"Or like a rainstorm from the sky, in which is darkness, thunder, and lightning" (2:19). This is another parable; Allah set it forth as a parable for the hypocrites.

The word 'sayyib' (rainstorm) refers to rain, the darkness is a parable for hardship, the thunder is a parable for intimidation, and the lightning is a parable for the light of Islam; there is also provision in the rain. Allah set this as a parable for them, for when they experienced ease and tranquility in Islam, they were pleased with that in their worldly state, but when they were afflicted by hardship, they were paralyzed by it and did not persevere through its trials.