35. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light is like a niche in which there is a lamp (and) the lamp is in a glass. The glass seems like a glittering star, kindled from a blessed olive tree. It is neither Eastern nor Western (rather universal in its luminosity). Its oil would almost shine, even if no fire touched it. Light upon light! Allah guides whomever He pleases to His Light. And Allah draws such parables for people, and Allah is All-Knowing of everything.*
* The likeness of Allah’s Light refers to the light of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). The niche refers to his sacred breast wherein the lamp of Prophethood is glowing. This lamp of Prophethood is placed in a glass, which is the radiant heart of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). This glass is shining like a glittering star. This lamp is lit with the sacred olive tree, which may refer to the blessing of Divine revelation or the blissful genealogical tree of the Prophets and the Messengers (peace be upon them). The blessing of Prophethood or the guidance of Divine revelation is neither Eastern nor Western. Instead, it is a universal and timeless guidance. This lamp of Muhammad’s Prophethood is almost shining due to its inherent qualities even before revelation had touched him. This Light of Prophethood radiates under the Light of the Holy Essence of God. In such a way, Allah guides people to understand the reality of His Light.
‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas (may God be pleased with both of them), ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Umar (may God be pleased with both of them), Ka‘b al-Ahbar, Sa‘id b. Jubayr, Abu al-‘Aliya and al-Dahhak b. Mazahim have described these meanings of the Verse of Light. ‘Abd b. Humayd, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Ibn al-Mundhir, Ibn Abi Hatim al-Razi, Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, al-Tabarani, Abu al-Layth al-Samarqandi, al-Sulami, Abu Ishaq al-Tha‘labi, Makki b. Abi Talib al-Muqri, al-Baghawi, al-Qadi ‘Iyad, Ibn ‘Atiyya, Ibn al-Jawzi, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, Ibn Hayyan, Ibn al-Qayyim, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Suyuti, al-Qastallani, al-Alusi and many other exegetes have reported the above-mentioned meanings. The parable of the light may also refer to the light in the heart of the believers. The niche can be the breast of the believers, the lamp can be the Qur’an and faith, and the glass can be the heart of the believers. Many other such interpretations have also been given for the Verse of Light.
