Surah al-Nur , 24...'Sirajan Munira', The Shining Light

THE SURAH TAKES its title from the following:

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah setteth forth for mankind similitudes, for Allah is Knower of all things. (35) 

Scholars, such as the eleventh-century philosopher Abu-Hamid al-Ghazali, understood this 'light' or nur, to be the true quintessential light or the definitive source of all light in the universe. He goes on to explain that to describe God as Light puts HIM above everything else in existence and points to HIS power to create living matter out of dark nothingness. The evidence of God's existence and power is so overwhelming and pervasive in the physical universe as well as in our own everyday lives, that only the ignorant or the arrogant can be blind to it. Others interpret 'light' as guidance God infuses into the hearts of believers that gives them the ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil, and give them a strong belief and confidence in their faith and what they profess to be true.

The Qur'an is one aspect of that nur  which illuminates man's way towards God. It has been described as such on several occasions in the Qur'an: " So believe in Allah and His messenger and the light which We have revealed. And Allah is Informed of what ye do " (al-Taghabun: 8). and,: " O mankind! Now hath a proof from your Lord come unto you, and We have sent down unto you a clear light; "(an-Nisa: 174)

On closer reflection, the two meanings of the word nur  will be found to be complementary. As one marvels at the light observed in the physical world, it leads to guidance being imbued inside one's heart, drawing one closer to God. Those who fail to be aware of God and deny or ignore HIS power will be deprived of the privilege of God's Light and guidance, no matter how materially fortunate or advanced or successful they may be. The surah asserts that: " Or as darkness on a vast, abysmal sea. There covereth him a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud. Layer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. And he for whom Allah hath not appointed light, for him there is no light. "(40)


" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali








Shaykh Ninowy on ''Bringing Sirajan Munira, 'The Shining Light', into Your Life'' ,

FEB 27/2012: The distinguished scholar and spiritual guide, al-Sayyid Shaykh Muhammad ibn Yahya al-Ninowy visited SeekersHub Toronto (http://www.SeekersHub.org/) and delivered a beautiful, memorable talk on the meanings of "The Shining Light" (al-Siraj al-Munir). This is one of the descriptive names of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), given to him in the Qur'an.

...26:50   "...information is not the point, transformation is the point "

...29:00   "..are you becoming more Muhammadi? "

...30:20   " Unity does not mean conformity. We can see one thing but means two  different ways to us"







Commentary and reflection by Imam Zia,

Session 6.1

Session 6.2

Session 6.3

Session 6.4

.." Or as darkness on a vast, abysmal sea. There covereth him a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud. Layer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. And he for whom Allah hath not appointed light, for him there is no light. "

I have a personal experience here, and the meaning of this verse really dawned upon me like a load of stone. It was some 10 years back when I was mad about scuba diving. It was a late late evening pleasure dive somewhere off the coast of Terengannu,  in open sea off Perhentian Island. As always, I ran out of 'air'  faster than the rest [ anxiety and over breathing ]and had to surface earlier than the rest of my friends. Thinking that our boat men would be there waiting for me at the surface, I motioned my diving buddy to continue with the rest. On reaching the surface, the boat men  were gone for some shelter at a nearby islet, as there was a storm building up. My 'transient fear' was tremendous. Myself bobbing about up and down in a vast, stormy sea with darkness all around and the fearful unknown below me....The verse below encapsulates my,  then, sense of loss and fear! :

.." Or as darkness on a vast, abysmal sea. There covereth him a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud. Layer upon layer of darkness. When he holdeth out his hand he scarce can see it. And he for whom Allah hath not appointed light, for him there is no light. "

politicians, ministers, CEO's COO's , ambassadors, shakers and movers of society, princes and princesses, sultans, kings and queens...oftentimes we overestimate our self importance and our positions in this life, until it is too late...by then it is curtain : Man Rabbuka?

Dr Nik Howk