Alim Ahmad Bhatti, Germany
The Holy Quran is a source of boundless light which was revealed by God Almighty to Prophet Muhammadsa. In a remarkable verse from Surah an-Nur, Allah speaks of “light upon light”- a metaphor symbolising divine guidance and wisdom. In this article, I will aim to explore the profound significance of this Quranic verse and its implications for believers seeking understanding and enlightenment. Allah the Exalted states:
اَللّٰہُ نُوۡرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضِ ؕ مَثَلُ نُوۡرِہٖ کَمِشۡکٰوۃٍ فِیۡہَا مِصۡبَاحٌ ؕ اَلۡمِصۡبَاحُ فِیۡ زُجَاجَۃٍ ؕ اَلزُّجَاجَۃُ کَاَنَّہَا کَوۡکَبٌ دُرِّیٌّ یُّوۡقَدُ مِنۡ شَجَرَۃٍ مُّبٰرَکَۃٍ زَیۡتُوۡنَۃٍ لَّا شَرۡقِیَّۃٍ وَّلَا غَرۡبِیَّۃٍ ۙ یَّکَادُ زَیۡتُہَا یُضِیۡٓءُ وَلَوۡ لَمۡ تَمۡسَسۡہُ نَارٌ ؕ نُوۡرٌ عَلٰی نُوۡرٍ ؕ یَہۡدِی اللّٰہُ لِنُوۡرِہٖ مَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ؕ وَیَضۡرِبُ اللّٰہُ الۡاَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ؕ وَاللّٰہُ بِکُلِّ شَیۡءٍ عَلِیۡمٌ
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a [lustrous] niche, wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a glittering star. It is lit from a blessed tree — an olive — neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would well-nigh glow forth even though fire touched it not. Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whomsoever He will. And Allah sets forth parables to men, and Allah knows all things full well.” (Surah an-Nur, Ch.24: V.36)
The metaphor of Divine light
The verse presents a powerful metaphor with deep spiritual significance. It speaks of three elements: a lamp, a glass, and a niche. Together, these elements symbolise the complete and perfect nature of divine light. The lamp (al-misbah) represents the very source of light, while the glass (az-zujajah) shields the light from external forces and enhances its brightness. Lastly, the niche (al-mishkat) protects and preserves the light, ensuring its radiance. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2278)
This metaphor can also be compared to an electric torch, where the wires symbolise the source of energy (divine light), the bulb corresponds to the glass that contains and intensifies the light, and the reflector is akin to the niche that directs and spreads the light. In spiritual terms, the lamp represents divine illumination, the glass symbolises God’s prophets, who preserve and amplify this light, and the niche signifies the role of the successors (khulafa) who distribute and channel the divine guidance to humanity. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2278)
The oil that fuels the lamp is described as pure, almost capable of lighting on its own. This purity reflects the inherent brilliance and power of divine truth, which does not require external forces to ignite it. The blessed tree, from which this oil is drawn, is not limited to any particular direction, symbolising the universality of this guidance.
Another interpretation can also be that the metaphor refers to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa himself. In this understanding, the niche represents the Holy Prophet’ssa heart, the lamp his pure nature, and the glass the clarity and transparency of his character. His soul, like the oil, was already imbued with such qualities that even before divine revelation descended, he was prepared to receive and propagate it. Thus, the expression “light upon light” denotes the combination of his inherent luminosity with the light of divine revelation, making him a beacon for humanity. (Five Volume Commentary, Vol. 4, p. 2278)
The Prophetic light: A beacon for humanity
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa expounded upon this verse during his Friday Sermon on 22 January 2010. In his sermon, he elaborated on the concept of nur (divine light) associated with the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. Drawing from the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah, he highlighted the Holy Prophet’ssa extraordinary wisdom and character, which illuminated even before the commencement of his prophethood.
The term “light upon light” signifies the exceptional nature of the Holy Prophetsa, who was already a manifestation of divine light, and the additional brilliance he attained through the revelation of the Holy Quran. The Quran refers to him as Siraj-an-Muneera (a shining lamp), emphasising his role as a source of guidance that could ignite the hearts of countless people.
In his sermon, Huzooraa recounted that the Holy Prophetsa once said that the first thing created by Allah was his light. This underscores the unique status of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa in the divine plan, where his light was unparalleled among both the earlier and later prophets. Even before his birth, his mother was shown a vision of light emerging from her that illuminated distant lands, signifying the far-reaching impact of her son’s mission.
