Reflections on the Name of Allah: An-Noor

The one who is clear of any imperfection, weakness, or shortcoming, meaning the most pure or the most holy. He transcends all that we perceive as perfection, and all sublime attributes belong to Him.

The description of Allah’s light, as conveyed through the Quran and hadith, is a profound and awe-inspiring concept that emphasizes His majesty and transcendence.

It may be worth mentioning that when we say Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ is Al-Nur (The Light), it is not meant in the literal sense. The light we see is created and is not eternal. It gets emitted, absorbed, reflected, and refracted. Most scholars agree for it to be a name and attribute of Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ it must be understood by the consequence and the properties of light. Light illuminates, makes things visible, and shows the way through the darkness.

Here is a detailed look at this description:

In the Quran

The most famous verse that describes Allah’s light is known as Ayat an-Nur (The Light Verse), found in Surah An-Nur (24:35):

 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 

“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 pearly [white] 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.”

This verse metaphorically describes Allah’s light, emphasizing its purity, universality, and guidance.

In the Hadith

The following hadith provides additional depth to our understanding of Allah’s light and His nature:

“Abu Musa reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was standing amongst us and he told us five things. He said: Verily the Exalted and Mighty God does not sleep, and it does not befit Him to sleep. He lowers the scale and lifts it. The deeds in the night are taken up to Him before the deeds of the day, and the deeds of the day before the deeds of the night. His veil is the light. In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (instead of the word ‘light’), it is fire. If he withdraws it (the veil), the splendor of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches.”

Key points from this hadith:

1. Allah does not sleep: This highlights His eternal vigilance and absolute control over the universe.
2. Lowering and lifting the scale: This refers to Allah’s constant and precise balancing of the affairs of the universe.
3. Deeds taken up to Him: This illustrates the idea that all actions are accounted for by Allah, whether they occur by day or night.
4. His veil is light (or fire): This metaphorical veil protects creation from the overwhelming splendor of Allah’s essence.
5. The splendor of His countenance: The description underscores the unparalleled and overwhelming beauty and power of Allah’s presence, which would consume His creation if fully revealed.

These descriptions invite believers to contemplate Allah’s majesty, omnipotence, and mercy. His light symbolizes guidance, purity, and the sustaining force of the universe, while the veil indicates both His transcendence and the mercy with which He shields His creation from His overwhelming glory.

The Request to See Allah

In Surah Al-A’raf (7:143), the Quran narrates the moment when Musa (peace be upon him) requested to see Allah:

“And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, ‘My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You.’ [Allah] said, ‘You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me.’ But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, ‘Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers.'”

This passage highlights several key points:

1. Musa’s Request: Musa (peace be upon him), despite being a prophet who conversed directly with Allah, desired to see Him, demonstrating a deep yearning for closeness and understanding of the Divine.
2. Allah’s Response: Allah informed Musa (peace be upon him) that it was beyond human capacity to witness His essence directly.
3. The Mountain: Allah used the mountain as an example, showing that even something as grand and solid as a mountain could not withstand His presence.
4. Musa’s Reaction: When the mountain crumbled upon Allah’s manifestation, Musa (peace be upon him) fell unconscious, signifying the overwhelming power of Allah’s presence. Upon regaining consciousness, he repented and reaffirmed his faith.

The encounter between Prophet Musa (Moses) (peace be upon him) and Allah is a profound moment that highlights the power and majesty of Allah, as well as the limitations of human perception.

The Invisibility of Allah

In Surah Al-An’am (6:103), the Quran further emphasizes the incomprehensibility of Allah’s essence:

“Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.”

This verse underscores the following:

1. Inaccessibility to Human Vision: Allah’s essence is beyond the grasp of human sight. No vision can encompass Him.
2. Allah’s Omniscience: While humans cannot perceive Allah with their eyes, He perceives everything. He is aware of all that exists and happens.
3. Attributes of Allah: The names “the Subtle” (Al-Latif) and “the Acquainted” (Al-Khabir) highlight His nuanced understanding and intimate knowledge of all things.

These teachings invite believers to recognize the limitations of their understanding and perception when it comes to the Divine. They also emphasize Allah’s unparalleled power, wisdom, and presence. Reflecting on these stories and verses fosters humility and awe in the face of Allah’s grandeur and deepens our appreciation for the ways He manifests His guidance and presence in the world.

It is mentioned 1 time in the Holy Quran

The Light of Guidance and Clarity

Allah, as An-Noor, represents both literal and metaphorical illumination. His light not only signifies physical brightness but also the spiritual enlightenment that guides humanity through darkness. In Surah An-Nur, Allah’s light is described as unparalleled in its ability to offer clarity and guidance:

 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

“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 pearly [white] 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 An-Nur, 24:35)

This verse highlights that Allah’s light is not confined to physical realms but also illuminates the hearts and minds of believers. His light is a source of guidance that transcends worldly limitations, helping humanity find clarity and purpose amidst confusion and darkness.

An-Noor: The Protector with a Veil of Light

The hadith narrated by Abu Musa speaks about Allah’s veil being light, an indication of both His majesty and mercy. While the veil shields His creation from the overwhelming splendor of His essence, it also represents His protection and care for creation:

“His veil is the light. In the hadith narrated by Abu Bakr (instead of the word ‘light’), it is fire. If He withdraws it, the splendor of His countenance would consume His creation so far as His sight reaches.”

The veil of light symbolizes Allah’s divine transcendence, ensuring that creation is not overwhelmed by His majesty. It also highlights that even in His hiddenness, Allah provides guidance and protection to all of creation. Through the veil, we understand that while humans cannot fully comprehend Allah, His presence is still felt through the guidance and sustenance He provides to the world.

The Incomprehensibility of Allah’s Essence

Allah, as An-Noor, is beyond human comprehension. The Quran emphasizes that no vision can grasp Him, though He perceives all. This serves as a reminder of the limits of human perception and the infinite nature of Allah:

لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصَارَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

“Vision perceives Him not, but He perceives [all] vision; and He is the Subtle, the Acquainted.” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:103)

This verse underlines that Allah’s light is not something that can be seen with the human eye. Instead, His presence is felt through His attributes and actions. While humans cannot physically perceive Allah, His light is evident in the world through His mercy, guidance, and knowledge. The attributes “the Subtle” (Al-Latif) and “the Acquainted” (Al-Khabir) further reveal that Allah’s light is both intricate and all-encompassing, guiding humanity in ways that may not always be immediately visible or understood.

In reflecting on Allah as An-Noor, believers are invited to recognize their limited capacity to fully grasp His essence while appreciating the immense guidance and protection His light provides.