or to leave matters obscure to them, is groundless. Allah intends His parables to clarify and impart understanding, not to cause doubt or obscurity. Their purpose is to make the believers understand the condition of these people. This is indicated by His saying in the first parable:

“Deaf, dumb and blind.”

In the second, He says:

“They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps, fearing death. But Allah encompasses the disbelievers. The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Whenever it lights the way for them, they walk in it; but when darkness covers them, they stand still. Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely Allah has power over all things.”

Thus, in the second parable, He makes clear that they hear and see: “Had Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and sight.” In the first, they could see, but then became enveloped “in darkness, unable to see”—“deaf, dumb and blind.” In the second, “Whenever it lights the way for them”—the lightning—“they walk in it; but when darkness covers them, they stand still.” They therefore experience two conditions: light and darkness, whereas the former remain in darkness. The first describes someone who was in light and then entered darkness. The second describes someone who settles neither in light nor in darkness; rather, his circumstances keep changing, causing him to stand still and doubt.

This is further clarified by the fact that He, glorified be He, also sets forth two parables for the disbelievers, using the conjunction “or.” He says:

“As for those who disbelieve, their deeds are like a mirage on a level plain, which a thirsty person mistakes for water. But when he reaches it, he finds it to be nothing; instead, he finds Allah there, who pays him his account in full. And Allah is swift in reckoning.

“Or like darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds: layers of darkness, one above another. When he stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. Whoever Allah does not grant light has no light.”

Thus, the first