Just as no allegory can convey the taste of chocolate to someone who never tasted it, no allegory can approximate the real experience; one must wait to experience it.1, 2
The descriptions of Heaven and Hell throughout the Quran are allegorical, and the Quran says so with the word Mathal, allegory, in verses such as 2:24-26, 13:35, and 47:15.1
The word Mathal in these verses could be removed and the sentences would still be perfect, so it is there to show that the descriptions of Heaven and Hell are allegorical.1
What Heaven and Hell are really like is far beyond human comprehension, which is why allegory is needed to describe them.1
God teaches through the caterpillar, which enters a cocoon like a grave and exits as an airborne butterfly, that people leaving the grave on Resurrection Day will not be earthbound.1
God gives an example: we would never make our servants equal partners in our property, so we should not set up idols beside God.1, 2, 3, 4
Descriptions of the high heaven are allegorical because we cannot understand what awaits us, yet it is bliss beyond our dreams.1, 2
The Quran's descriptions of heaven are allegorical approximations, like describing a wedding night to a five year old as eating candy, because we cannot comprehend heaven.1, 2, 3, 4
In God's parable, the good word, the truth, is like a firmly rooted tree that lasts, while the bad word, falsehood, has no roots and does not stand.1, 2, 3
Idolatry is absurd, because we would never elevate our own servants to our level, so we should not attribute partners to God, the Creator of all things.1, 2, 3, 4
The verse about good land and bad land teaches that a person is recognized as good or bad by their actions and words, as a tree is known by its fruit.1, 2, 3
Redemption into God's kingdom requires devotion to God alone, so praying to God and Jesus together means God is not alone, just as a dinner guest bringing a servant is not alone.1, 2, 3
In high heaven water flows like a spring and there are all kinds of fruit, while in low heaven one works for water and fruit is limited; these descriptions are allegorical.1, 2, 3, 4
Like a caterpillar in its cocoon, people go into the grave and come out either as beautiful butterflies, the believers, or as ugly moths or locusts, depending on what they did here.1, 2, 3, 4
The caterpillar that becomes a butterfly is an allegory for our bodies now and our bodies in the hereafter, so right now we are in our larval stage.1, 2, 3, 4
Like inviting a guest along with his servant, adding Muhammad to God's name is shirk even when acknowledging Muhammad as God's servant.1, 2
God uses nature to teach lessons; as an opposing wind keeps the dune sand in place, God's power fights evil and keeps us from being scattered and lost.1, 2
Many Quran verses about gardens, crops, and food are allegorical descriptions of Heaven and Hell.1
The Quran's physical descriptions of Heaven are allegorical, using things that please us in this world to help us understand the Hereafter.1
God tells stories in the Quran not to entertain us but to teach us lessons, and the Quran gives the most accurate history.1, 2, 3
In the parable of the two gardens, money made the owner arrogant, made him think he was immune to trouble, and made him forget God and the growth of his soul.1, 2
People who reject God's proofs cling to their own opinions like a panting dog, loving their opinions more than the truth no matter what truth is offered.1, 2, 3
Trust alone does not heal, just as a patient who trusts his doctor but never takes the prescribed medicine will not get well.1
The Quran cites every kind of example, woven in not only linguistically but also mathematically, which makes its consistency even more miraculous.1, 2
God has decreed that truth shall prevail and falsehood shall vanish, like foam that goes to waste while what benefits people remains.1, 2
It is more blessed to give than to receive.1
The Quran describes Heaven and Hell in graphic allegories so that we can envision something of their joy or pain.1
Prosperity tends to make people forgetful of God and proud, as in the example of the garden owners whose crop was destroyed.1, 2
God brings idols down to the level of a fly, showing that both are helpless.1, 2
God compares one who follows disputing sources, the Hadith, to one who follows a single consistent source, the Quran, and they are not the same.1
God cites allegories, from the mosquito to greater things, which only the knowledgeable appreciate, and through them He guides many and misleads only the wicked.1, 2
The parable of the man with two gardens shows that relying solely on ourselves without acknowledging God's will leads to failure and despair.1
Jesus taught that we show love for God by how we use the life God entrusted to us. We fail to love others when we cause suffering or fail to relieve it when we can.1, 2
At death our body, possessions, and family all stay behind, and only our soul goes on with us to the Day of Judgment.1, 2, 3, 4
Happiness does not equal worldly success, as shown by the Quran's story of two men with gardens where the one who ignored God ended up sorrowful.1, 2, 3
Just as the light in the allegory is neither eastern nor western, God's light is everywhere, just as God is everywhere.1
The works of disbelievers are like a mirage that a thirsty person thinks is water, and when he reaches it he finds God there to requite him fully.1
God gives the best examples and allegories in the Quran so people can appreciate some of His mercy, compassion, and greatness.1
In the parable of the man dealing with disputing partners, hadith collections are the disputing partners while the Quran is the one consistent source.1, 2
The Quran likens those who accept other masters beside God to the spider's flimsy home, because idols seem strong but one sweep of God's hand reduces them to nothing.1, 2
When adversity is at its worst, we should be like the coffee bean, growing better and making things better around us instead of weakening or becoming hardened.1, 2, 3
God compares the good word to a good tree with firm roots and high branches that produces its crop every season.1
God guides to His light whoever wills to be guided, and He cites parables for the people.1
Believers must not nullify their charities with reproach and insult or by giving to show off, which is like soil washed off a rock.1, 2