As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
Another Parable of the Hypocrites This is another parable which Allah gave about the hypocrites who sometimes know the truth and doubt it at other times. When they suffer from doubt, confusion and disbelief, their hearts are,
Like a Sayyib, meaning, "The rain", as Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, and several other Companions (Radhi Allahu Anuhu) have confirmed as well as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, `Ata' Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas. Ad-Dahhak said "It is the clouds." However, the most accepted opinion is that it means the rain that comes down during,
darkness, , meaning, here, the doubts, disbelief and hypocrisy.
thunder, that shocks the hearts with fear. The hypocrites are usually full of fear and anxiety, just as Allah described them,
They think that every cry is against them (Surah Al-Munafiqun 63: 4), and,
They swear by Allah that they are truly of you while they are not of you, but they are a people who are afraid. Should they find refuge, or caves, or a place of concealment, they would turn straightway thereto in a swift rush) (Surah At-Taubah 9:56-57). The lightning, , is in reference to the light of faith that is sometimes felt in the hearts of the hypocrites,
They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allah ever encompasses the disbelievers, , meaning, their cautiousness does not benefit them because they are bound by Allah's all-encompassing will and decision. Similarly, Allah said,
Has the story reached you of two hosts. Of Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and Thamud Nay! The disbelievers (persisted) in denying. And Allah encompasses them from behind!) (Surah Al-Buruj 85:17-20). ,Allah then said,
The lightning almost snatches away their sight , meaning, because the lightning is strong itself, and because their comprehension is weak and does not allow them to embrace the faith. Also, `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported that Ibn 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) commented on the Ayah,
The lightning almost snatches away their sight, , "The Qur'an mentioned almost all of the secrets of the hypocrites.'' `Ali bin Abi Talhah also narrated that Ibn `Abbas said,
Whenever it flashes for them, they walk therein, , "Whenever the hypocrites acquire a share in the victories of Islam, they are content with this share. Whenever Islam suffers a calamity, they are ready to revert to disbelief.''. Similarly, Allah said,
And among mankind is he who worships Allah on the edge: If good befalls him, he is content with that.) (Surah Al-Hajj 22:11). ,Also, Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that Ibn `Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhu) said,
Whenever it flashes for them, they walk therein, and when darkness covers them, they stand still, , "They recognize the truth and speak about it. So their speech is upright, but when they revert to disbelief, they again fall into confusion.'' This was also said by Abu Al-`Aliyah, Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and As-Suddi, who narrated it from the Companions, and it is the most obvious and most correct view, and Allah knows best.
Consequently, on the Day of Judgment, the believers will be given a light according to the degree of their faith. Some of them will gain light that illuminates over a distance of several miles, some more, some less. Some people's light will glow sometimes and be extinguished at other times. They will, therefore, walk on the Sirat (the bridge over the Fire) in the light, stopping when it is extinguished. Some people will have no light at all, these are the hypocrites whom Allah described when He said,
On the Day when the hypocrites ـmen and women ـ will say to the believers: "Wait for us! Let us get something from your light!'' It will be said to them; "Go back to you rear! Then seek a light!'' (Surah Al-Hadid 57:13).,Allah described the believers,
On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women ـ their light running forward before them and by their right hands. Glad tidings for you this Day! Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) (Surah Al-Hadid 57:12), and,
The Day that Allah will not disgrace the Prophet (Muhammad ) and those who believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them and (with their Records ـ Books of deeds) in their right hands. They will say: "Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us [and do not put it off till we cross over the Sirat (a slippery bridge over the Hell) safely] and grant us forgiveness. Verily, You are Able to do all things'' (Surah At-Tahrim 66:8). ,Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radhi Allahu Anhu) commented on,
Their Light will run forward before them, , "They will pass on the Sirat. according to their deeds. The light that some people have will be as big as a mountain, while the light of others will be as big as a date tree. The people who will have the least light are those whose index fingers will sometimes be lit and extinguished at other times.'' Ibn Abi Hatim also reported that Ibn `Abbas said, "Every person among the people of Tawhid (Islamic Monotheism) will gain a light on the Day of Resurrection. As for the hypocrite, his light will be extinguished. When the believers witness the hypocrite's light being extinguished, they will feel anxious. Hence, they will supplicate,
(Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us). , '
' Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim said, "On the Day of Resurrection, everyone who has embraced the faith will be given a light. When they arrive at the Sirat, the light of the hypocrites will be extinguished. When the believers see this, they will feel anxious and supplicate,
(Our Lord! Keep perfect our Light for us).'',And if Allah willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight. Certainly Allah has power over all things. , Muhammad bin Ishaq repoarted that ibn Abbas comments on Allah’s statement
And if Allah willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight, , because they abandoned the truth after they had knowledge in it.
Certainly Allah has power over all things, , Ibn Abbas said “Allah is able to punish or pardon His servants as He wills”. Ibn Jarir commented, “Allah only described Himself with the ability to do everything in this Ayah as a warning to the hypocrites of His control over everything, and to inform them that His ability completely encompasses them and that He is able to take away their hearing and sight.”
Reference: Tafsir ibn Kathir (abridged) English version.
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