2.11 Al-Baqarah — The Wisdom of Allah’s Parable of “Darkness and Lightning” for the Hypocrites

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Praise be to Allah—the Most High and Most Great—and countless blessings upon our Seal of the Prophets, Muḥammad ﷺ. May Allah be pleased with all the noble Companions.

Today I am sharing the following: when we read Sūrat al-Baqarah, we find that Allah—Most High and Most Great—mentions the hypocrites and gives a parable for them. Our Lord likens the hypocrites to the phenomena of darkness and lightning. What I want to analyze with you is: why did our Lord use these parables when describing the hypocrites? And why did He not present such a parable in the same way for other wrongdoers and disbelievers—using it specifically for the hypocrites? We will offer a brief analysis of this wisdom.

The Verses of the Parable (Al-Baqarah 17–20)

First, let us recite the verses in which our Lord gives these parables for the hypocrites. In Sūrat al-Baqarah, verses 17 to 20 speak about this:

{مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَاراً فَلَمَّا أَضَاءتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ ذَهَبَ اللّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لاَّ يُبْصِرُون}[البقرة:17]

2:17 Their example is that of someone who kindles a fire, but when it lights up all around them, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in complete darkness—unable to see.

{صُمٌّ بُكْمٌ عُمْيٌ فَهُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُون}[البقرة:18]

2:18 They are ˹wilfully˺ deaf, dumb, and blind, so they will never return ˹to the Right Path˺.

الصَّوَاعِقِ حَذَرَ الْمَوْتِ واللّهُ مُحِيطٌ بِالْكافِرِين}[البقرة:19]

2:19 Or ˹those caught in˺ a rainstorm from the sky with darkness, thunder, and lightning. They press their fingers into their ears at the sound of every thunder-clap for fear of death. And Allah encompasses the disbelievers ˹by His might˺.

{يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ كُلَّمَا أَضَاء لَهُم مَّشَوْاْ فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُواْ وَلَوْ شَاء اللّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّه عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِير}[البقرة:20]

2:20 It is as if the lightning were about to snatch away their sight. Whenever lightning strikes, they walk in its light, but when darkness covers them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.

These verses, when speaking about the hypocrites, use the parable of layered darkness, a torrential rainstorm, and thunder and lightning. They specifically describe how the lightning almost takes away their sight—then when it lights up, they seize the moment to move forward; when it disappears and darkness returns, they stop and cannot proceed. What we want to understand is: why does our Lord use these to describe the hypocrites, and what is the spiritual reality of the hypocrites?

How Scholars Explained These Images

First, let us understand how scholars explained these parables. Regarding “darkness,” scholars say it refers to the hypocrites’ doubts and their denial of their own hypocrisy. “Thunder” points to how hypocrites often live in fear and anxiety. “Lightning” indicates that, in the hypocrite’s heart, there is a fleeting flash of faith. As for “the lightning almost snatching away their sight,” it means lightning powerfully shocks their inner state, yet their capacity to grasp and remain firm is so fragile that they cannot persist in faith. “Whenever it lights for them, they walk in it; and when it becomes dark, they stop,” has been explained as: when hypocrites gain worldly honor through Islam, they feel secure for a time; but when trials and upheavals come, they retreat back into concealment and denial. This is one line of scholarly explanation found in tafsīr.

Why Parables Are Used

Now I will share with you: why did our Lord use these phenomena as parables? We know that a person’s inner spiritual reality and the states of the soul are not visible to the eye; they belong to الغيب (al-ghayb - the unseen / the hidden). So how can these realities be recognized and made clear? Explaining them through symbolic imagery is the most effective way to enable people to understand them fully.

Two Kinds of Hypocrisy

To recognize the spiritual characteristics and inner state of the hypocrites, we must first know that hypocrisy is of two types:

hypocrisy in belief, and
hypocrisy in deeds.

We understand the content of hypocrisy through these two angles. Concerning hypocrisy in belief, our Lord mentions in Sūrat al-Baqarah (verses 8 to 11) that those who are hypocritical in belief say:

{وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ آمَنَّا بِاللّهِ وَبِالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِين}[البقرة:8]

2:8 And there are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” yet they are not ˹true˺ believers.

{يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلاَّ أَنفُسَهُم وَمَا يَشْعُرُون}[البقرة:9]

2:9 They seek to deceive Allah and the believers, yet they only deceive themselves, but they fail to perceive it.

{فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ فَزَادَهُمُ اللّهُ مَرَضاً وَلَهُم عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ بِمَا كَانُوا يَكْذِبُون}[البقرة:10]

2:10 There is sickness in their hearts, and Allah ˹only˺ lets their sickness increase. They will suffer a painful punishment for their lies.

Our Lord also tells us about such people: there is sickness in their hearts, and Allah increases that sickness. From this we recognize the features of hypocrisy in belief.

As for hypocrisy in deeds, our Lord tells us in Sūrat an-Nisā’ (verses 142 to 143): when they stand to pray, they stand lazily; they do it to be seen; and they remember Allah only a little.

{إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُواْ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ قَامُواْ كُسَالَى يُرَآؤُونَ النَّاسَ وَلاَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلا}[النساء:142]

4:142 Surely the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but He outwits them. When they stand up for prayer, they do it half-heartedly only to be seen by people—hardly remembering Allah at all.

And He says they waver between belief and disbelief—belonging neither to these nor to those:

{مُّذَبْذَبِينَ بَيْنَ ذَلِكَ لاَ إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَلاَ إِلَى هَـؤُلاء وَمَن يُضْلِلِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ سَبِيلا}[النساء:143]

4:143 Torn between belief and disbelief—belonging neither to these ˹believers˺ nor those ˹disbelievers˺. And whoever Allah leaves to stray, you will never find for them a way.

Our Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, when speaking of the traits of hypocrites, mentioned behavioral signs such as: lying, breaking promises, betraying trusts, and acting immorally when disputing with others.

The Light of Human Fitrah and the Loss of That Light

Now we combine these two aspects to understand the hypocrites’ spirituality and inner reality, and the parable our Lord gives for them.

First: because the hypocrite’s faith is false and mixed with deception, the hypocrite loses the original light of human nature that people were created with. This “light of nature” refers to the covenant our Lord made with our souls before creating our bodies—so that we would recognize Him: that He is the Lord; that He alone is to be worshipped; and that no partners are to be associated with Him. This light of nature is something the human soul inherently possesses, yet often—due to parents’ misguidance, the evil commanding self and human desires, and the temptation and misguidance of humanity’s clear enemy, the jinn-devil Iblīs—many people extinguish this inner light of truth within their spirituality.

But our Lord is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. He continuously sent messengers and prophets to guide people to accept faith, possess sound belief, and carry out worship of Him. Not only can the light of nature be re-lit, but a person can once again, when facing the signs of creation, come to know and worship Him—through human conduct, the way to the Lord, and personal self-cultivation while facing the tests of ease and hardship: worshipping Allah and accepting the guidance brought by the prophets and messengers sent by our Lord. At that time, there is an external light that comes to us—an external light.

And because we also have our inner light—the light within فطر (fiṭr), that is, an inner, intrinsic light—when we accept guidance and follow it, it is as though external light has been added, becoming light upon light. Such a person is certainly not in darkness. But if we lose both the inner light of nature and the external light by refusing guidance, then the person is completely in darkness.

The Parable of Fire: An Outward Light That Is Removed

Our Lord gives the hypocrites a parable: because they accept guidance outwardly and “gain light,” merely declaring with the tongue that they believe in Allah—Most High and Most Great—believe in the Messenger, and believe in the Hereafter, while Allah knows they are deceivers. Thus, our Lord says they are like someone who lights a fire: outwardly, what they say appears true and carries the light of truth. But Allah knows they are lying; this light cannot enter the heart. So Allah takes away their light—then the external light is removed, and the inner light of nature was never lit, so they are again in darkness, seeing nothing.

Hypocrisy in Deeds: Worship for Show

Now, through hypocrisy in deeds—seeking reputation—we understand the hypocrite’s spirituality and the parable our Lord gives for them. We use prayer as an example, because the Qur’an specifically mentions hypocrites who pray for show. Of course, there is also hypocrisy regarding wealth; some even display hypocritical traits in pilgrimage; and in dealings with people there can be many hypocritical traits. But we take prayer as the example.

To pray, one performs minor ablution. Some people seek reputation: when they see others making ablution, they do it too to show that they are worshippers—so the hypocrisy begins from the ablution itself. They do not form their intention because this act is not for seeking the Lord’s pleasure. Although they do the outward obligations—standing, bowing, prostrating—the ablution is indeed done and the actions of prayer are completed; even when it is time to say “Āmīn,” they say it. Yet they still carry the traits of hypocrisy, because deep inside they do not remember Allah. These actions are indeed acts our Lord taught us through His sent prophets and messengers; and if a sincere person does them, then there is light in ablution, and light in the movements and acts of prayer—so it truly is a light, because Allah commanded it, and whoever does it receives reward and thus light.

But the hypocrite’s deeds—whether in devotion, in dealings, or in personal self-cultivation—appear as though they have performed what the Revelation guided people to do. In the Prophet’s time, hypocrites not only prayed in congregation; they also gave charity; more visibly, they even joined battles—while in reality they were causing harm. They carried out many acts of worship mentioned in the Revelation, and others witnessed that they were doing them.

The Parable of Torrential Rain: Revelation Coming from Above

Our Lord gives the parable of a torrential downpour. The Revelation is a heavenly Book—sent down by our Lord through أهل السماء (ahl as-samāʾ- the inhabitants of heaven), and through Jibrīl (peace be upon him), from the heavens to humanity. What descends from above is symbolized by rainwater. Since hypocrites’ deeds look as though they follow the Book, this appearance carries that symbolic meaning, so our Lord describes this sign with the image of a torrential rainstorm.

Thunder and Lightning: Fear Despite Outward “Righteousness”

Our Lord also mentions thunder and lightning. We Chinese people know a saying about thunder and lightning: elders often teach later generations that lightning strikes are meant to strike unfilial children and wicked evildoers. This is a form of moral encouragement and education, and it contains a kind of parable.

So why are the hypocrites afraid when they see the torrential rain, layered darkness, and lightning? Logically, their actions appear to follow the Book; the downpour should be a blessed rain. If their deeds were truly righteous—done according to the Book—why would they fear thunder? Their deeds appear to follow what our Lord prescribed; they should possess “light” like lightning—so why would they fear it, and even plug their ears with their fingers? Because Allah knows these acts are only outward—done for show—and their spirituality lacks the reality of worship. Therefore, their hearts and their soul-state are fearful.

The Flickering Light: Moving Only When Seen

The actions hypocrites do—following the Book and the Messenger’s guidance—symbolize lightning flashes. Such lightning could have re-ignited the lost light of فطر (fiṭr) within, because lightning can spark fire. But the hypocrite is satisfied with the worldly reputation and honor that “illuminates” them outwardly. When it illuminates them, they continue—for the sake of reputation and status, they move forward when lit; but when darkness returns, meaning they cannot remain consistent in doing good, they stop.

Their prayer itself is for show: when people are watching, they do it; when no one is watching, they do not. They cannot remain constant in worship. Since our Lord teaches people acts of devotion, any good that appears in action has light; but the hypocrite cannot persist, so this is like lightning that keeps flashing and fading—appearing and disappearing. It lights up, they walk a little, because they have an interest and the goal is reputation; their “good deeds” can bring some worldly benefits. But when no one is watching, and they find no benefit or praise, they stop; the lightning goes out, and they remain standing in place. Thus our Lord says they are deaf, dumb, and blind—because in that spiritual darkness they cannot find a way out, and showy good deeds cannot re-ignite the inner light of nature.

Summary: “Light upon Light” vs. Total Darkness

Now we summarize: the hypocrite’s words can indeed be true and carry light; and the actions they perform are commanded by Allah and thus also carry the light of deeds. In principle, if someone without sickness in the heart accepted guidance, then what they say and do could ignite the inner light that was extinguished. If the inner light is originally present, then adding the external light of words and deeds becomes an added light—protecting the inner light. This inner light is the covenant our Lord made with the souls of Adam’s descendants: to know Him as Lord; to worship Him alone; and not to associate partners with Him. That light of truth is the light of our nature.

