How Parables of Prophets Foster Sound Awareness: The Cases of Prophets Lūṭ and Shuʿayb

How Parables of Prophets Foster Sound Awareness: The Cases of Prophets Lūṭ and Shuʿayb
Yousuf Amer,
Department  of the Urdu Language and Literature, Faculty of Languages and Translation, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.
Email: prof.yousuamer.vc@azhar.edu.eg
 
Abstract:
The present paper explores the importance of attentive reading of Qur’anic parables, in general, and the parables of prophets, in particular. In all respects, divinely revealed parables represent what mankind needs for guidance and purification. Such parables address how various human ideational, moral, and economic aberrances can be treated.
Considering the extensive prophetic narrations in the Qur’an and the number of verses addressing them in various chapters, the present paper is therefore limited to two models, namely; that of Prophet Lūṭ and that of Prophet Shuʿayb. The reason behind this selective approach is the issues so addressed by the two models, being two key moral grave issues from which our world now suffers. Put differently, laicism that advocates total separation of faith and moral values from society, and homosexuality.
Through the Qur’anic verses so selected, the Prophetic sound preaching techniques and adequate treatments used are highlighted. An analytical interpretive methodology is used to approach those verses.
This is how the present paper reveals the reasons behind immortalizing, of all others, those parables as the Qur’an seeks to provide divine cure for recurring diseases in human history and across various societies. In so doing, the Glorious Qur’an has laid the necessary timeless frameworks and foundations, transcending all relevant variables of time, place, circumstances, and persons.