2:17

Masaluhum kamasalillazis tawqada naaran falammaaa adaaa'at maa hawlahoo zahabal

laahu binoorihim wa tarakahum fee zulumaatil laa yubsiroon

Their likeness is that of a person who kindled a fire; when it illuminated all
around him, God took away their light, and left them in darkness, unable to see.

Their likeness is as the likeness of one who kindled a fire; then, when it
illuminated all around him, Allah removed their light and left them in darkness.
(So) they could not see

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ASBAB AL NUZUL

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THE EXAMPLES OF HYPOCRITES

- Allah likened the hypocrites when they bought deviation with guidance, thus
acquiring utter blindness, to the example of a person who started a fire. When the
fire was lit, and illumnitated the surrounding area, the person benef ited f rom it
and felt safe. Then the fire was suddenly extinguished. Therefore, total darkness
covered this person, and he became unable to see anything or find his way out of it
. Further, this person could not hear or speak and became so blind that even if
there were light , he would not be able to see. This is why he cannot return to the
state that he was in before this happened to him. Such is the case with the
hypocrites who preferred misguidance over guidance, deviation over righteousness.
This
parable indicates that the hypocrites first believed, then disbelieved, just as
Allah stated in other parts of the Qur'an.

- Allah's statement ,

"Allah removed their light" means,

Allah removed what benefits them, and this is the light , and
He left them with what harms them, that is, the darkness and smoke.

- Allah said,

"And left them in darkness"

that is their doubts, disbelief and hypocrisy

"So they could not see" meaning, they are unable to find the correct path or find
its direction.

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TAFSIR AL TUSTARI

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Decoding the Quran

Their example is like someone who kindles a fire that illuminates their
surrounding, yet because the Nur (light of knowledge) from their essence does not
shine through, Allah leaves them in darkness; they can no longer see!
...
[2:17] Their likeness, the way they are in their hypocrisy, is as the likeness of
one who kindled, that is, [one who] lit a fire in darkness, and when it illumined
all about him, so that he is able to see, and to feel warm and secure from those he
feared, God took away their light, extinguishing it (the plural pronoun [in
nūrihim] takes into account the [plural] import of alladhī); and left them in
darkness, unable to see, what is around them, confused as to the way, in fear;
likewise are those who have found [temporary] security by professing faith, but who
will meet with terror and punishment upon death; these [last] are