With the union of body and soul, when we accept guidance, the outward words and acts of worship produce an external light that can re-ignite the extinguished inner light. If the inner light has not gone out, then the external light becomes a perfect protection for it—this is the meaning of “light upon light.”

But the hypocrite speaks and acts outwardly while not truly seeking the Lord’s pleasure or worshipping Him. Their inner light of nature cannot be ignited, so the outward light becomes flickering—bright, then dim; appearing, then vanishing. Meaning: none of the hypocrite’s “testimony” is accepted by Allah, because in Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn, verse 1, our Lord testifies that the hypocrites are liars:

{إِذَا جَاءكَ الْمُنَافِقُونَ قَالُوا نَشْهَدُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّكَ لَرَسُولُهُ وَاللَّهُ يَشْهَدُ إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ لَكَاذِبُون}[المنافقون:1]

63:1 When the hypocrites come to you ˹O Prophet˺, they say, “We bear witness that you are certainly the Messenger of Allah”—and surely Allah knows that you are His Messenger—but Allah bears witness that the hypocrites are truly liars.

Precisely because the hypocrite is a liar, their spirituality and inner reality contain no light; they are entirely within layers of darkness.

In the Hereafter: “Lend Us Some of Your Light”

After resurrection, our Lord describes the hypocrites in Sūrat al-Ḥadīd, verse 13: hypocrite men and women will say to the believing men and women, “Wait for us—let us borrow some of your light.”

{يَوْمَ يَقُولُ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتُ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا انظُرُونَا نَقْتَبِسْ مِن نُّورِكُمْ قِيلَ ارْجِعُوا وَرَاءكُمْ فَالْتَمِسُوا نُورًا فَضُرِبَ بَيْنَهُم بِسُورٍ لَّهُ بَابٌ بَاطِنُهُ فِيهِ الرَّحْمَةُ وَظَاهِرُهُ مِن قِبَلِهِ الْعَذَاب}[الحديد:13]

57:13 On that Day hypocrite men and women will beg the believers, “Wait for us so that we may have some of your light.” It will be said ˹mockingly˺, “Go back ˹to the world˺ and seek a light ˹there˺!” Then a ˹separating˺ wall with a gate will be erected between them. On the near side will be grace and on the far side will be torment.

The believer’s deeds in this world, because they accepted guidance, have light—and the light of nature has been preserved—so this is like “light upon light.” But the hypocrite is darkness.

So some scholars say: when hypocrites cross the bridge, their light will suddenly go out—why? Because the hypocrite’s outward “good” is show. For example, when a hypocrite gives charity, the recipient may truly receive warmth—using that money for needs or food. So even a hypocrite’s showy deeds in this world may flash a little light and produce a little warmth. But our Lord is free of need. He created humanity, and all creation exists to glorify Him, worship Him, and not associate anything with Him. So any deed must be done seeking His acceptance and pleasure; but the hypocrite does it for reputation and face—without remembrance of the Lord or worship. Therefore, when the Hereafter’s accounting of devotion comes, the hypocrite’s light on the bridge will immediately go out, exposing their reality. The true believer’s light surrounds them, and they cross easily. Thus we say: in this world, the hypocrite’s show may flash briefly, but in the Hereafter their light is completely extinguished.

Closing

We ask our Lord to protect us from the harm of hypocrisy, to guide us to sound faith, to perfect for us His Islam, and to make us servants who reach the station of excellence—worshipping the Lord as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, then truly He sees you. آمين !

That is all for today’s sharing. If there were any slips of the tongue or unclear explanations, I ask Allah—Most High and Most Great—to forgive me. I ask the readers to excuse me. Thank you all for sharing.

السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته

Qur’an translation source: The Clear Qur’an — Dr. Mustafa Khattab.

Search This Blog

Salam Tang Jun Academia