Back to full surahوَضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلَيْنِ أَحَدُهُمَا أَبْكَمُ لَا يَقْدِرُ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ كَلٌّ عَلَىٰ مَوْلَاهُ أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ لَا يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ ۖ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي هُوَ وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ ۙ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ٧٦
Wadaraba Allahu mathalan rajulayni ahaduhuma abkamu la yaqdiru AAala shayin wahuwa kallun AAala mawlahu aynama yuwajjihhu la yati bikhayrin hal yastawee huwa waman yamuru bialAAadli wahuwa AAala siratin mustaqeemin
And Allah has illustrated an example of two (such) men of whom one is dumb, has no power over anything and is a burden on his master; wherever he (the master) sends him, he brings no good. Can he (the dumb) be equal to the (other) one who (holds such an office that he) enjoins the people to do justice, and he himself also follows the straight path? (16:76)
Another Example
Mujahid said, "This also refers to idols and the True God, may He be exalted." Meaning that the idol is dumb and cannot speak or say anything, good or otherwise. It cannot do anything at all, no words, no action, it is dependent and is a burden on its master.
أَيْنَمَا يُوَجِّههُّ
(whichever way he directs him,) meaning, wherever he sends him
لاَ يَأْتِ بِخَيْرٍ
(he brings no good.) meaning, he does not succeed in what he wants.
هَلْ يَسْتَوِى
(Is such a man equal) meaning, a man who has these attributes
وَمَن يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ
(to one who commands justice) meaning fairness, one whose words are true and whose deeds are righteous.
وَهُوَ عَلَى صِرَطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
(and is himself on the straight path) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "This is also an example of the disbeliever and the believer", as in the previous Ayah.
