When [the listener] hears the violent peals of thunder, he asks himself: "Won't the lightning be useful for them by lighting up their way?" So [the Qur'an] says: "The lightning well-nigh takes away their sight (Yakâdu al-barqu yakhtafu absârahum)," indicating that just as the thunder is inimical to them and they are unable to hear, so the lightning is hostile towards them with its light, blinding their eyes. Then hearing that the universe is united in its hostility towards them, the listener's mind calls out: "What will happen to them? What can they do? What are they trying to do?" So [the Qur'an] says: "whenever it gives them light, they advance therein, and whenever darkness falls around them, they stand still (kullamâ adâ'a la-hum mashaw fihi wa idhâ azlama 'alayhim qâmû)," indicating that they are confused, hesitant, and bewildered, watching for the slightest opportunity and the smallest glimpse of the road. Whenever it appears to them they move forward, but with their anguished spirits, jerkily like decapitated hens, and then become frozen to the spot.

So by way of enquiry the listener's mind asks: "Why don't they die, or become completely blind and deaf, and be saved from their anguish?" And [the Qur'an] says: "And if Allâh so willed, He could indeed take away their hearing and sight (wa-law shâ'a Allâh la-dhahaba bi-sam'ihim wa absârihim);" that is, they do not deserve to be delivered from their plight. For this reason, [divine] will does not cause them to die. If it were to act, it would take away their hearing and sight. It is more fitting for those who are recalcitrant and deviate from the laws of the Most High that they retain their ears to hear their punishment and their sight to see it.

Containing all these points, from beneath its exterior the story hints at divine sublimity and power, and the disposals of the Most High in the universe, especially the marvels of the thunder, lightning, and clouds. On recalling this, with his conscience aroused the listener declares: "Glory be to Him! How great the power of the One whose awesomeness the universe manifests, and whose wrath these calamities display!" So [the Qur'an] said: "Verily Allâh is powerful over all things (inna Allâhu 'aid kulli shay'in qadr.)"