The Importance Of Light In The Quran

Light by definition is referred to nur or diya. The Quran includes various references for light each having different connotation. Most known in Quran is Surat al-Nur that addresses marriage, adultery …etc., however the most important verse is the “light verse”:

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of his light is as a niche in which is a lamp; the lamp encased in glass; the glass as if it were a shining star lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would burn bright even if no fire touched it. Light upon light, God guides to his light whom he wishes, and God puts forth parables for human beings, and God is knowing of all things.” (24,35)

Light had diverse meanings. Different traditions had different analyses of light as it was referred in Qur’an. Light was common to some prophets such as David that “ was presented to Adam in a shining light” , whereby God had designated the prophets from the rest of humans is through their light and convent. Some sources refer “nur” to prophet Mohammad, that is named Muhammadan light or Nur Mohammadi, stated in Qur’an:

“O People of the scripture! Now hath Our messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which you used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Now hath come unto you light from Allah and plain Scripture.” (5,15)

The starting event of nur mohammad was his father Abdallah that was further discussed by Rubin in Pre-existence and Light, whereby