Blind and Deaf (Surah Hud 11:24)

In the preceding Ayat Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala tells us about the Disbelievers and Believers. In this Ayah we have the parable.

The Parable of the Believers and the Disbelievers

Then, Allah, the Exalted, makes a parable of the disbelievers and the believers. He says,

The likeness of the two parties This refers to those disbelievers whom Allah first described as wretched, and then those believers whom He described with delightfulness. The first group is like one who is blind and deaf, while the second group is like he who sees and hears. Thus, the disbeliever is blind from the truth in this life and in the Hereafter. He is not guided to goodness, nor does he recognize it. He is deaf from hearing the proofs, thus he does not hear that which would benefit him. As Allah says,

Had Allah known of any good in them, He would indeed have made them listen.[Surah Al-Anfal 8]

The believer is smart, bright and clever. He sees the truth and distinguishes between the truth and falsehood. Thus, he follows the good and abandons the evil. He hears and distinguishes between the proof and skepticisms. Therefore, falsehood does not overcome him. Are these two types of people alike.

Will you not then take heed This statement means, "Will you not consider, so that you may distinguish between these two categories of people.'' This is as Allah mentions in another verse,

Not equal are the dwellers of the Fire and the dwellers of the Paradise. It is the dwellers of Paradise that will be successful.[Surah Al-Hashr 59]

Allah also says,

Not alike are the blind and the seeing. Nor are (alike) darkness and light. Nor are (alike) the shade and the sun's heat. Nor are (alike) the living and the dead. Verily, Allah makes whom He wills to hear, but you cannot make hear those who are in graves. You are only a Warner. Verily, We have sent you with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner. And there never was a nation but a Warner had passed among them.[Surah Fatir 35-24]

Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version.