What is noor (light from Allah)?
Most Muslims can easily relate to noor ‘light’ as the guidance in a person and often relate to radiance on face of a Muslim as ‘noor.’ I had understood noor as guidance from Allah in every action that the man takes. Allah has referred to noor in the meaning of guidance in many verses of Quran and the book itself is referred as ‘light.’ I am quoting some of the verses below:
Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian)
of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light. But as for
those who disbelieve, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut [false
deities and false leaders], they bring them out from light into darkness. Those
are the dwellers of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever. (Al-Baqara, 2:257)
Verily, We did send down the Taurat (Torah)
[to Musa (Moses)], therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who
submitted themselves to Allah's Will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and
the priests [too judged for the Jews by the Taurat (Torah) after those
Prophets], for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah's Book, and they
were witnesses thereto. Therefore fear not men but fear Me (O Jews) and sell
not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah
has revealed, such are the Kafirun (i.e. disbelievers - of a lesser degree as
they do not act on Allah's Laws). (Al-Maeda, 5:44)
And
thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) Ruh (a Revelation, and a
Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We
have made it (this Qur'an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves
We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم) are indeed guiding
(mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism). (
Ash-Shura, 42:52)
A colleague explained me very interesting
explanation of ‘noor.’ He said that when we are standing on a dark street we
cannot see what dangers lie near us. We don’t know what insects, animals, pit
holes are around us. If we move, we just move with conjecture. When a lamp is
lighted on the street, we are able to see all the harmful things that are
around us. The same way when a Muslim gets noor from Allah, he is able to see
his own weaknesses which were invisible to him before. He finds himself so
lowly that all other people he meets seem very virtuous to him. With this faith,
he constantly strives to contain and get rid of the evil in him. He also gave
examples that the companions of the Prophets (peace be upon him) always doubted
deeds being good enough. When the verses relating hypocrites were revealed, the
best of the companions felt that they were hypocrites.
I found this explanation very eye opening.
What virtuous character Muslims will show when they constantly strive to
cleanse themselves of evil of pride, greed, deception, lust, envy and
others. With a better understanding of their own evil, they cannot look
down
upon other people but will only see their virtue. They will not be
arrogant but
more respectful towards others.
Their likeness is as the likeness of one
who kindled a fire; then, when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their
light and left them in darkness. (So) they could not see. ( Al-Baqara, 2:17)
It should be noted that noor (light) is not
a constant or one-time thing. It is a constant source like a reservoir of
energy that keeps on increasing when man continuously strives to obey Allah.
Allah mentions in several verses that the noor of true believers will go on
increasing and it will only be perfected in the paradise.
They intend to put out the light of Allah
(i.e. the Religion of Islam, this Qur'an, and the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم)
with their mouths. But Allah will bring His light to perfection even though the
disbelievers hate (it). ( As-Saff, 61:8)
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