Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr":

1. They used to run away from hearing the *Qurʾān*, fearing that it would command them to engage in *jihād*, out of fear of death. [al-Ḥasan, al-Suddī]
2. It is a metaphor for their turning away from the *Qurʾān* out of dislike for it. [Muqātil]

What is meant by describing them as "placing their fingers in their ears due to the thunderclaps"?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr":

1. It means that whenever the Qurʾān brings them something they like, they follow it. [Ibn ʿAbbās, al-Suddī]
2. The light coming from the lightning represents their attaining what they desire in terms of safety of their lives and wealth, so they hasten to follow it. [Qatādah]
3. It refers to their verbal claims to be Muslim and their walking in it represents their being guided by it, but when they abandon it, they remain standing in misguidance. [Muqātil]
4. Its illumination for them represents them being left without trial or tribulation, and their walking in it represents their continued adherence to outward peace by pretending to be Muslim.

What is the interpretation of "whenever it gives them light, they walk therein"?