Ayat al-Nur: Divine Light as a Beacon for Moral Living

 

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam

29 April 2025

Introduction

Ayat al-Nur (24:35) is among the most beautiful and richly layered verses of the Quran, inviting generations of commentary. Yet, much of its meaning has remained elusive, clouded by mystical interpretations that do not align with the Quran's own style of precise and rational exposition. Here, I offer an explanation firmly rooted within the Quranic framework, preserving the majesty of its metaphors while maintaining internal coherence.

The Quran as Self-Luminous Light

We begin with the Quran's declaration:

(10:37) This Qur'an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah; on the contrary, it is a confirmation of (revelations) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book, wherein there is no doubt - from the Lord of the worlds.

The "light" in Ayat al-Nur represents divine guidance, specifically the moral principle foundational to all civilisation: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This primal moral truth is self-luminous — its truth shines by itself, needing no external validation, much like "an oil almost giving light even if untouched by fire."

The Divine Origin of Moral Knowledge

The "blessed tree neither of the east nor the west" (24:35) symbolises the Divine origin of this primal moral principle — not derived from human experience, culture, or geography. Civilisation itself rests on this principle; no society could have risen without it. Thus, the first "light" is the self-evident, divine moral truth bestowed upon mankind.

The Quran: Light upon Light

The Quran does not merely repeat this primal truth but builds upon it, offering a complete moral system through vivid imagery, priming, reinforcement, and detailed exposition. This "second light" — the Quranic articulation — is described as "light upon light."

The Glass: Linguistic Perfection

"The lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a brightly shining star..."

The "glass" represents the linguistic excellence of the Quran — the perfect, unblemished medium preserving and transmitting the light. Just as a clear glass protects and amplifies the flame without absorbing or distorting it, the Quran's words preserve the Message while enabling the guidance to shine steadily and brilliantly, aiding understanding without distortion. This is reflected in the Quran being described as "Kitabum Mubeen" — a Book that makes things clear, without crookedness.

The Niche: The Framework of Belief

The "niche" housing the lamp symbolises the complete and self-sufficient framework of Islamic belief — a coherent system centred on Allah as Creator, Sustainer, Law-Giver, the All-Knowing, the Just, the Merciful, and the ultimate Judge. Every metaphor in the verse refers to perfection and divinity, never to human frailty.

Rejection of Mystical Interpretations

Earlier scholars, like Imam Ghazali, compared the niche to the rib cage and the glass to the human heart. However, the Quran consistently presents the human heart as fallible — sometimes diseased, sometimes veiled, sometimes rebellious — never as a flawless receptacle. Even prophets, including Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), are shown as human, capable of concealing inner thoughts (33:37). Thus, the "perfect glass" cannot plausibly refer to the human heart.

Access to the Light

The light of a lamp is available only to those who seek it, unlike the sun's indiscriminate illumination. Similarly, divine guidance benefits only those who desire it. Allah guides whom He wills — those who strive towards His light.

(24:36-38) (Lit is such a Light) in houses which Allah has permitted to be raised to honour; for the celebration in them of His name...

The "houses" are centres where God's name is remembered constantly by those devoted to Him, whose commerce and worldly distractions do not divert them. These are the hearts where the light of divine guidance shines brightest.

Conclusion

Thus, the "Light upon Light" in Ayat al-Nur refers to:

1.       The primal self-luminous moral principle.

2.       The Quran's detailed exposition of this principle.

3.       The flawless linguistic medium amplifying and preserving the guidance.

The verse, in its breath-taking imagery, points solely to divine perfection and the supreme excellence of Allah's guidance.

As we seek the light of divine guidance in our daily lives, let us commit to reflecting its radiance through our actions, in our interactions with others, and in our pursuit of justice and morality. May we strive to live as embodiments of that light, spreading its clarity and warmth to all around us.

"Allah guides to His Light whom He wills, and Allah sets forth parables for mankind, and Allah has knowledge of all things." (24:35)

May Allah guide us all to His Light.

 

Also Read:  Illuminated by Divine Light: The Moral Framework of Islam

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A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation.

 

URl:    https://www.newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/ayat-al-nur-divine-light-moral-living/d/135357

 

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