that stand opposed to light—are analogous to the two likenesses Allah sets forth for the hypocrites and the believers: the likeness of water and the likeness of fire. He makes the believers’ share of these life and illumination, and the hypocrites’ share darkness, which is opposed to light, and death, which is opposed to life. So it is with the disbelievers in these two likenesses: their share of water is a mirage that deceives the beholder but has no reality, and their share is layer upon layer of darkness.

This may describe the condition of every group of disbelievers: by turning away from revelation, they have deprived themselves of the source of life and illumination. In that case, the two likenesses would describe two attributes of the same people.

Alternatively, they may distinguish between different conditions among the disbelievers. Those represented by the first likeness acted without knowledge or insight, proceeding instead upon ignorance and a favorable opinion of their forebears, all the while thinking that they were doing good.

Those represented by the second likeness preferred misguidance to guidance and chose falsehood over truth. They became blind to the truth after having seen it and denied it after having recognized it. This is the condition of those who have incurred Allah’s wrath, whereas the former is the condition of those who have gone astray.

The condition of both groups differs from that of those whom Allah has blessed, mentioned in His words:

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is that of a niche in which is a lamp”—up to His words—“so that Allah may reward them according to the best of what they did and increase them from His bounty. And Allah provides for whom He wills without account.”

Thus, these verses describe the three groups: those whom Allah has blessed, who are the people of light; those who have gone astray, who are represented by the mirage; and those who have incurred His wrath, who are the people of accumulated darkness. And Allah knows best.

The first of the two likenesses, then, represents those whose deeds are false and of no benefit.

The second represents those whose knowledge is of no benefit and whose beliefs are false,