THE VERSE OF LIGHT

      About the famous verse of light much have been said by different expounders of Qurän, scholars, gnostics; and religious jurists. In other word, this glorious parable of light, which is full of allegorical truth about the mysteries of Man's spiritual being, has such a wide variety of meanings that many voluminous book have been written and published to comment it, and yet no one has done adequate justice to its full meaning. The verse begins with the clause:ِ

      ``Allah is the light of heavens and earth.''

      Some expounders have understood the light to mean ``guide''. Some other have said it means, ``ILLUMINATOR'', and another group have translated it to, ``DECORATOR''.

      In Quränic literature several things have been given the title of light:ِ 1) QURÄN IS LIGHT = S 5:15 2) FAITH IS LIGHT = S 2:257

3) ALLAH'S GUIDANCE IS LIGHT = S 6:122 4) ISLAM IS LIGHT = S 9:32

5) THE PROPHET IS ALSO LIGHT = S 33:46

      As to the qualifications of light we may say:ِ

1- According to the latest QUANTOM THEORY OF LIGHT; the nature of light has a dual view, because it behaves both as quanta of energy, and as a wave phenomenon.

2- It is the most beautiful and the finest of all phenomena.

3- It has the highest of speeds.

4- It is the means of vision, without which no one can see anything.

5- It is the source of all the colours that we see and enjoy.

6- The sun light is the source of all the energies that exist, and which kills many kinds of microbs.

      The physical light is somehow like a mirror, that, reflects and shows the true light in the world of reality, which is Allah.

      Of course, the physical light has its own weak points and draw-backs, whereas Allah, which is the true light in the world of reality, is far from the least fault and defect.

      The physical light depends on its source. It can be decomposed to particles or photons. It is unstable and in movement, while the light of truth is free of such physical characterstics.

      According to the above introduction, if we are to choose somehow a similitude for Allah in this material world, we may make use of light to some limited extend. Meanwhile, we have to keep in mind that God's high position is infinitely higher than whatever we may think of, or imagine. It is remarkable, that, any entity has its light and illumination in a measure or degree, which is relative to it relation to

God, namely; Qurän is light and has light, because it is the word of God. Islam is light and has light, for being the chosen religion of God. Prophets are light, because they carry the Message of God. Faith is light, because it is the code of connection to God. Knowledge is light for being a means of acquaintance with Allah.

      Qurän gives some details of how the Divine Light might be:ِ

      ``....The example of this light is a niche, in which there is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as if a brilliant star. It is kindled from a blessed tree of olive which is neither Eastern, nor Western. Its oil is well-nigh to shine, even though no Fire has touched itِlight upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He will.''

      To explain the meaning of the parable, and to know how the light illuminates the innermost of Man's being. We have to expound the meaning of some of the technichal terms or words, that are found in the verse of Light:ِ

      The Arabic, ``MESHKÄT'' translated to niche is a little recess in a wall of ancient rooms, especially for putting a lamp or a bust in it. The niche is raised up enough to diffuse the light all inside the room.
Of course, this was before the invention of electric lamps.

      The Arabic, ``ZAJÄJEH'' basically means transparent stones or crystals. It also means glass, and here it refers to the glass globe that covers the flame.

      ``MESBÄH'' is the lamp which consists of a wick and a pot of fuel for burning and giving out the necessary light.

      This light which is emitted from the Divine lamp can be, ``FAITH IN ALLAH'', that illuminates the heart of Man. If so, the lamp is the faith, the glass bulb is the heart of the believer. The niche is then his breast, and the blessed tree of olive can be the Inspiration which ends in purifying the believer.

MY OFFTAKE OF THE ABOVE COMMENTS

      I see the verse of light as a glorious parable full of allegorical truth about God and the mysteries of Man's spiritual being. So far, none of the commentators have dared to say decisively it means this or that! All of them have gone to a zigzag way in explaining and expounding the verse.

      His holiness grand Ayatullah Makärim, has given an explanation of the verse in some twenty pages, supported with many traditions. I have done my best to go through his view on that, but all I could understand is what an abstract of which is written above.

      However, the Persian Gnostics and mystics too, have their own comments on this strange verse of light. In their sight, the niche seems to be the whole material worldِthe universe and its physical contents. The glass which is as brilliant as a star is the spiritual world on which is founded the physical universe. And God, the All-knowing, All-power is the light which illuminates and controls everything. This light is not Eastern or western, nor relies on space neither in time. In other word, the Essence, or if you want to call it the, ``SUBSTANCE OF EXISTENCE'' has appeared; or to say in other word, has manifested its self through the, ``ATTRIBUTES''.

      Then the Attributes are manifested and have been reflected through the material creation. On the other hand, the substance is exactly the very existence of the Attributes i.e. The Substance of God and His Attributes are not two different or two separate things.

      But I am of opinion that Allah, His apostle, and a certain group who are well versed in Qurän; (RÄSIKHUNA-FEL-ELM) know the real meaning:ِ

      ``He, it is who sent down to you the Book. Some of its verses are ``FUNDAMENTALS'', (clear and evident in meaning) they are the mother of the Book. And some other of the verses are, AMBIGUOUS. But those in whose hearts is perversity, they follow the ambiguous part seeking dissension, and seeking to paraphrase it (with allegorical explanation). But no one knows the hidden meaning except Allah, and those who are well-grounded in knowledge; who say, we believe in it. All are from our Lord. And none do mind, save the men of understanding.''

(S 3:5)

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE