly with a bowed head. The contrasting colours and postures reflect themes of arrogance and humility.

The Parable of Worldly Arrogance – Mistaking Wealth for Divine Favour