Overview (Verses 32 - 34)

A Gulf Too Wide
 
This passage is followed by a story of two men and two gardens, given as an example of what is permanently valuable and what is no more than transitory. It paints two examples of human beings: the first seeks pride in the luxuries of this world, while the other is fully content with his relationship with God. Each is seen in practical life. The first who, in the Qur’ānic example, has two gardens delineates a man dazzled with riches. He feels himself powerful with what he has been given, so he forgets the Supreme Power who controls everything in people’s lives, and thinks that his wealth is permanent. This gives him a feeling that his power is everlasting.
 
The other is a believer who derives his position and status through faith. He always remembers his Lord, realizing that the blessings he enjoys are in themselves evidence of the One who grants all such blessings. Hence, he knows that he should always  praise  his  Lord  and  express  his  gratitude  to  Him  for  what  he  has  been granted: Set forth to them the case of two men, to one of whom We gave two vineyards and surrounded them with date palms, and placed a field of grain in between. Each of the two gardens yielded its produce and never failed to do so in any way. In the midst of them We caused a stream to flow. And so [the man] had fruit in abundance. (Verses 32-34) The two gardens are full of fruit, having vineyards which are made even more splendid with a siege of date palms. In between the two gardens is a large field which the man uses to cultivate grains and other plants. A river running in between the two gardens adds much that is pleasant to the whole scene, because the running water reassures the owner of inexhaustible produce that, in turn, bring much wealth.
 
“Each of the two gardens yielded its produce and never failed to do so in any way.” (Verse 33) This is again a picture of continuing prosperity. What is worth noting here is that in the original Arabic text, negating any failure by the two gardens to yield their produce is described as ‘doing no wrong or injustice’ in that respect. This gives an element  of  contrast  with  their  owner  who  does  himself  great  wrong,  by  being arrogant and ungrateful to God for all the blessings he enjoys. He does not praise his Lord for what He has given him. This is an action full of conceit which means, in effect, that he is unfair to himself.

We actually see the man going into one of his gardens, gratified as he looks at it. He  is  full  of  pride,  strutting  like  a  peacock,  calling  for  admiration.  He  speaks arrogantly to his friend whom he knows to be of limited means: “This man said once to his friend, in the course of a discussion between them, More wealth have I than you, and more power and followers.’” (Verse 34)