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Light upon light – The verse of light and the heart of the believer

Light upon light - The verse of light and the heart of the believer
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April 21, 2021
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“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth.

The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp,

The lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star,

Lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree,

Neither of the east nor of the west,

Whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire.

Light upon light.

Allah guides to His light whom He wills.

And Allah presents examples for the people,

and Allah is Knowing of all things. [Surah Al-Nur 24:35]

Allah gives light to the heaven and earth.

This famous ayah containing the phrase ‘Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth’ is called the Ayah of Nur (the verse of light).

This is the ayah of Nur in surat An Nur.

There has been plenty of discussion on this ayah alone.

The heart of the believer reflects the light of Allah

There are a few explanations for this. The common one is that this is the example of the heart of the believer and the niche is where the heart resides. Allah’s light is reflected by the heart.  

Allah Almighty says this glass is like a brilliant star because of the light reflecting from the heart due to its sensitivity and brilliance. The glass is radiant, pure and clear.

The source of light is as if it has been lit by the oil of olive tree, which is neither in the east or the west. This means that it is located in a central position where it receives light from all sides, not just the east or west. It is healthy and thriving. The best tree in the best position in the best location receiving the best light and all this is beaming on the heart of the believer through the revelation which Allah Almighty sent to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him).

Light upon light

Nurun ala nur (light upon light) is the light coming to the heart of the believer and the light of the fitrah which Allah created in the believer, which is the innate purity in each and every human. These  twin lights shine in the heart of the believer.

Allah Almighty guides whomsoever He wills

Those who seek guidance will be guided by Allah Almighty. There is no doubt about this.

Those who reject guidance will not be guided. Whatever proof is put before them, they will reject it. Allah Almighty gives the example of the niche, and olive oil and lamp for believers to reflect upon, because we are familiar with them. And so that we can appreciate the light He has sent us so that we can be thankful for Allah’s light.

We ask Him to keep this light in our hearts and in the hearts of our offspring and our loved ones. Ameen.

Shaykh Haytham Tamim – Ramadan day 10

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Shaykh Haytham Tamim is the founder and main teacher of the Utrujj Foundation. He has provided a leading vision for Islamic learning in the UK, which has influenced the way Islamic knowledge is disseminated. He has orchestrated the design and delivery of over 200 unique courses since Utrujj started in 2001. His extensive expertise spans over 30 years across the main Islamic jurisprudence schools of thought. He has studied with some of the foremost scholars in their expertise; he holds some of the highest Ijazahs (certificates) in Quran, Hadith (the Prophetic traditions) and Fiqh (Islamic rulings). His own gift for teaching was evident when he gave his first sermon to a large audience at the age of 17 and went on to serve as a senior lecturer of Islamic transactions and comparative jurisprudence at the Islamic University of Beirut (Shariah College). He has continued to teach; travelling around the UK, Europe and wider afield, and won the 2015 BISCA award (British Imams & Scholars Contributions & Achievements Awards) for Outstanding Contribution to Education and Teaching.

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