Tafsir Al-Jalalayn: Al-Baqara, Ayah 17
Common Words
Other Scholars on This Ayah
Tafsir
(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.
Related Hadiths
Jabir b. Abdullah reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying. My example and your example is that of a person who lit the fire and insects and moths began to fall in it and he would be making efforts to...
I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "My example and the example of the people is that of a man who made a fire, and when it lighted what was around it, Moths and other insects started falling into ...
The similitude of mine and that of my Umma is that of a person who lit fire and there began to fall into it insects and moths. And I am there to hold you back, but you plunge into it.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "My example and the example o the people is like that of a person who lit a fire and let the moths, butterflies and these insects fall in it." He also said, "There were tw...
Two men left the Prophet (ﷺ) on a very dark night. Suddenly a light came in front of them, and when they separated, the light also separated along with them.
Two of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) departed from him on a dark night and were led by two lights like lamps (going in front of them from Allah as a miracle) lighting the way in front of them, an...
Once two men from the companions of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) went out of the house of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a very dark night. They were accompanied by two things that resembled two lamps lighting the way ...
“The parable of the woman who walks to impress others in adornments for other than her family, is that of darkness on the Day of Judgment: There is no light for her.”
A mouse came dragging a wick and dropped before the Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) on the mat on which he was sitting with the result that it burned a hole in it about the size of dirham. He (the prophet) said...
Al-Jalalayn Commentary
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