[2:265-266] But the likeness of those who expend their wealth, seeking God's good pleasure, and to confirm themselves is as the likeness of a garden upon a hill; a torrent smites it and it yields its produce twofold; if no torrent smites it, then dew, and God sees what you do. * Would any of you wish to have a garden of date-palms and vines, with rivers flowing beneath it, for him there is in it all manner of fruit, then old age smites him, and he has seed, but they are weak; then a whirlwind with fire smites it, and it is consumed. So, God makes clear the signs to you, so that you might reflect.
These are numerous signs which God mentions by way of striking similitudes for the one who is sincere and the hypocrite, for the one who expends in the way of God and the one who expends his wealth in vain. These will obtain honor and recompense (khalaf) for themselves and those will receive only rejection in the present and nothing but ruin (talaf) in the end. The effort of these remains worthy of thanks (mashkūr), while those leave behind destruction (thubūr) and come to a blazing flame. The works of these thrive, their wealth grows, their states rising high before God, and their end will be communion. The works of those will come to nothing; their states will be of loss, their hopes sealed by misfortune, and their curse doubled for them.
It is said the similitude of these is like one who planted seed, his property thrived, and his surplus grew. His branch became high and his benefit multiplied. The similitude of those is like one whose bargaining has failed, his commodity stolen, and his stratagem weakened in old age. His tribulations continued one after the other, in every way and in every time. How can these two be equal as an example? Do they have any resemblance to one another?