Parables of the QuranA parable of the Quran · Al-Baqara 2:19–20

The rainstorm in the dark

مثل الصيّب

Like travellers caught in a storm, the hypocrites block their ears against the Quran's warnings.

Quran

What it means

A second parable of the hypocrites: people caught in a heavy downpour from the sky, with layers of darkness, thunder and lightning; they put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps for fear of death, and the lightning almost takes their sight (2:19–20).

As-Sa'di applies it to how the hypocrites meet the Quran: when they hear its commands, prohibitions and warnings, they turn away and cover their ears, as one frightened by thunder does. And Allah surrounds them with His power and knowledge, so they cannot escape Him.

Evidence

QuranAl-Baqara (The Cow)Quran 2:19

أَوْ كَصَيِّبٍ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فِيهِ ظُلُمَـٰتٌ وَرَعْدٌ وَبَرْقٌ يَجْعَلُونَ أَصَـٰبِعَهُمْ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِم مِّنَ ٱلصَّوَٰعِقِ حَذَرَ ٱلْمَوْتِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ مُحِيطٌۢ بِٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ ١٩

Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allāh is encompassing[14] of the disbelievers.

Translator's notes

[14] Allāh states in the Qur’ān that He has certain attributes such as hearing, sight, hands, face, mercy, anger, coming, encompassing, being above the Throne, etc. Yet, He has disassociated Himself from the limitations of human attributes or human imagination. Correct Islāmic belief requires faith in the existence of these attributes as Allāh has described them without applying to them any allegorical meanings or attempting to explain how a certain quality could be (while this is known only to Allāh) and without comparing them to creation or denying that He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) would have such a quality. His attributes are befitting to Him alone, and "There is nothing like unto Him." (42:11)

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

19. Or like a rainstorm from the sky, wherein is darkness, thunder, and lightning. They thrust their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap for fear of death. But Allâh ever encompasses the disbelievers (i.e. Allâh will gather them all together).

Read in context on Quran.com
Report an error on this page

Tell us what looks wrong: a reference, a translation, the Arabic, or anything else. Scholars and editors read every report. Please don’t include personal details.

Text size

Appearance