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
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلرِّجْزَ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ هُم بَـٰلِغُوهُ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ
But when We removed the punishment from them until a term which they were to reach, then at once they broke their word.
يَحْلِفُونَ لَكُمْ لِتَرْضَوْا۟ عَنْهُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَرْضَوْا۟ عَنْهُمْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَرْضَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْفَـٰسِقِينَ
They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them - indeed, Allāh is not satisfied with a defiantly disobedient people.
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابَ إِذَا هُمْ يَنكُثُونَ
But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word.
۞ لَّئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ ٱلْمُنَـٰفِقُونَ وَٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْمُرْجِفُونَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَآ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madīnah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little,