English Translation of Al-Quran
[30].Surah Ar-Rum [The Romans]
Ayat 24. And among His (Allah’s) Signs is that He shows you the lightning, by way of fear and hope, and He sends down water (rain) from the sky, and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand.
Tafseer of Surah Al Rum (The Romans) Ayat 24. And among His Signs, He shows you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope, and He sends down rain from the sky and with it gives life to the earth after it is dead: verily in that are Signs for those who are wise. Cf. 13:12 . To cowards’ lightning and thunder appear as terrible forces of nature: lightning seems to kill and destroy where its irresistible progress is not assisted by proper lightning-conductors. But lightning is also a herald of rain-bearing clouds and showers that bring fertility and prosperity in their train. This double aspect is also symbolic of spiritual fears and hopes-fears lest we may not be found receptive or worthy of the irresistible perspicuous Message of Allah, and hopes that we may receive in the right spirit and be blessed by its mighty power of transformation to achieve spiritual well-being. Note that the repetition of the phrase “gives life to the earth after it is dead” connects this verse with verse 19 above: in other words, the Revelation, which we must receive with wisdom and understanding, is a Sign of Allah’s own power and mercy, and is vouchsafed in order to safeguard our own final Future. Next, we must approach the higher reaches of spiritual hopes and fears, as symbolized by such subtle forces of nature as lightning and electricity, which may kill the foolish or bring prosperity in its train by rain and abundant harvests; to understand the highest spiritual hopes and fears so symbolized, we want the highest wisdom (30:24).
English Translation of Hadith
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) was passing through the bazaar with his Companions on both sides, when he saw a dead skinny lamb. He held its ear and said, “Who of you would like to have it for a dirham”. They replied, “We do not like to get it for nothing, and what shall we do with it?”. Then he (PBUH) asked, “Would you like to have it for nothing?”. They replied, “Had it been alive, it would have been defective because it is skinny; but when dead it is of no use”. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Truly, the world is more contemptible to Allah than this (the dead lamb) is to you”.
[Muslim Book 42, Chapter 01, Hadith # 7059].
Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah Ar-Rum [The Romans] Ayat 24. “Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who understand” This Hadith also shows the futility of this world for which one struggles so madly throughout his life. It is also an indication that the Prophet [SAWW](PBUH) used to seize the right opportunities to guide and teach his followers.