An-Nur 24:35
The Light · Medinan · Juz 18 · Page 354
Light
۞ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشۡكَوٰةࣲ فِيهَا مِصۡبَاحٌۖ ٱلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوۡكَبࣱ دُرِّيࣱّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةࣲ مُّبَٰرَكَةࣲ زَيۡتُونَةࣲ لَّا شَرۡقِيَّةࣲ وَلَا غَرۡبِيَّةࣲ يَكَادُ زَيۡتُهَا يُضِيٓءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡهُ نَارࣱۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورࣲۚ يَهۡدِي ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَٰلَ لِلنَّاسِۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمࣱ ٣٥
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things.
Translation: Marmaduke Pickthall
Meaning
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a lamp within crystal. It is light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills.
Insight
According to Elmalılı, He is the One who brings the whole universe into being, reveals the truth and illuminates hearts. Without Him nothing would exist and no truth would be perceived. Still, Elmalılı adds a caution: Allah Himself is not physical light. He is the Creator of both light and darkness.
Reflect
Think about the things that ‘light up’ your life. Where do they come from?
This short note is based on Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır’s Turkish commentary and has not yet been reviewed by a scholar.
Elmalılı’s commentary
An English translation of Elmalılı’s full commentary is coming soon. Read the original Turkish ›