The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Every time it lights [the way] for them, they walk therein; but when darkness comes over them, they stand [still]. And if Allāh had willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Indeed, Allāh is over all things competent.
لَذَهَبَHe would certainly have taken awayladhahaba
بِسَمۡعِهِمۡtheir hearingbisamʿihim
وَأَبۡصَٰرِهِمۡۚand their sightwa-abṣārihim
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱللَّهَAllahl-laha
عَلَىٰ(is) onʿalā
كُلِّeverykulli
شَيۡءٖthingshayin
قَدِيرٞAll-Powerfulqadīrun
Tafsir
The brightness of the lightning almost blinds them. Whenever it flashes, lighting things up, they go forward and when there is no light they remain in darkness, unable to move. If God willed, He could take away their hearing and their sight, in His absolute power over all things; and not return it to them because they turn away from the truth. The rain in the storm could be likened to the Qur’ān, the thunderclap to its warnings, and the lightning to truths, appearing to them from time to time. The covering of their ears to the thunderclaps likened to their turning away from the truth, and not responding to it. The hypocrites are similar to the people in these examples because they receive no benefit from anything. In the example of the fire, all they receive is darkness and a smoldering fire. In the example of the storm-cloud, all they receive is fear and alarm because of the thunder and lightning. Similarly, the hypocrites see nothing in Islam except difficulty and harshness.