Surah Baqarah ayat 17 Tafsir Quran 2:17

﴿مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّا أَضَاءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُ ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ﴾
[ البقرة: 17]

2:17 Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see.

Their likeness the way they are in their hypocrisy is as the likeness of one who kindled that is one who lit a fire in darkness and when it illumined all about him so that he is able to see and to feel warm and secure from those he feared God took away their light extinguishing it the plural pronoun in nūrihim takes into account the plural import of alladhī; and left them in darkness unable to see what is around them confused as to the way in fear; likewise are those who have found temporary security by professing faith but who will meet with terror and punishment upon death; these last are

Their example stands similitude exact of someone who has kindled a fire togive light to a body of companions and when the surroundings glowed with light, Allah extinguished their fire and their alacrity and quenched their light and cut them off illumination and enlightenment and left them in want of physical, spiritual and intellectual sight

The Example of the Hypocrites Allah likened the hypocrites when they bought deviation with guidance, thus acquiring utter blindness, to the example of a person who started a fire.
When the fire was lit, and illumnitated the surrounding area, the person benefited from it and felt safe.
Then the fire was suddenly extinguished.
Therefore, total darkness covered this person, and he became unable to see anything or find his way out of it.
Further, this person could not hear or speak and became so blind that even if there were light, he would not be able to see.
This is why he cannot return to the state that he was in before this happened to him.
Such is the case with the hypocrites who preferred misguidance over guidance, deviation over righteousness.
This parable indicates that the hypocrites first believed, then disbelieved, just as Allah stated in other parts of the Qur'an. Allah's statement, ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ ( Allah removed their light ) means, Allah removed what benefits them, and this is the light, and He left them with what harms them, that is, the darkness and smoke.
Allah said, وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَـتٍ ( And left them in darkness ), that is their doubts, disbelief and hypocrisy. لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ ( (So ) they could not see) meaning, they are unable to find the correct path or find its direction.
In addition, they are, صُمٌّ ( deaf ) and thus cannot hear the guidance, بِكُمْ ( dumb ) and cannot utter the words that might benefit them, عَمًى ( and blind ) in total darkness and deviation.
Similarly, Allah said, فَإِنَّهَا لاَ تَعْمَى الاٌّبْصَـرُ وَلَـكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِى فِى الصُّدُورِ ( Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind ) ( 22:46 ) and this why they cannot get back to the state of guidance that they were in, since they sold it for misguidance.

(2:17) Their condition may be described in a parable: a man kindled a fire and when it illuminated all around him, Allah took away the light from their eyes and left them in utter darkness, where they could not see anything. *16

Their example is that of one who meaning

*16).
This means that two opposite effects emerged when a true servant of God radiated the light which made it possible to distinguish true from false and right from wrong, and made the straight way distinct from the ways of error.
To those endowed with true perception, all truths became evident.
But those who were almost blinded by the worship of their animal desires perceived nothing.

The expression, 'Allah took away the light of their perception' should not create the impression that these people were not responsible for their stumbling into darkness.
Only those who do not seek the Truth, who prefer error to guidance and who are adamantly disinclined to pursue the Truth despite its luminosity, are deprived, by God, of the light of their perception.
God simply enables such people to do what they wish.

 

The Example of the Hypocrites Allah likened the hypocrites when they bought deviation with guidance, thus acquiring utter blindness, to the example of a person who started a fire.
When the fire was lit, and illumnitated the surrounding area, the person benefited from it and felt safe.
Then the fire was suddenly extinguished.
Therefore, total darkness covered this person, and he became unable to see anything or find his way out of it.
Further, this person could not hear or speak and became so blind that even if there were light, he would not be able to see.
This is why he cannot return to the state that he was in before this happened to him.
Such is the case with the hypocrites who preferred misguidance over guidance, deviation over righteousness.
This parable indicates that the hypocrites first believed, then disbelieved, just as Allah stated in other parts of the Qur'an. Allah's statement, ذَهَبَ اللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ ( Allah removed their light ) means, Allah removed what benefits them, and this is the light, and He left them with what harms them, that is, the darkness and smoke.
Allah said, وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِي ظُلُمَـتٍ ( And left them in darkness ), that is their doubts, disbelief and hypocrisy. لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ ( (So ) they could not see) meaning, they are unable to find the correct path or find its direction.
In addition, they are, صُمٌّ ( deaf ) and thus cannot hear the guidance, بِكُمْ ( dumb ) and cannot utter the words that might benefit them, عَمًى ( and blind ) in total darkness and deviation.
Similarly, Allah said, فَإِنَّهَا لاَ تَعْمَى الاٌّبْصَـرُ وَلَـكِن تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِى فِى الصُّدُورِ ( Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind ) ( 22:46 ) and this why they cannot get back to the state of guidance that they were in, since they sold it for misguidance.

( Their likeness ), the likeness of the hypocrites vis--vis Muhammad ( pbuh ) ( is as the likeness of one who kindleth fire ), lights a fire in the darkness in order to provide safety for his family, property and person, ( and when it sheddeth its light around him ), when it sheds its light and he sees what is around him and feels secure, at that very moment the Fire is put out. Likewise, the hypocrites believed openly in Muhammad ( pbuh ) as well as in the Qur’an and by doing so they felt their persons, families and properties were safe, avoiding in the process imprisonment or death. But when they die ( Allah taketh away their light ), the benefit of their [ outward ] faith, ( and leaveth them in darkness ) facing the hardships of the grave, ( where they cannot see ) any comfort. It is also said this simile refers to the Jews. In this respect, the likeness of the Jews vis--vis Muhammad ( pbuh ) is like a man who raises a flag in a lost battle and by doing so attracts other defeated fighters. But when they gather they put their flag down and, consequently, their benefit and safety immediately vanish. Similarly, the Jews used to say that Muhammad ( pbuh ) and the Qur’an, prior to its revelation, would support them. When it was revealed however they denied it and Allah took away their light, i.e. their desire to believe and the benefit of such belief. This is because although they wanted to believe in Muhammad ( pbuh ) they did not do so, and consequently they were left them in the error of Judaism, unable to see guidance.

Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see.

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