Goat-herd (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 171)

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


Allah then made a parable of the disbelievers, just as He said in another Ayah:

Similarly, Allah said here (2:171 above)

And the example of those who disbelieve meaning, in their injustice, misguidance and ignorance, they are just like wandering animals, not understanding what they are told; if the shepherd heralds them or calls them to what benefits them, they would not understand what is actually being said to them, for they only hear unintelligible sounds. This is what is reported from Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, `Ikrimah, `Ata', Al-Hasan, Qatadah, `Ata' Al-Khurasani and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas.

They are deaf, dumb, and blind. means, they are deaf, as they do not hear the truth; mute, as they do not utter it; and blind, as they do not see or recognize its path and way.

So they do not understand. means, they do not comprehend or understand anything.


Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version.