"The example of them is like the example of one who kindled a fire." (2:17) The verse. Al-Hasan said, meaning: Their example is like a man walking on a dark night with a torch of fire in his hand, by which he can see where he places his feet. While he is in that state, his fire is extinguished, so he cannot see. How can he walk? Likewise, the hypocrite speaks the word 'There is no god but Allah,' and by it, he enters into marriage with Muslims and protects his blood and wealth; but when he is at the point of death, Allah snatches it away from him. Yahya said: Because it had no reality in his heart.
﴿مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي اسْتَوْقَدَ نَارًا﴾ الآيةُ، قَالَ الْحسن، يَعْنِي: مثلهم كَمثل رَجُل يمشي فِي لَيْلَة مظْلمَة فِي يَدِهِ شعلة من نَار فَهُوَ يبصر بِهَا مَوضِع قَدَمَيْهِ؛ فَبَيْنَمَا هُوَ كَذَلِك، إِذْ أطفئت ناره؛ فَلم يبصر؛ كَيفَ يمشي؟! وَإِن الْمُنَافِق تكلم بقول لَا إِلَه إِلَّا اللَّه فناكح بِهَا الْمُسلمين، وحقن دَمه وَمَاله؛ فَلَمَّا كَانَ عِنْد الْمَوْت، سلبه اللَّه إِيَّاهَا. قَالَ يَحْيَى: لِأَنَّهُ لم يكن لَهَا حَقِيقَة فِي قلبه
