What is the explanation of Ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma)’s Tafsir where he states that the clouds act as strainers for rain?
Answer
I will quote the full narration below which will clarify the meaning too:
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) once asked Tubay’ Al Himyari, the step son of Ka’b Al Ahbar, did you hear Ka’b say anything regarding the clouds? Tubay’ said, I heard him say the following:
“Indeed the clouds act as sieves/strainers for the rain, were it not for the clouds when water falls from the sky, the rain would have destroyed everything that it falls upon [probably due to the force]”
(Tafsir Ibn Abi Hatim, Surah: Al Baqarah, verse: 164)
The above seems to be a Historical (Israely) Narration and should be quoted as the statement of Ka’b Al Ahbar.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar