A- The first similitude is that of a man, who in a very dark night has kindled a fire for want of light. The fire produced a blaze, and lighted all around him, (VERSE NO. 17) but it did not last long. Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness, so that they could see nothing! they thought that they could do with that weak and dying light, but when a storm raised and the flame extinguished, as it was inevitable, the darkness covered them more intensely.

      The light was that of faith and MONOTHEISM, that by instinct exists in them internally, but they soon put it out when it appears; by their hypocrisy, deception and arrogant compromise with evil. They who have ended like the blasphemers, finally grope their way along their dark road, dumb, deaf, and blind. (VERSE NO. 18)

      These verses show that hypocrisy, deception or duplicity may win temporary applause and approbation, but it will sooner or later show its real face which is merely falsehood.

      B- In the second parable, another phase of hypocrisy is shown. There is a dark and dangerous night. It rains cats and dogs. Flashes of lightning is followed by crashes of thunder. Fain would the thunder - crash, tear the membrane of their ears. They are perplexed and wandering their animal course. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunder-claps fearful of death. (VERSE NO. 19) Wherever they move or go, they are encompassed by Allah, and move under His control. In the intervals between deafening crashes, and blinding flashes, there are moments of steady light through which they take a few steps, but again they are plunged into darkness and are forced to halt. (VERSE NO. 20)

      Every now and then, they might be target of thunder-flashes and be burnt to ashes! Had Allah willed, he would have taken away their sights, for Allah has power over all things. Alas! That they have not sought a safe and secure asylum to spare themselves the fearful chastisement of Allah.

Though the above discussed verses have been revealed about the hypocrites who were vontemporary with the prophet, but hypocrisy has always existed, and been the great problem of the believers and the faithful. We van easily see all the said points and remarks, in the Line of hypocrisy of our age. We also see their perplexity adn wandering, their terror and anxiety, and to make it brief, their misfortune and adversity which is similar to that of the abovr example of the wayfarer in that darkness and storm.