Page 189 - Tafsir of surat at tawba repentance
P. 189
© Islamic Online University Usool at-Tafseer
snatches away their sight, but every time it lights up (the area) for
them, they walk, and when it becomes dark, they stand still. If Allaah
had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight, for
13
certainly Allaah is able to do all things.”
Fire is used in this passage due to its quality of light, and water is used due to its
ability to bring earth back to life. Fire and water really represent the elements.
Revelation was sent down from the heavens to enlighten human hearts and bring
them to life. In these verses, Allaah uses fire and water to explain the effect of
revelation on those who pretend to be Muslims. The hypocrites who enter Islaam
so as to benefit from it materially are like someone who lights a fire in order to
benefit from its warmth and light. However, their entrance into Islaam has no
enlightening effect on their hearts; likewise, Allaah removes the quality of light
from the fire leaving only its quality of heat. Hence, they are in total darkness,
blind, unable to see the truth. The hypocrites are also like someone in a rainstorm
fearing death from its flashes of lightning and trying to avoid its mind-shattering
thunderclap. Instead of coming to life spiritually when God’s word is revealed to
them, the hypocrites try to block out its thundering commands and prohibitions,
fearing that submission to them would mean the death of their souls and egos.
Another mathal involving fire and water can be found in the following verse
concerning truth and falsehood.
@yJtGôm$$sù $ydÍys)Î/ 8ptÏ÷rr& ôMs9$|¡sù [ä!$tB Ïä!$yJ¡¡9$# ÆÏB tAtRr& )
÷rr& >puù=Ïm uä!$tóÏGö/$# Í$¨Z9$# Îû Ïmøn=tã tbrßÏ%qã $£JÏBur 4 $\Î/#§ #Yt/y ã@ø¡¡9$#
ßt/¨9$# $¨Br'sù 4 @ÏÜ»t7ø9$#ur ¨,ysø9$# ª!$# Ü>ÎôØo y7Ï9ºxx. 4 ¼ã&é#÷WÏiB Ót/y 8ì»tFtB
y7Ï9ºxx. 4 ÇÚöF{$# Îû ß]ä3ôJusù }¨$¨Z9$# ßìxÿZt $tB $¨Br&ur ( [ä!$xÿã_ Ü=ydõusù
( ÇÊÐÈ tA$sWøBF{$# ª!$# Ü>ÎôØo
13
Soorah al-Baqarah (2):17-20.
http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com 12
