The Parable of the Hypocrites (3/5)

v) The first parable deals with them acquiring darkness which is a similitude for misguidance and confusion, the opposite of which is guidance. The second parable deals with their acquiring fear, the opposite of which is safety and security. The hypocrites are not guided and neither are they safe,

“Those who believe and do not mix their faith with any wrongdoing, they are the ones who are safe; it is they who are guided.” [Surah al-An'am (6): 82]

Ibn ‘Abbas and other exegetes said, 'The similitude of these people's hypocrisy is that of a person who kindled a fire in a dark night on a terrifying occasion. He warms himself up, sees what is around him, and is saved from what he feared; then while in that state, the fire is suddenly extinguished and he remains once again in that darkness in a state of fear and utter confusion. The hypocrites, by their outwardly testifying to faith, have secured their wealth and children, they marry the believers, they inherit from them, and they acquire a portion of the war booty. This is their light, but when they die, they return once again to darkness and fear.'

Mujahid said, 'The fire alighting for them means their going towards the Muslims and guidance. Their light being taken away means their going towards the polytheists and misguidance.'

The acquiring of light and its removal has been explained variously to take place in this life, or the life of the grave, or in the Hereafter. The correct position is that it occurs in all three stages of life, for they are recompensed for their state in this world in all three stages with,  

 “... a fitting recompense.” [Surah an-Naba’ (78): 26]

“Your Lord does not wrong His slaves.” [Surah Fussilat (41): 46]

In the resurrection a person shall reap what he sowed in this world and that is why it is called the Day of Recompense,

“Those who ate blind in this world will be blind in the Hereafter and even further off the Path.” [Surah al-Isra’ (17): 12]

“Allah augments those who are guided by giving them greater guidance.” [Surah Maryam (19): 76][1]

To return to the discussion at hand...Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, has propounded two parables, one for fire and one for water, in Surah al-Baqarah, Surah ar-Rad, and Surah an-Nur. This is because life comes about through water and light; the believer has a living and illuminated heart, and the hypocrite has a dead and dark heart. Allah, Exalted is He says,

“Is someone who was dead and whom We brought to life, supplying him with light by which to walk among people, the same as someone who is in utter darkness, unable to emerge from it?” [Surah al-An'am (6): 122]

“The blind and the seeing are not the same, nor are darkness and light, nor are cool shade and fierce heat. The living and dead are not the same, Allah makes anyone He wills to hear but you cannot make those in the grave to hear.” [Surah Fatir (35): 19-22]

Therefore He considered those who follow His guidance, and illuminate themselves with His light to be alive, taking refuge under a shade that saves them from the heat of doubts, misguidance, innovation, and shirk. And He considered one who does not do so to be blind and dead, submerged in the heat of disbelief, shirk and misguidance, engulfed in layer after layer of darkness.

Allah knows best.[2]

 (Continued)