in Ibrāhīm (14:1): “so that you may bring humankind out of darkness into light.”

He likewise says in al-Baqarah (2:257): “Allah is the Protector of those who believe; He brings them out of darkness into light. As for those who disbelieve, their patrons are the false gods—they lead them out of light into darkness.”

And in al-Ḥadīd (57:28): “O you who believe, be mindful of Allah and believe in His Messenger; He will grant you a double share of His mercy and will set for you a light by which you walk.”

For this reason Allah has presented two parables for faith: one with water—the source of life—along with the foam that rides upon it, and another with fire, which gives light, together with the dross that gathers on what is smelted in it. In the same way He has struck two parables for hypocrisy. The Exalted says in al-Raʿd (13:17):

“He sends down water from the sky; the valleys flow according to their measure, and the torrent carries swelling foam. And from that which people smelt in the fire in quest of ornaments or utensils there arises a foam like it. Thus Allah sets forth truth and falsehood: as for the foam, it vanishes like scum, whereas that which benefits people remains on earth. Thus does Allah set forth parables.”

And He, Most High, says about the hypocrites in al-Baqarah (2:17-20):

“Their likeness is that of one who kindled a fire; when it lit up what was around him, Allah took away their light and left them in layers of darkness so they could not see—deaf, dumb, blind, and they do not return. Or it is like a rainstorm from the sky, within which are darknesses, thunder and lightning; they thrust their fingers into their ears against the thunderbolts for fear of death, yet Allah encompasses the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches away their sight: whenever it gleams for them they walk by it, but when it grows dark over them they stand still. Had Allah willed, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight—surely Allah has power over all things.”

Thus He gave them the parable of one who kindles a fire—every time it gives light Allah extinguishes it—and the watery parable of rain descending from the sky, filled with darkness, thunder and lightning. A detailed discussion of these parables belongs elsewhere; the intention here is only to recall the life and illumination of hearts.

In a well-known supplication we read: “Make the Quran the springtime of our hearts and the light of our breasts.” Springtime is the rain that falls from the sky and through which plants grow. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Some of what the spring causes to grow kills through swelling, or nearly does so.”

The season in which the first rain descends is called by the Arabs “al-rabīʿ” (spring) because of that rainfall which brings the spring growth, whereas others give the name “spring” to the season that follows winter, for in it the blossoms appear, from which fruits are formed, and leaves sprout upon the trees.

The living, illumined heart—because of the light within—hears, sees and understands, whereas the dead heart neither hears nor sees. The Exalted says in al-Baqarah (2:171): “The likeness of those who disbelieve is that of one who shouts at what hears nothing but a cry and a call—deaf, dumb, blind; they do not reason.”

And He says in Yūnus (10:42): “Among them are some who listen to you; can you make the deaf hear even though they do not understand?”