By Salim Mohamed Badat
Among all the verses of the Quran, few have inspired as much reflection and scholarly discussion as the celebrated Ayat al-Nur, the Verse of Light.
It has occupied the minds of theologians, jurists, philosophers, mystics, and spiritual masters for over fourteen centuries, with every generation returning to it seeking deeper understanding.
The Complete Verse
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His Light is like a niche within which is a lamp; the lamp is within glass; the glass as if it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. Allah sets forth examples for mankind, and Allah knows all things.” Quran 24:35
Allah Is the Light
The great commentator Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari explains that Allah illuminates the heavens and the earth through His guidance. Just as physical light allows the eye to see, Divine guidance allows the soul to perceive truth.
The stars illuminate the sky, but Allah illuminates hearts. The sun gives life to the earth, but Allah gives life to faith.
The Meaning of Divine Light
Ibn Kathir explains that Allah is the Guide of those who dwell in the heavens and the earth. Every form of guidance and every awakening of conscience ultimately originates from Him.
A child learning truth. A sinner turning back in repentance. A seeker discovering faith. All are illuminated by the Light of Allah.
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi and the Mystery of Existence
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi. asked a profound question: What is light?
Light possesses a unique characteristic: it reveals other things while itself being visible. Through light, what is hidden becomes visible, paths become clear, and confusion disappears.
Al-Razi then directs our attention toward Allah. Who reveals all realities? Who makes existence manifest? Who gives meaning to every created thing?
Thus Allah is called Light because He is the ultimate source through which everything becomes known. Without Him, nothing could be understood and nothing could exist.
The Lamp Within the Niche
The verse then unfolds into one of the most beautiful parables in the Quran. Allah speaks of a niche containing a lamp.
The lamp is enclosed within glass, shining like a brilliant star, fueled by oil from a blessed olive tree.
Generation after generation, scholars pondered these images and saw within them a portrait of the believing heart. The niche became the human chest. The lamp became faith. The glass became the purified heart. The oil became Divine knowledge and revelation.
The image portrays a heart illuminated by the remembrance of Allah. But this light does not appear automatically. Like glass that must be polished, the heart must be cleansed.
Arrogance clouds it. Envy stains it. Hatred darkens it. Pride obscures it. When the heart is purified through worship, remembrance, sincerity, and repentance, the light of guidance shines with extraordinary brilliance.
The Blessed Olive Tree
Allah describes the lamp as being fueled by oil from a blessed olive tree, neither of the East nor of the West.
Scholars found profound symbolism here. The oil is so pure that it almost glows without being touched by fire. The scholars saw in this an image of souls naturally receptive to truth.
Some hearts are so receptive that when revelation reaches them, they embrace it immediately, as if the oil were already waiting for the flame.
Light Upon Light
Then comes one of the most celebrated phrases in the Quran: “Light upon Light.”
For Ubayy ibn Kab, it described the believer whose speech, actions, knowledge, resurrection, and final destination are illuminated.
For Allamah Muhammad Husayn al-Tabatabai, it pointed toward ascending degrees of reality and understanding.
One light leads to another. One truth opens the door to a greater truth. One act of sincerity invites greater sincerity.
Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali was so captivated by it that he wrote an entire book, Mishkat al-Anwar, The Niche of Lights.
He explained that every light we know is ultimately a reflection. The sun shines. The moon reflects. The eye sees. The intellect understands. Behind these forms of illumination stands the One True Light from whom every illumination originates.
The journey toward Allah is not a single moment of illumination, but an ascent through degrees of Divine light.
Imam Ali (RA) and the Light Beyond All Lights
In his sermons, Imam Ali repeatedly describes Allah as the One through whose light darkness is illuminated, while reminding us that Allah cannot be grasped by physical sight. Eyes cannot encompass Him, nor can the senses contain Him.
Instead, Allah is perceived through certainty, faith, and spiritual insight. One of his profound teachings declares:“The hearts perceive Him through the realities of faith.”
For Imam Ali, the greatest darkness was ignorance of Allah, while the greatest light was knowledge of Him. Every sincere act of worship and remembrance becomes a step toward that light.
The Prophet and the Veil of Light
The Messenger of Allah (saw) In an authentic narration, he said: “His veil is light. Were He to remove it, the splendor of His Face would burn everything His sight reaches.” (Sahih Muslim 179a)
The Prophet (saw) also frequently supplicated for light: “O Allah, place light in my heart, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light above me, light below me, and make for me light.” (Sahih Muslim 763a)
The Great Battle Between Light and Darkness
Light represents faith, knowledge, wisdom, revelation, and truth. Darkness represents ignorance, confusion, oppression, and spiritual blindness.
Every prophet was sent to bring humanity from darkness into light, and every revelation calls humanity toward that illumination.
The Final Reflection
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”
For beyond every light we see, beyond every star in the heavens and every flame upon the earth, remains the Eternal Reality proclaimed by the Quran: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”
And for those who continue the journey, there is always more illumination ahead.
“Light upon Light.” Quran 24:35
Salim Mohamed Badat
Writer exploring the intersection of faith, politics and justice
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