مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ ٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا فَلَمَّآ أَضَآءَتْ مَا حَوْلَهُۥ ذَهَبَ ٱللَّهُ بِنُورِهِمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ فِى ظُلُمَـٰتٍ لَّا يُبْصِرُونَ 17
Translations
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.
Transliteration
Mathaluhum kamathali alladhī istawqada nāran falammā adāat mā hawlahu dhahaba Allāhu bi-nūrihim wa-tarakahum fī zulumātin lā yubsirūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah presents a parable of the hypocrites (munāfiqūn) whose example is like one who kindles a fire, but when it illuminates his surroundings, Allah extinguishes their light and leaves them in darkness unable to see. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret this as describing how hypocrites appear to have faith that briefly benefits them, but Allah strips away their spiritual light, leaving them in spiritual blindness and confusion. The parable emphasizes the deceptive nature of hypocrisy and its ultimate futility in the sight of Allah.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of a passage (2:14-18) describing the characteristics and fate of hypocrites in Madinah. It follows the ayah about hypocrites claiming faith while harboring disbelief, contextualizing the early Medinan period when the Muslim community faced internal threats from those who outwardly professed Islam but inwardly rejected it.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, 'The example of the believer is like a standing plant; whenever the wind blows it bends, but it returns to its original state.' (Sunan Ibn Majah) This contrasts with the hypocrite's unstable state. Also relevant: 'The worst people are the munāfiqūn (hypocrites)' (Sahih Bukhari 3852).
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that outward appearances and superficial acts of worship cannot deceive Allah; true faith must be rooted in sincere hearts, and those who harbor hypocrisy ultimately deprive themselves of divine guidance and spiritual illumination.
Related Ayahs
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا بِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ ۗ وَمَن يَكُنِ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ لَهُۥ قَرِينًا فَسَآءَ قَرِينًا
And [also] those who spend of their wealth to be seen by the people and believe not in Allāh nor in the Last Day. And he to whom Satan is a companion - then evil is he as a companion.
فَلَمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِۦ بَخِلُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَتَوَلَّوا۟ وَّهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
But when He gave them from His bounty, they were stingy with it and turned away while they refused.
لَوْ كَانَ عَرَضًا قَرِيبًا وَسَفَرًا قَاصِدًا لَّٱتَّبَعُوكَ وَلَـٰكِنۢ بَعُدَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلشُّقَّةُ ۚ وَسَيَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ لَوِ ٱسْتَطَعْنَا لَخَرَجْنَا مَعَكُمْ يُهْلِكُونَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُمْ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ
Had it been a near [i.e., easy] gain and a moderate trip, they [i.e., the hypocrites] would have followed you, but distant to them was the journey. And they will swear by Allāh, "If we were able, we would have gone forth with you," destroying themselves [through false oaths], and Allāh knows that indeed they are liars.
وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِۦ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِۦ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيرًا
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers - We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.