Transliteration:( Yakaadul barqu yakhtafu absaarahum kullamaaa adaaa'a lahum mashaw feehi wa izaaa azlama 'alaihim qaamoo; wa law shaaa'al laahu lazahaba bisam'ihim wa absaarihim; innal laaha 'alaa kulli shai'in Qadeer (section 2) )
"It so seems that the lightning would snatch away their sight [37]. Whenever there is some flashing, they walk therein, and when it is dark, they stand still. If Allah willed, He would have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah has the power to do everything. [38]"
The hypocrites live in a perpetual state of spiritual blindness and deafness, caused by their evil actions. Yet, despite this, they are not fully stripped of sensory perception.
This shows that the cause-effect system in the world operates entirely by the Will of Allah—not automatically or independently. It is Allah who allows them limited perception, despite deserving otherwise.
They only move toward truth when it suits them—as long as there's "light" or ease and clarity, they proceed. But when difficulty or sacrifice arises, they halt in darkness, paralyzed in confusion. Their guidance is superficial and opportunistic.
The phrase “Allah has the power to do everything” refers specifically to everything within His divine will—not to absurdities or logical impossibilities.
Thus, imperfection or falsehood cannot be attributed to Allah. For example, lying or self-destruction are against His nature and not within the realm of divine possibility.
This verse strongly rebukes misguided beliefs—such as thinking Allah can lie (God forbid)—which is a deep theological error. Such issues are elaborated upon in Tafseer Naeemi for deeper clarity.
The tafsir of Surah Baqarah verse 20 by Ibn Kathir is unavailable here.
Please refer to Surah Baqarah ayat 19 which provides the complete commentary from verse 19 through 20.
(2:20) It is as if the lightning would snatch their sight; whenever it gleams a while for them they walk a little, and when darkness covers them they halt.[19] If Allah so willed, He could indeed take away their hearing and their sight.[20] Surely Allah is All-Powerful.
19. The first parable refers to those hypocrites who disbelieved completely but had become Muslims merely, to further their worldly interests. The second parable refers to those who were prone to doubt and hesitation or whose faith was weak; who believed in the Truth but not to the extent of exposing themselves to hardships for its sake. The ‘violent rainstorm’ here alludes to Islam, which came to the world as a blessing. ‘Pitch-dark clouds, thunder and lightning’ refer to trials, tribulations and difficulties which confronted the Islamic movement, owing to the violent opposition and resistance of those committed to Ignorance. The last part of the parable portrays the state of mind of the hypocrites. They move a little ahead when circumstances seem favourable, but when either difficulties cloud the horizon, or when they are given directives which run counter to their desires or inherited prejudices, they are seized with alarm and come to a halt.
20. Just as God has completely deprived the first category of hypocrites of their ‘light of perception’, He could have rendered these other hypocrites totally blind and deaf. But it is not God’s way to deprive anyone of sight and hearing while he is willing to see and hear. Hence, God allowed them to retain their sight and hearing to the extent they were prepared to see and hear the Truth.
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