An-Nur

The Light

God is the Light illuminating the whole of creation, making it apparent.

That Light is the light of existence: nonexistence is darkness. It is the Light that brought existence out of darkness. The sun sheds light upon the sky and earth, enabling us to see things around us – of different shapes and colours, enabling us to identify that from which we may profit, and that which may harm us. In the same way, God has bestowed upon us a light of faith, which shows us the straight path of salvation and the pitfalls of sin.

The gate to the heart is the mind; the light of that gate is knowledge.

Just as this Light is responsible for making the perceptible seen, it also makes the conceivable known. The Light that shows the conceivable is the light of faith and wisdom, and the eye that sees it is the ‘basirah’ the eye of the heart.

As the light of the soul is consciousness and awareness, its darkness is heedlessness.

The sun of faith in the heart of the believer renders them beautiful of face and beautiful of character. The light of faith eliminates the darkness of sin within and without, bringing us to the light of faith, love and truth.

“In the Name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy.”

“God is the Light of the heavens and earth. His Light is like this: there is a niche, and in it a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, a glass like a glittering star, fuelled from a blessed olive tree from neither east nor west, whose oil almost gives light even when no fire touches it – light upon light – God guides whoever He will to His light; God draws such comparisons for people; God has full knowledge of everything – shining out in houses of worship. God knew that they would be raised high and His name be remembered in them, with men in them celebrating His glory morning and evening: men who are not distracted, either by commerce or profit, from remembering God, keeping up the prayer, and paying the prescribed alms, fearing a day when hearts and eyes will turn over. God will reward such people according to the best of their actions, and He will give them more of His bounty; God provides limitlessly for anyone He will.” Quran 24: 35-38

“God is the ally of those who believe: He brings them out of the depths of darkness and into the light.” Quran 2:257

“A light has now come to you from God, and a Scripture making things clear, with which God guides to the ways of peace those who follow what pleases Him, bringing them from darkness out into light, by His will, and guiding them to a straight path.” Quran 5:15-16

“So it is those who believe him, honour and help him, and who follow the light which has been sent down with him, who will succeed.” Quran 7:157

“God does not guide the wrongdoers: they wish to put His light out with their mouths. But He will complete His light, even though the disbelievers hate it.” Quran 61:7-8

“Exalted is He who put constellations in the heavens, a radiant light, and an illuminating moon – it is He who made the night and day follow each other – so anyone who wishes may be mindful or show gratitude.” Quran 25:61-62

“This is a Scripture which We have sent down to you (Prophet) so that, with their Lord’s permission, you may bring darkness into light, to the path of the Almighty, the Praiseworthy One.” Quran 14:1

“We sent Moses with Our signs: ‘Bring out your people from the depths of darkness into light. Remind them of the Days of God: here truly are signs in this for every steadfast, thankful person.” Quran 14:5

“Those who believe in God and His messengers are the truthful ones who will bear witness before their Lord: they will have their reward and their light.” Quran 57:19

And God knows best.

 

Extracts from:-
‘The Name and the Named’ by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak.
‘Ninety Names of the Beloved. Intimations of the Beauty and Power of the Divine’ by Camille Hamilton Adams Helminski.