The Parable of the Kindled Fire – Losing Guidance After Gaining It
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:17-18), Allah presents a striking analogy about those who receive divine guidance but later reject it. This parable compares them to a person who lights a fire, only for it to be extinguished, leaving them in darkness. It highlights the consequences of turning away from truth after recognising it, leading to complete spiritual blindness.
The Analogy in the Quran
Allah says:
Context of the Parable
This parable describes people who initially accept divine guidance but later reject it. They are likened to a person who lights a fire in the darkness, hoping to benefit from its warmth and illumination. However, once the fire has lit up their surroundings, Allah takes away their light, leaving them in total darkness.
This represents those who once had faith or knowledge of the truth but later abandoned it, leading to a state of complete spiritual blindness and loss.
Key Elements of the Analogy
Lighting a Fire – Receiving Guidance
The fire symbolises faith and divine guidance.
The act of kindling the fire represents an initial acceptance of the truth.
Fire Being Extinguished – Losing Faith
Just as the fire could have provided warmth and direction, faith could have guided them.
However, Allah takes away their light, meaning they lose their ability to recognise the truth.
This represents the consequence of turning away from faith—they are left in spiritual darkness.
Deaf, Dumb, and Blind – Permanent Loss of Guidance
After rejecting faith, they lose their ability to hear, speak, or see the truth.
This metaphor highlights stubbornness and refusal to listen to divine guidance.
Because of their rejection, they will never return to the Right Path.
The Warning in the Parable
This analogy serves as a warning: when someone rejects divine guidance after recognising it, they may lose their ability to return. Unlike the hypocrites described in later parables—who fluctuate between belief and disbelief—this group is completely cut off from guidance because of their deliberate denial of faith.
Final Thoughts
The Parable of the Kindled Fire teaches that faith is a blessing, and those who turn away from it risk losing their ability to find guidance again. True believers must hold firmly to the light of faith and not let it fade away.