Ayat an-Nur: Unpacking the Verse of Light (An-Nur 24:35)

Ayat an-Nur: Unpacking the Verse of Light (An-Nur 24:35)

The verse: 

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Meaning in brief: Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp; the lamp is within glass; the glass is like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills, and Allah sets forth parables for people, and Allah knows all things.

This verse gives us one of the most beautiful images in the Quran. It is a parable, which means it is meant to be thought about slowly, and different scholars have drawn out different layers of meaning. What follows are some of the reflections that have been offered.

Allah is the Light

The verse begins with a statement: Allah is Nur, the Light of the heavens and the earth. Scholars explain that He is the One by whom everything is illuminated, whether the physical light that lets us see or the light of guidance that lets us understand. Without Him, everything is darkness.

The layers of the parable

Then the Quran paints a picture of a lamp. It is set in a niche (mishkat), a recess in a wall that concentrates the glow. The lamp is inside glass, which is clear and radiant like a shining star. The fuel is oil from a blessed olive tree, one that is not shaded from either side but receives sun all day. The oil is so pure that it almost glows without being touched by fire. And when fire does touch it: nurun 'ala nur, light upon light.

Many early scholars read the parable as describing the light of faith in the believer's heart. The Companion Ubayy ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) is reported to have understood it this way: a believer who is already receptive and pure by nature, and then receives revelation, so that light meets light. Others have noted that the image also fits the Prophet ﷺ, whose purity of heart was ready for the Quran before it was sent. Both readings carry beauty, and they do not conflict.

Where this light is found

The next verse speaks of houses that Allah has permitted to be raised and in which His name is remembered, where people glorify Him morning and evening. The light of the verse is seen in homes and mosques where there is worship and remembrance, and in the people who frequent them.

"Allah guides to His light whom He wills"

This is a humbling phrase. The light is not earned by cleverness. It is a gift. Our part is to turn toward it, ask for it, and protect it.

Bringing it into daily life

• Make dua for light. 

• The Prophet ﷺ prayed, "O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my sight, light in my hearing," and so on through his whole body, asking Allah to make him light.

• Protect the lamp.

• Be mindful of what dims your heart, such as constant sin, harsh speech, and endless distraction.

• Feed the lamp.

• Quran, prayer, remembrance, and good company are the oil.

• Be light for others.

• A kind word or an act of help can brighten someone's hard day.

Reflect:

What in your day adds oil to your inner lamp, and what drains it?

A closing dua: 

O Allah, place light in our hearts, in our sight, in our hearing, and in all that we do. Make us among those whom You guide to Your light. Ameen.