Juz 18- Juz Gems

Allah is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth

Tonight our mashaayikh will recite Surat al-Mu’minoon, Surat an-Nur, and the first few pages of Surat al-Furqan. A verse that has filled volumes upon volumes of interpretation is the verse found in Surat an-Nur:

اللَّـهُ 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 اللَّـهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚوَيَضْرِبُ اللَّـهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٣٥﴾

“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 pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] 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. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things,” (Surat an-Nur, aya 35).

While it is impossible to encapsulate all of the interpretations of this verse in one brief reflection, there is a beautiful reflection that I heard from Shaykh Yasir Qadhi who draws his interpretation from the work of Ibn al-Qayyim al Jawzi, may Allah be well pleased with him.

Imam Ibnul Qayyim believes each component that is described in this beautiful verse represents a certain component for the believer. The niche, or mishkat symbolizes the chest of the believer. Our chests shield our hearts and expand or constrict in regards to our affairs. The glass represents the heart, which is such a profound metaphor for the heart when one reflects on it. Glass is see through, just like the heart of the believer. The believer could never be a hypocrite whose intentions and agenda are unclear and murky. Likewise, some people have soft hearts like soft glass while others have harder hearts which are also represented by some types of glass. Light itself is the imaan, or faith, of the believer. This light will illuminate us on the Day of Judgment and envelope us in our graves. The tree represents the Qur’an. The Qur’an is not from this world, neither east nor west- and it gives us the purest of oils, which is guidance. When this guidance reaches the heart, we have Noorun ‘ala Noor- Light upon light. Knowing full well the importance of this light, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (sas) would constantly make this dua:

“O Allâh, place light in my heart, light in my tongue, light in my hearing, light in my sight, light behind me, light in front of me, light on my right, light on my left, light above me and light below me; place light in my muscles, in my flesh, in my blood, in my hair and in my skin; place light in my soul and make light abundant for me; make me light and grant me light,” (Sahih Muslim).

May Allah allow us to be beacons of light that transcend the darkness and evil of this world.