Surah Al-Baqarah (2:20)

يَكَادُ الۡبَرۡقُ يَخۡطَفُ اَبۡصَارَهُمۡؕ كُلَّمَاۤ اَضَآءَ لَهُمۡ مَّشَوۡا فِيۡهِۙ وَاِذَاۤ اَظۡلَمَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ قَامُوۡاؕ وَلَوۡ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمۡعِهِمۡ وَاَبۡصَارِهِمۡؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ قَدِيۡرٌ‏ ۝

Yakadu albarqu yakhtafu absarahumkullama adaa lahum mashaw feehi wa-itha athlamaAAalayhim qamoo walaw shaa Allahu lathahababisamAAihim waabsarihim inna Allaha AAalakulli shay-in qadeer

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.

Tadabbur (Reflection)

Theme of the Ayat

The Vacillating Faith: Only moving when the light is convenient.

The Insight

The hypocrites only move forward when the lightning (certainty/benefit) flashes, freezing when the darkness (fear/trial) returns. Strive for constant commitment. A faith that only operates when it's safe, profitable, or convenient is weak. Trust in the Creator's power is shown by continuing the struggle even in the spiritual 'darkness.'