Al-Baqarah (5)

Now, we go to examples of these people (the hypocrites) and their actual situation.

17 Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.

Such examples are set in the Qur’an so that distant meanings can be brought near for better understanding.

43. As for these similitudes, We coin them for mankind, but none will grasp their meaning save the wise. (Ankabut)

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In this example, a man lit a fire for illumination. After it lighted all around him, and he was pleased with this lightning, it was taken suddenly; nothing was left but darkness. We all know that when you are in an illumined place, and the light goes off suddenly, you cannot see anything until your eyes adjust to the darkness you are plunged into. Even after that, you may be able to see specific objects faintly in the dark. So, the situation was with the man in this example.

The other example was that of a man on a journey under an overcast sky with thunder and lightning; even though there is mercy in the rain, this traveller feared the unknown and the unpleasant sound of the thunder. He could only move when there was lightning but had to stop whenever darkness set in.

All these are examples of hypocrites.

17 Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.

18 Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

They made themselves deaf and dumb from hearing or understanding the message of truth. They chose to blind themselves from seeing the truth. They have not lost the faculty of hearing and seeing, but since they remain obdurate in their rejection of the truth, they are like a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the path).

19 Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: In it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning: They press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!

They press their fingers in their ears…’ then they were not actually deaf and dumb; they had ears but failed to hearken to the truth.

20 The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things.

The sky was overcast; there was thunder, lightning and darkness. They keep walking when they see the light but stop when the darkness grows on them.

Allah has power over all things in what is befitting to be attributed to His Majesty. He does not do foolish things.

This is the end of the description of the Munafiqeen in the 13 verses we mentioned in our previous lesson.

And now the address turns to the people:

21 O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness;

This is not confined to Muslims or non-Muslims, even though some scholars said it is to the non-Muslims because of verse 23, ‘And if ye are in doubt…’ but the better opinion is that the address is for all people – believers, kuffar and Munafiqeen.

Adore your Guardian-Lord by constant Ibaadah. For those who are not worshipping Him, they should start. Those who are already observing worship should do more.

We have said in al-Fatihah that Ibaadah could come with three different meanings. It could be prayer or signify obedience, or it could mean At-Tauheed. Here in al-Baqarah, it comes to mean the essence of Tauheed, urging people to establish Allah’s Oneness and constantly observe the Shari’ah of His religion.

O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and perfected your creation and your shape.

‘..who created you and those who came before you,…’ calling them to ponder this simple statement. If Allah created you and those who came before you, where are they now? Yes, He created them, and after that, He made them to die. Where have they gone? Therefore, as He created you, He will cause you to die as He made those before you to die and return to Him.

Of course, even the disbelievers did not object to the fact that Allah created all things. If you ask them who created the heavens and earth, they will answer, Allah. So, that was not in contention. But despite their knowledge of the creator of all things, they set up rivals to Him in worship. They carved images and idols, worshipped them and called them intercessors with Allah.

21 O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness;

‘…that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness’ means that it is not inevitable. Whatever a servant does in service to His Lord is not a guarantee for anything. His worship is part of Allah’s favours unto him. The worshipper, whatever his dedication to serve his Maker, needs acceptance. Such a servant must be between hope and fear.

55. (O mankind!) Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Lo! He loveth not aggressors. (al-A’raaf)

56. Work not confusion in the earth after the fair ordering (thereof), and call on Him in fear and hope. Lo! the mercy of Allah is nigh unto the good. (al-A’raaf)

21 O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness;

Then comes the mention of Allah’s Ni’mah on his servants.

22 Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).

He organises the sequence in the correct order. After stating that Allah is the only One worthy of worship, He was the one who created you; He created those before you; He created the earth on which you walk; He created the heavens that provide a shade for you as your canopy, and has not made you subservient to another creature.

The verse is proof that Allah is Self-sufficient. He needs nothing from His creatures. Allah sent down to you water from the skies at no cost and brought therewith fruits to make you self-sufficient. After He has made all this for you, why will you set up rivals against Him when you know the truth?