Allah U has provided tangible analogies for the Light of Allah U, the Belief in Allah U and the Oneness of Hım. However, He U did not give an analogy for His Essence, because He is:

﴾لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ البَصِيرُ﴿

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” [Surah Asy-Syuraa: 11]. He also says

﴾فَلا تَضْرِبُوا لِلَّهِ الأَمْثَالَ﴿

“So do not assert similarities to Allah.” [Surah An-Nahl; 74],

as you will never be able to measure the greatness of Allah’s Attributes and Actions using the measurements of the human mind.

Giving analogies is in actual fact making comparisons. With Islam comes the first instance that teaches people to make comparisons. Analogies is in fact, also a type of knowledge.

The Arabic Language is rich in analogies and expressions. These analogies or expressions could mean a whole story or incident but would be expressed in only a few words, such as the expression, (وافق شنٌّ طبقه) (Shann suits Thobaqah). The story behind this expression is the story of two men who were travelling together. One of them was fat and the other was thin. The thin man was named Shann. So Shann said to the fat man: “Do I carry you or do you carry me?” The fat man looked at him in disdain and did not answer him. As they continued their journey, they passed by a piece of fertile land. The crops were ready to be harvested. Shann said to the fat man: “Do you think these crops have been eaten or not?” The fat man answered: “Oh you ignorant fool! You see the crops all ready to be harvested and you ask if they have been eaten or not?!” Shann remained silent. Soon they entered a village where there was a funeral procession. Shann said: “Do you think the person in this coffin is alive or dead?” The fat man said: “I have never seen a person more foolish than you! You see a coffin and you ask whether the person in it is alive or dead?!” Shann remained silent and wanted to part ways with the fat man. However, the man did not agree to leave him until they reached his home, so they continued together. The fat man had a daughter named Tabaqah. When her father reached home, she asked him about his guest. So, he told her that he was his travel companion and went on to complain to her about his ignorance and all that he had said. She answered: “My dear father, that is not ignorance! When he asked you if he would carry you or would you carry him, he meant, while you were both on your way, would he make the conversation or would you. When he asked if you think the crops have been eaten or not, he meant to ask you if the owners had sold the crops off and used the profit’. And what he meant when he asked regarding the funeral was whether the deceased had left behind things with which he could be commemorated or not. The fat man went out, sat with Shann and conversed with him. Then he said: “Would you like me to interpret all that you asked me about?” Shann said: “Yes”. So, he did. Shann then said: “All that you have said is not from yourself. Do tell me who said it.” He answered: “My daughter.” So Shann asked for her hand in marriage and the fat man agreed. Shann then brought her to his family. When they saw her, they said, (وافق شنٌّ طبقة) (Shann suits Thobqah). So, it became an expression which means the cover fits its pot.