Question

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 stepson 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: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar