The verse (2:74) describes the Children of Israel's hearts as hardening "like stones or even harder," contrasting them with stones that exhibit responsiveness. The text then details three phenomena concerning stones: rivers gushing forth, water splitting forth, and stones falling down "for fear of Allah."

Ibn Kathir clarifies that the last phenomenon, stones falling for fear of Allah, is not merely a metaphor. He states that Allah "creates this characteristic - humbleness - in stones." This is supported by cross-references to other Quranic verses (e.g., 33:72, 17:44, 55:6, 41:11, 59:21), which indicate that inanimate objects possess a degree of awareness or responsiveness to Allah's command or presence. For instance, mountains were offered the 'Amanah' (33:72) and the heavens and earth responded "willingly" (41:11). Prophetic narrations further corroborate this, mentioning Mount Uhud's love for the Prophet and a stone in Makkah greeting him with Salam.

Therefore, the phenomenon of stones falling "for fear of Allah" is presented as a real, divinely-instilled characteristic of certain inanimate objects, not merely a metaphorical expression. While the exact manifestation of "fear of Allah" in stones may not be commonly perceived by humans, the Quranic and Prophetic texts affirm its reality as a phenomenon created by Allah.

📚 Sources: Classical tafsir (multi-source)