the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 1752)
The Holy Qur'an, like a resplendent lamp, illuminates the path of guidance for mankind, and among its verses, the Verse of Light (Surah An-Nur, Ayah 35) shines as a radiant jewel. This verse employs profound and meaningful allegories to depict the reality of Divine Light and reveals the exalted status of Wilaya (Divine guardianship) within the system of creation. In this treatise, relying on the lectures of a learned scholar and deep exegetical analyses, we explicate this verse and its connection with the Shajarat al-Tayyiba (the Pure Tree) of the Ahl al-Bayt, peace be upon them. The structure of this work is organised so that, with a comprehensive perspective, all semantic layers of the verse are explored and its relationship with the concepts of Wilaya, 'Ismah (infallibility), and Divine guidance is clearly demonstrated.
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
God 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 enclosed in glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither eastern nor western, whose oil almost glows even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. God guides to His Light whom He wills. And God sets forth parables for mankind, and God is all-knowing of everything.
The Verse of Light introduces God as the "Light of the heavens and the earth." This expression presents light not only as the essence of existence but also as the axis of guidance and illumination of the cosmos. Divine Light, like an unsetting sun, encompasses all existence and frees it from the darkness of ignorance and misguidance. In mystical exegeses, this light refers to the manifestation of the Divine Essence which becomes evident through the emanations of the Infallible Ones, peace be upon them, in the human realm. This light provides both material illumination of the heavens and the earth and spiritual enlightenment of the hearts of the faithful towards truth.
Key point: Divine Light is the essence that brings existence from non-existence and distinguishes guidance from error. This light is manifested in the hearts of the Infallible, peace be upon them, and is the intermediary of Divine grace towards the servants.
The verse employs allegories such as mishkat (niche), misbah (lamp), and zujajah (glass) to portray the reality of Divine Light. The mishkat is the lamp-holder that preserves the light and protects it from the wind and extinguishing. The misbah is the lamp that contains the burning wick producing light, and the zujajah is the transparent glass that transmits the light without distortion. These allegories function like a mirror reflecting various dimensions of Divine Light.
In Shiite interpretations, mishkat is understood as the pure heart of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, or Lady Fatimah, peace be upon her, the locus of the light of Wilaya. The misbah refers to the light of Prophethood or Imamate, and the zujajah corresponds to the pure hearts of the Infallibles, peace be upon them, which, due to their innate purity, transmit Divine Light to the entire cosmos. These allegories encapsulate the lofty reality of Wilaya like a gem in a shell and present it to humanity.
For a precise understanding of the verses allegory, each component requires separate examination:
These components operate in perfect harmony like the parts of a system, showcasing Divine Light brilliantly. Just as a lamp without glass is vulnerable to extinguishment, the light of Wilaya cannot reach the entire cosmos without the pure hearts of the Infallibles, peace be upon them.
The Verse of Light, through innovative allegories, introduces Divine Light as the essence of existence and the axis of guidance. The mishkat, misbah, and zujajah each point to a facet of this lights manifestation in the human realm. In Shiite interpretations, these allegories