The outward physical light of the Holy Prophet’ssa countenance was also a manifestation of his inner light. His companions often remarked on the radiant beauty of his face, comparing it to the full moon. This physical radiance reflected his spiritual purity, which drew people toward him even before they recognized his prophetic mission.
Huzooraa also highlighted the Holy Prophet’ssa capacity to intercede for his followers. On the Day of Judgment, his nur will shine brighter than all other prophets, and he alone will be granted the authority of intercession. His light will guide those who followed him with sincerity, and they will be recognized by the light emanating from their foreheads due to their devotion and prostrations in this world. (Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, 22 January 2010)
The universal light of Islam will illuminate the world
The metaphor of light in this verse also conveys a universal message about the light of Islam. This light is protected, preserved, and will one day illuminate the entire world. The glass encasing the light not only safeguards it from external forces but also magnifies its brilliance. The reference to the tree “neither of the east nor of the west” points to the universal nature of Islam, which is not confined to any particular region or people but offers guidance for all of humanity.
In this context, the phrase “light upon light” suggests the unrelenting spread of Islamic teachings. Despite efforts to extinguish the light of Islam, as mentioned in another verse of the Quran (Surah as-Saff, Ch.61: V.9), Allah will ensure that His light reaches every corner of the earth. This is the divine promise of the eventual triumph of Islam over all other ideologies.
The light of human existence: A deeper understanding
The metaphor of light also extends to the human body and soul. The niche can be understood as the human body, which houses the soul, the true source of divine light. The glass that protects the light is akin to the human brain, which safeguards and reflects this spiritual light. The light itself is sustained by the eternal truths ingrained in human nature, which would manifest even without external revelation. However, divine guidance enhances and perfects this light.
In this broader interpretation, the verse speaks to the potential of every human being to receive and reflect divine light. The human soul, like the lamp, is capable of enlightenment, and the brain, like the glass, can reflect and amplify this light. The truths of Islam, represented by the oil, provide the fuel necessary for this illumination. (Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Haqiqatul-Wahi [The Philosophy of Divine Revelation], pp. 20-22)
Conclusion: The everlasting light of Islam
In conclusion, this verse is a powerful metaphor for divine guidance, with layers of meaning that resonate on both personal and universal levels. It speaks to the unique light of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, whose pure nature and divine revelation combined to create a light that continues to guide millions. It also reflects the enduring power of Islamic teachings, which, like the oil from the blessed tree, have the potential to illuminate the entire world.
For the individual believer, this light represents the possibility of spiritual enlightenment and closeness to Allah. By following the teachings of the Prophetsa and seeking divine guidance, every human being can become a reflection of this light, spreading goodness and righteousness in the world.
Reflecting on the profound impact of Allah’s light in the life of a believer, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, shared a personal experience in an interview:
“From childhood, when I was 12 or 15, I prayed and sometimes within 15 minutes my prayers were accepted. In school, I prayed for my studies, and Allah listened to my prayers, allowing me to pass. I hesitate to give my own experiences because it is not in my nature. I generally refer to it indirectly in my sermons, but I try not to say it directly. The fact of the matter is, the Promised Messiah (as) has said that it is Allah who fulfils one’s pious wishes and shows dreams, and this is Allah’s decree and not on account of one’s piety. It is not anyone’s own qualities or achievement that have made that possible, rather it is Allah’s grace.
اَللّٰہُ نُوۡرُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ
“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.”
“I saw these words in my dream, where they were written across the whole sky as far as I could see from one side to the other. This increased my knowledge and wisdom in the attributes of Allah more than before. Allah alone knows all things.” (“Launch of ‘The Existence Project’ – A SPECIAL INTERVIEW with the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”, www.reviewofreligions.org)
This reflection not only highlights the power of prayer but also emphasises that it is through Allah’s divine grace and light that one’s pious desires are fulfilled. The vision of Huzooraa had further deepened his understanding of Allah’s attributes, showing how dreams can serve as a manifestation of Allah’s wisdom and guidance.
In the end, Allah alone is the source of all light, and through His guidance, we are led from darkness into light, from ignorance to knowledge, and from confusion to clarity. This is the essence of Nur-un ala Nur – light upon light – an eternal beacon that continues to shine brightly in the hearts of the faithful.