Imām al-Qurtubī (may Allāh have mercy upon him) stated:

Why did Allāh resemble the Dunyā to the water in His statement:

…وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ
And put forward to them the example of the life of this world, it is like the water (rain) which We send down from the sky… (Soorah Al-Kahf: 45)

The wise ones have stated: Allāh resembled the Dunyā to the water (due to the following reasons):

1. The water does not reside in one place.  Likewise, the Dunyā does not remain upon one state.

2. It is because water goes and it does not remain. Likewise, the Dunyā comes to an end and it does not remain.

3. It is because no one has the ability to enter into it and not get wet. Likewise, in regards to the Dunyā, no one is safe from the trials and tribulations of it and its harm.

4. It is because the water, if it is at a (safe) measure, it is a beneficial means of cultivation. And when it goes beyond the (safe) measures, it is a destructive harm. Likewise, in regards to the Dunyā, that which is sufficient from it is beneficial; and that which is beyond the need is a harm.

Source: Al-Jāmi’ Li Aḥkāmil-Qur’ān

Translated by Abu Yusuf Khaleefah
10th of Jumādi al-Awwal, 1437 (02-19-2016)
Masjid Nur Allah, Queens, NYC

                                       Original Arabic

فائدة جليلة وجميلة للقرطبي رحمه الله حينما قال :

“لماذا شبّه الله – سبحانه – الدّنيا بالماء” عند قوله تعالى :
“واضرب لهم مثَلَ الحياة الدنيا كماءٍ أنزلناه من السّماء…”

قال الحكماء:

شبّه الله – سبحانه وتعالى – الدُّنيا بالماء:

1- ﻷنّ الماء ﻻ يستقرّ في موضع،
كذلك الدُّنيا ﻻ تبقى على حالٍ واحدة.

2- وﻷنّ الماء يذهب وﻻ يبقى،
فكذلك الدنيا تفنى. ولاتبقى.

3- وﻷنّ الماء ﻻ يَقدر أحدٌ أن يدخلَه وﻻ يبتلّ، وكذلك الدُّنيا ﻻ يسلم أحدٌ من فتنتها وآفتها.

4- وﻷنّ الماء إذا كان بقدرٍ كان نافعًا مُنبتًا، وإذا جاوز المقدارَ كان ضاراًّ مُهلكًا، وكذلك الدُّنيا ؛ الكفافُ منها ينفع، وفضولُها يضرّ”.

الجامع ﻷحكام القرآن للقرطبيّ