سورة البَقَرَة
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:20
The Cow · Verse 20 of 286
يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ ۖ كُلَّمَا أَضَاءَ لَهُمْ مَشَوْا فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Abdul Mannan Omar
The lightning (being so intensely dazzling) may well-nigh snatch away their sight. As often as it flashes for them they walk (a few steps) in it (- its light), and when it darkens against them they come to a halt. Indeed, if Allâh had so willed He would have taken away their hearing and their sight. Allâh is indeed Possessor of power to do all that He will.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (Helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for Allah hath power over all things.
Ahmed Ali
Verily the lightning could snatch away their eyes. When it flashes forth they walk in its flare. When darkness returns they stand still. And if the Lord wills so He could take away their hearing and sight; surely God is all-powerful.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
The lightning almost snatches away their sight. Whenever it gives them light, they take a few steps in it, and when the darkness covers them, they stand still. Had God so willed, indeed He would have taken away their hearing and sight. Surely God has full power over everything.
Daryabadi
The lightning well-nigh snatcheth away their sight; whensoever it flasheth on them, they walk therein, and when it becometh dark unto them, they stand still. And had Allah willed He would of a surety have taken away their hearing and their sights; verily Allah is over everything potent.
Faridul Haque
It seems the lightning may snatch away their sight from them; whenever it flashes they walk in it, and when it darkens they stand still; if Allah willed, He could take away their hearing and their sight; indeed Allah is Able to do all things.
Maulana Muhammad Ali
The lightening almost takes away their sight. Whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still. And if Allah has pleased, He would have taken away their hearing and their sight. Surely Allah is Possessor of power over all things.
Maulvi Sher Ali
The lightning might well nigh snatch away their sight; whenever it shines upon them, they walk therein; and when it becomes dark to them, they stand still. And if ALLAH had so willed HE could take away their hearing and their sight; surely ALLAH has the power to do all that HE wills.
Muhammad Asad
The lightning well-nigh takes away their sight; whenever it gives them light, they advance therein, and whenever darkness falls around them, they stand still.
Muhammad Musin Khan
The lightning almost snatches away their sight, whenever it flashes for them, they walk therein, and when darkness covers them, they stand still. And if Allah willed, He could have taken away their hearing and their sight. Certainly, Allah has power over all things.
Muhammad Pickthall
The lightning almost snatcheth away their sight from them. As often as it flasheth forth for them they walk therein, and when it darkeneth against them they stand still. If Allah willed, He could destroy their hearing and their sight. Lo! Allah is able to do all things.
Muhammad Sarwar
The lightning almost takes away their vision. When the lightning brightens their surroundings, they walk and when it is dark, they stand still. Had God wanted, He could have taken away their hearing and their vision. God has power over all things.
Muhammed ali Shakir
The lightning almost takes away their sight; whenever it shines on them they walk in it, and when it becomes dark to them they stand still; and if Allah had pleased He would certainly have taken away their hearing and their sight; surely Allah has power over all things.
Rashad Khalifa
The lightning almost snatches away their eyesight. When it lights for them, they move forward, and when it turns dark, they stand still. If GOD wills, He can take away their hearing and their eyesight. GOD is Omnipotent.
Shabbir Ahmed
The lightning almost snatches away their sight and vision. They walk a few steps, in a stop and go fashion. When the light helps them, they walk therein. And when darkness prevails on them, they stand still. And if God willed, He could take away their faculties of hearing and seeing. For, God is Able to do all things.
Commentary 2:20 “Taking away the hearing and their sight”يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَـٰرَهُمْ means to keep one in ignorance. As the sight and hearing are the means of attaining…
يَكَادُ الْبَرْقُ يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَارَهُمْ ۖ كُلَّمَا أَضَاءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْا فِيهِ وَإِذَا أَظْلَمَ عَلَيْهِمْ قَامُوا ۚ وَلَوْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لَذَهَبَ بِسَمْعِهِمْ وَأَبْصَارِهِمْ
2:20 “Taking away the hearing and their sight”يَخْطَفُ أَبْصَـٰرَهُمْ means to keep one in ignorance. As the sight and hearing are the means of attaining knowledge, so their taking away results in ignorance. Commenting on this verse, Rûmî says, "Lack of knowledge cannot discern; it mistakes a flash of lightning for the sun. This lightning is transient. Without (mental) clarity, you will not know the transient from the permanent. Regard this transient lightning as something which takes away the sight and regard the eternal light as a Helper” (Mathnawî Rûmî).