“Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
These verses refer to the hypocrites in the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, who pretended to accept Islam in order to gain worldly benefits, such as the spoils of war. The thunder and lightning could be referring to Islam and the responsibilities attached to it, such as using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. As the hypocrites disliked the responsibilities of Islam, they attempted to ignore them, just like someone who blocks their ears with their fingers trying to ignore what is said to them. Every time new verses of the Holy Quran were revealed from the Heavens, just like rain descends from the Heavens, it is as if death had descended upon them, as these verses directly challenged their desires. Chapter 9 At Tawbah, verse 64:
“The hypocrites are apprehensive lest a surah be revealed about them, informing them of what is in their hearts…”
And chapter 63 Al Munafiqun, verse 4:
“…they think that every shout is against them…”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verses 19-20:
“…They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death…The lightning almost snatches away their sight.”
These types of people may fool others into believing that they are devote muslims yet Allah, the Exalted, has encompassed them with His knowledge and power. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 19:
“…But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers.”
As a result of their evil intentions, they good actions will be wasted in this world and Allah, the Exalted, will ensure they are humiliated in both worlds. Chapter 25 Al Furqan, verse 23:
“And We will approach what they have done of deeds and make them as dust dispersed.”
As they have outwardly accepted Islam, when the light of Islam is shown to them they fulfill its easy aspects. But whenever they face the inevitable tests and difficulties of accepting Islam, they refuse to move forward in the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 20:
“…Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]…”
This is like the muslim who is pleased with Allah, the Exalted, when they face times of ease but when they face difficulties they become angry and disobedient, as if they should be spared all difficulties just because they accepted Islam. Chapter 22 Al Hajj, verse 11:
“And of the people is he who worships Allah on an edge. If he is touched by good, he is reassured by it; but if he is struck by trial, he turns on his face. He has lost [this] world and the Hereafter. That is what is the manifest loss.”
Irrespective of if a person is obedient to Allah, the Exalted, or not, they will face tests and difficulties in this world, as this is the very purpose of life in this world. Chapter 67 Al Mulk, verse 2:
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is better in deed…”
A person is tested with times of ease to see whether they show gratitude to Allah, the Exalted, by using the blessings He has granted them in ways pleasing to Him. And a person is tested with times of difficulties to see whether they remain patient. This involves avoiding complaining through one’s speech or actions and remaining sincerely obedient to Allah, the Exalted, at all times. The one who behaves in this manner will succeed in every situation they face. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 7500. A muslim must strive to learn and understand this truth by adopting certainty of faith. Certainty of faith will aid a muslim to remain firm in both times of ease and difficulties. Certainty of faith is achieved by learning and acting on the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, so that one truly understands the consequences of remaining firm on the obedience of Allah, the Exalted, in both times of ease and difficulties and the consequences of failing to do so. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
And chapter 20 Taha, verse 124:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.”
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 19:
“Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allāh is encompassing of the disbelievers.”
A muslim can mimic the attitude mentioned in this verse by ignoring the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as if they have stuck their fingers in their ears refusing to listen, understand and act on these two sources of guidance. A muslim must understand that the concept of ignorance is bliss will never hold up in the court of Allah, the Exalted. In fact, this attitude does not even hold up in worldly situations, as the person who has taken on a responsibility, such as becoming a licensed driver, is obliged to learn and act upon the rules attached to it, such as respecting the speed limits. Similarly, the one who has accepted Islam, has accepted the responsibilities which accompany it, such as the responsibility of learning and acting on the two sources of guidance. Therefore, ignoring the teachings of Islam and then claiming ignorance will never be accepted by Allah, the Exalted, on Judgement Day. In addition, the ignorant is bliss attitude will not prevent them from facing the consequences of their actions in this world or the next. As indicated by the last part of this verse, this is an inevitable and unescapable reality every single person will face. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 19:
“…But Allāh is encompassing of the disbelievers.”
In addition, ignorance only leads to the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, as the one who is ignorant lacks the knowledge to obey Him, which involves using the blessings one has been granted in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Therefore, ignorance of Islamic teachings only leads to a miserable life in this world and difficulties in the next. Chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 20:
“The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
Even though this type of person behaves hypocritically with Allah, the Exalted, and only obeys Him for the sake of worldly gain and only during times of ease, none the less, Allah, the Exalted, still grants them opportunity after opportunity to mend their ways. He allows their faculties to remain intact so that they can recognize and accept right guidance, as they have outwardly accepted the light of faith, unlike the person mentioned in the previous verses, who denied the light of faith and as a result their faculties and senses were sealed. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verses 17-18:
“Their example is that of one who kindled a fire, but when it illuminated what was around him, Allāh took away their light and left them in darkness [so] they could not see. Deaf, dumb and blind – so they will not return [to the right path].”
A person must therefore take the opportunities granted by Allah, the Exalted, before they run out. They must never lose hope in the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, irrespective of what evil actions they may have done. If they are willingly to sincerely repent, then the door of forgiveness and mercy is wide open. Sincere repentance involves regretting the sins, firmly promising not to return to them, asking for forgiveness from Allah, the Exalted, and those who have been wronged, as long as this does not lead to further problems, and it involves making up for any rights which have been violated in respect to Allah, the Exalted, and people. Just like Allah, the Exalted, is capable to take away the senses and faculties of a person because of their persistent disobedience so that they continue to wander blindly in this world, He is capable of forgiving and guiding the sinner if they sincerely repent to Him. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 20:
“The lightning almost snatches away their sight…And if Allah had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.”
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