and animals. The believers recognized this in it and understood the incomparable life it would bring them. They were not deterred from that life by its thunder and lightning—the warnings, threats, punishments, and exemplary penalties with which Allah cautioned those who disobey His command, and which He declared He would inflict upon those who rejected the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Nor were they deterred by its demanding commands, such as fighting enemies and patiently persevering in obedience, or by commands burdensome to souls because they run counter to their desires. These resemble the darkness, thunder, and lightning. Yet whoever understands the workings of rain and the life it brings is not dismayed by the darkness, thunder, and lightning accompanying it. Rather, he welcomes them and rejoices in them, hoping for the life and fertility that lie beyond them.

As for the hypocrite, his heart has become blind, and his sight does not penetrate the darkness. He sees only lightning that almost snatches away his sight, a momentous promise, and darkness, so he recoils in fear. He puts his fingers in his ears to avoid hearing the thunder, and the sight of the lightning, its brilliant flashes, and its intense light terrify him. He fears that it will snatch away his sight, for his vision is too weak to withstand it. He remains in darkness, hearing the crashing thunder and seeing the blinding lightning. If it illuminates the way before him, he walks by its light; when the light disappears, he stands bewildered, not knowing where to go. In his ignorance, he does not know that these things necessarily accompany the rain that gives life to the earth and vegetation, and sustains his own life. He perceives nothing but thunder, lightning, and darkness, unaware of what lies beyond them. Thus, dismay constantly haunts him, and terror and alarm never leave him.

But whoever welcomes the rain, knows the goodness, life, and benefit it brings, and understands that it must be accompanied by thunder, lightning, and darkness caused by clouds, welcomes these things rather than recoiling from them. They do not prevent him from taking his share of the rain.

This parable corresponds precisely to the rain that Gabriel, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, brought down from the Lord of all worlds, blessed and exalted is He, upon the heart of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, to give life to hearts and to all existence. His wisdom decreed that it should be accompanied by clouds, thunder, and lightning, just as rainwater is,