Parable in the Quran: Benefit of Humankind

From: www.clearvisionpk.com

He sendeth down water from the sky, so that valleys flow according to their measure, and the flood beareth (on its surface) swelling foam from that which they felt in the fire in order to make ornaments and tools riseth a foam like unto it thus Allah coineth (the similitude of) the true and: the false. Then, as for the foam, it passeth away as scum upon the banks, while, as for that which is of use to mankind, it remaineth in the earth. Thus Allah coineth the similitudes.
[Quran 13:17 – Translation by M. Pickthall]

Commentary:
This parables is another beautiful example of how natural phenomenon is used by the Quran to explain complex moral principles; in this case the difference between good and evil and how the truth endures.

Good things done for the benefit of humankind continue like the beneficial rivers, streams and metal and bad things are temporary and eventually fade away like the froth or dross. This is the moral principle presented in this parable, with an objective to promote a healthy social spirit.
This principle is universal and we can observe it in different spheres of human endeavor. It explains why some efforts are sustainable while others are obliterated, for example, political expediency, speculation, manipulation, cheating and usurious exploitation are transient. On the other hand, constitutions based on consensus and general welfare, honest business practices and endeavors which promote equity and justice flourish.

Dr. Fazlur Rahman in his book Major Themes of the Quran writes on page 59:
On the one hand, the history of civilizations is cumulative and evolutionary because while the "foam on top of a torrent disappears, that which is beneficial to mankind [alluvium] settles down upon the earth". This means that while the negative side of men's conduct departs, the constructive side does leave a positive legacy for mankind.

The Quran has presented this principle in many other verses. In the parable of goodly word is like a goodly tree, the Quran tells us that if we believe in goodly words and do good deeds in its guidance, our deeds will endure and give benefits to everyone like the fruits of a firmly established tree.

In the parable of Blighted Garden we saw that deeds guided by narrow and selfish interests never prosper.

The Quran also tells us that a good deed brings rewards which is many times over.
Whoso bringeth a good deed will receive tenfold the like thereof, while whoso bringeth an ill deed will be awarded but the like thereof; and they will not be wronged. [ 6:160]

Abdullah Yusuf Ali writes in his commentary:
In the physical world the water is pure and beneficial. But the froth and scum will gather according to local conditions. As the flood will carry off the scum and purify the water, so will the flood of Allah's spiritual mercy carry away our spiritual scum and purify the water. The froth may make a greater show on the surface, but it will not last. So will there be frothy knowledge which will disappear, but Allah's Truth will endure.

Moral of the parable All the mercy, knowledge and wisdom is from Allah and is distributed according to a measure. Good efforts for the benefit of humankind flourish and evil is obliterated. We must weigh our social actions by this criteria. Corruption has a short life and gives no long term benefit and good deeds are enduring and beneficial for all.