Tafsir Ibn Kathir- Surah 2. Al-Baqara, Ayaat 19 To 20 (Part 1)

Tafsir Ibn Kathir- Surah 2. Al-Baqara, Ayaat 19 To 20 (Part 1)
19. Or like a rainstorm in the sky, bringing darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allah ever encompasses the disbelievers.
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Another Parable of the Hypocrites
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This is another parable which Allah gave about the hypocrites who sometimes know the truth and doubt it at other times. When they suffer from doubt, confusion and disbelief, their hearts are,

﴿كَصَيِّبٍ﴾
(Like a Sayyib), meaning, "The rain", as Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Abbas, and several other Companions have confirmed as well as Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, `Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah, `Atiyah Al-`Awfi, `Ata' Al-Khurasani, As-Suddi and Ar-Rabi` bin Anas. Ad-Dahhak said "It is the clouds." However, the most accepted opinion is that it means the rain that comes down during,

﴿ظُلُمَـتِ﴾
(darkness), meaning, here, the doubts, disbelief and hypocrisy.

﴿وَرَعْدٌ﴾
(thunder) that shocks the hearts with fear. The hypocrites are usually full of fear and anxiety, just as Allah described them,

﴿يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ﴾
(They think that every cry is against them) (63: 4), and,
(They swear by Allah that they are truly of you while they are not of you, but they are a people who are afraid. Should they find refuge, or caves, or a place of concealment, they would turn straightway thereto in a swift rush) (9:56-57).

﴿الْبَرْقَ﴾
(The lightning), is in reference to the light of faith that is sometimes felt in the hearts of the hypocrites,

(They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunderclap for fear of death. But Allah ever encompasses the disbelievers), meaning, their cautiousness does not benefit them because they are bound by Allah's all-encompassing will and decision. Similarly, Allah said,

(Has the story reached you of two hosts. Of Fir`awn (Pharaoh) and Thamud Nay! The disbelievers (persisted) in denying. And Allah encompasses them from behind!) (85:17-20).