The Light Verse
An-Nur 24:35. Also known as Ayat an-Nur, Allahu nurus samawati wal ard, Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth
۞ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشۡكَوٰةٖ فِيهَا مِصۡبَاحٌۖ ٱلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوۡكَبࣱ دُرِّيࣱّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٖ مُّبَٰرَكَةٖ زَيۡتُونَةٖ لَّا شَرۡقِيَّةٖ وَلَا غَرۡبِيَّةٖ يَكَادُ زَيۡتُهَا يُضِيٓءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡهُ نَارࣱۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٖۚ يَهۡدِي ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلَ لِلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمࣱ ﴿٣٥﴾
Allahu nooru alssamawati waalardi mathalu noorihi kamishkatin feeha misbahun almisbahu fee zujajatin alzzujajatu kaannaha kawkabun durriyyun yooqadu min shajaratin mubarakatin zaytoonatin la sharqiyyatin wala gharbiyyatin yakadu zaytuha yudeeo walaw lam tamsashu narun noorun AAala noorin yahdee Allahu linoorihi man yashao wayadribu Allahu alamthala lilnnasi waAllahu bikulli shayin AAaleemun
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a pillar on which is a lamp. The lamp is within a glass. The glass is like a brilliant planet, fueled by a blessed tree, an olive tree, neither eastern nor western. Its oil would almost illuminate, even if no fire has touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomever He wills. Allah thus cites the parables for the people. Allah is Cognizant of everything.
The Light Verse, Ayat an-Nur, is verse 35 of Surah An-Nur, the 24th surah, which takes its name from this verse. It begins by saying that Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth, and then gives one of the most detailed parables in the Quran.
The verse has inspired a great deal of reflection over the centuries, from short explanations in the commentaries to whole books devoted to it. At its simplest, it describes the light of guidance that Allah gives to a believer's heart.
What it means
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth
The verse opens with a statement about Allah Himself. Early commentators, such as Ibn Abbas in the reports collected by at-Tabari, explained it as meaning that Allah guides those in the heavens and on earth. All the light, clarity and guidance in creation comes from Him.
A niche with a lamp in a glass
The parable of His light is a lamp set in a mishkat, a niche in a wall, which the translation shown here renders as a pillar. The lamp is inside a glass, and the glass shines like a brilliant star. Many commentators said the niche is like the believer's chest, the glass like the heart, and the lamp like faith and the Quran within it.
Oil from a blessed olive tree
The lamp is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west. Commentators explain this as a tree in open ground that receives sun all day, so its oil is the purest. The oil is so clear it almost glows before any fire touches it, as a sound natural disposition is ready to receive guidance.
Light upon light
The verse then says light upon light. The pure oil, the clear glass and the flame each add to one another, as the light of revelation adds to the light of a sound heart.
Allah guides to His light whom He wills
The verse ends by saying Allah guides to His light whomever He wills, sets out parables for people, and knows all things. Guidance is His gift, and the parable is offered so people will reflect.
Where it sits in Surah An-Nur
Surah An-Nur is a Medinan surah dealing largely with family life, modesty and the protection of reputation. It opens in 24:1 by describing itself as a surah sent down with clear verses, and it includes the rulings on false accusation and the story of the slander against Aisha (from 24:11). Verse 34 says Allah has sent down clarifying verses and examples. After the Light Verse, verses 36 to 38 describe houses, understood as mosques, where Allah's name is remembered morning and evening by people whom trade does not distract from His remembrance. Verses 39 and 40 then give the opposite picture: the deeds of those who disbelieve are like a mirage in the desert, or like layers of darkness in a deep sea, darkness upon darkness, and whoever Allah does not give light has no light.
Questions
Which surah is the Light Verse in?
It is verse 35 of Surah An-Nur, the 24th surah. The surah is named after the light mentioned in this verse.
What does 'light upon light' mean?
In the parable, it describes the pure oil, the clear glass and the flame strengthening one another. Commentators understand it as the light of revelation added to the light of a pure heart.
What is the niche in the Light Verse?
It is a recess in a wall where a lamp is placed. Many commentators compared it to the believer's chest, with the glass as the heart and the lamp as faith.