19- OR LIKE RAIN LADEN CLOUD FROM THE SKY, IN WHICH THERE IS DARKNESS, THUNDER AND LIGHTENING, THEY PUT THEIR FINGERS IN THEIR EARS FROM THE THUNDER, FEARING DEATH, BUT ALLAH SURROUNDS THE DISBELIEVERS.

20- THE LIGHTENING ALMOST TAKES THEIR SIGHT AWAY, WHENEVER IT LIGHTS FOR THEM THEY WALK THEREIN AND WHEN IT DARKENS FOR THEM, THEY STAND STILL. IF ALLAH WILLS HE WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEIR HEARING AND SIGHT, FOR ALLAH IS ABLE OVER ALL THINGS.

This is a parable. Allah the Highest draws a picture for us. It is of rain laden cloud which is good news, for water revives the land and is essential for life. This is particularly good news for the Arabs who live in the desert. The cloud however also has, thunder, lightening and darkness as well.

Islam is like the cloud, it carries a great deal of goodness like the rain, and light. But, as well, it also carries, warnings and threats, like the thunder and darkness.

The Hypocrites put their fingers in their ears, not wanting to hear Allah’s Words which comes to them like thunder would. They fear death, for death will bring them to face The Creator and face their judgment, it also ends their pleasures in this earthly life. Little do they know that Allah the Highest is all around them, and from Him there is no escape.

Allah’s lights, light their way for a while when they listen. It is so strong, almost takes one’s sight away. When they are back to their hypocrisy, they loose the light, and loose their way to Allah’s Path, and come to a stand still.

They deserve to loose the sight which refuses to see Allah’s Light and Path, and loose the hearing which refuses to listen to Allah’s words. Yet, Allah the Highest gives them leeway. It is in order that those who are adamant, will sin more and those with some goodness in their hearts will have a chance to believe, repent, and do good.

We should never think that these Ayahs, address the hypocrites at the time of Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, only. They are for all times and places, as is all the Quran. There are, and will always be hypocrites amongst us.

We see and hear nowadays, people who speak in the name of Islam, however they speak out of their own desires and misguidance. They use Islam as a platform, but it is not in their hearts or words. With the strong influence of the media, they can misguide and influence millions. Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “The most I fear for my nation is a well spoken hypocrite”. (A: 22, 44)

It is therefore, very important for us to identify the hypocrites by what they say and do, so that we, do not get misguided by them.

Dr.Ahmed Saafan

B: Bukhari M: Muslim Mal: Malek A: Ahmed D: Abu Dawood

Da: Daremy Ma: Ibn Magah N: Nesae T: Termezi