Overview (Verses 35 - 38)

So far the sūrah has dealt with the most crude aspects of the human constitution in order to purify and refine them. It has dealt with sexual desire, including its different appeals, as well as the inclination to spread rumours and level accusations at people causing anger and distress. It has also dealt with indecency fermenting within people’s hearts, finding verbal expression and then spreading into actual life itself. In all these it laid down very stern punishments for adultery and for false accusation of committing it. It portrayed a horrid example of false accusations levelled at chaste women who are unaware of what is being said about them. It also provided prevention measures, such as seeking permission before entering other people’s homes, lowering one’s gaze when meeting others, and covering personal charms and adornments. It further warned against unnecessary sexual excitement, encouraged marriage and the freedom of slaves and prohibited prostitution. All these measures, varied as they are, help to control the physical impulse and strengthen the motives to maintain one’s chastity and aspire to higher standards of purity.

At the conclusion of its comments on the false story about `Ā’ishah the sūrah dealt with the lingering effects of that incident: in particular the distress, anger, distortion of values and anxiety. Thus we find the Prophet (peace be upon him) calm and reassured, `Ā’ishah herself well satisfied and happy, her father Abū Bakr kind and forgiving, and Şafwān ibn al-Mu`aţţal pleased with God’s declaration of his innocence, and the whole Muslim community turning back to God after realizing how they were lost in confusion. Now they are back on track, recognizing God’s favours and grace, and following His guidance. With such directives, education and refinement the sūrah now deals with the human soul, how it suddenly lights up, aspiring to the great light that fills the heavens and earth. Muslims are now ready to receive the enlightenment that they need in a world full of light.

God’s Radiant Light

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth.” (Verse 35) No sooner does this remarkable statement impart its meaning than a bright light spreads over the whole universe and lightens up feelings and emotions, filling hearts and minds. The entire universe swims in a radiant light. Screens and curtains are removed, hearts radiate, spirits fly high, and everything is purified in a sea of light. All shed their burdens and join together in an atmosphere of pure happiness and delight. Indeed, the universe and all it contains break their fetters so as to let the heavens and earth meet, the distant and the near come together, as do the animate and the inanimate. What is hidden joins with what is apparent, as do people’s hearts and senses.

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth.” He is the light from which they derive their essence as well as their perfect system. He is the One who gives them their existence and the law that governs such existence. Man has recently been able to discover, through scientific achievements, a part of this great truth when what they used to call ‘matter’ was transformed, through nuclear fusion, into radiation that has no form or substance other than light. Thus, man discovered that an atom contains electrons that produce radiation. By contrast, the human heart was able to comprehend this great truth many centuries before science made its discoveries. Every time the human heart attained a high level of purity, aspiring to the sublime light, it was able to understand this truth. It was fully comprehended by Muhammad, God’s Messenger, as he started his journey back from Ţā’if, when he gave up on people and sought refuge with his Lord. Appealing to God Almighty, he said: “I seek refuge in the light of Your face by which all darkness is dispelled and both this life and the life to come are put on their right courses.” His heart shined with this sublime light on his night journey which took him from Makkah to Jerusalem and then to heaven. When later `Ā’ishah, his wife, asked him whether he saw his Lord, he answered: “It is all light. How could I see Him?”

An Example Portraying God’s Light

The human heart cannot take such abundant light for long; nor can it aspire to that great horizon for long. Hence, after this statement that opens up this endless scope, the sūrah begins to bring it closer so as to make it better understood. The example is at once tangible and practical: His light may be compared to a niche containing a lamp; the lamp within a glass, the glass like a radiant star; lit from a blessed tree – an olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west. Its very oil would almost give light even though no fire had touched it. Light upon light! (Verse 35) This comparison seeks to put the infinite right before a mind that has finite ability. It simply portrays a miniscule picture to present it to man who cannot contemplate its great reality. It seeks to show the nature of light when the human imagination cannot entertain its endless spread.

The verse begins by stating the fact that “God is the light of the heavens and the earth,” but then it brings us fast from this great expanse to a niche, a small artificial wall recess in which a lamp is placed so as to focus its light and make it shine. “His light may be compared to a niche containing a lamp.” It adds one element of strength and concentration after another: “The lamp within a glass,” which protects it from the wind and purifies its light to make it stronger and more radiant: “The glass like a radiant star.” We see the glass painted here as bright, transparent, almost shining. At this point the verse links the example and the reality, the likeness and the original, the small glass and the radiant star. Thus we do not concentrate our reflection on the miniscule picture which is presented only to help us understand the great reality.

The sūrah immediately reverts to the small example of the lamp, which is “lit from a blessed tree – an olive tree...” The purest light known to the first people addressed by the Qur’ān was that of olive oil. But this is not the only reason for choosing this example. It is an example that has connotations of sacredness associated with the blessed tree. These connotations recall the image of the sacred valley, the nearest place to Arabia in which olive trees grow in abundance. The Qur’ān refers to this tree and gives it special significance: “We bring forth... a tree that grows on Mount Sinai yielding oil and relish for all to eat.” (23: 19-20) It is a tree that lives for ages, and it brings endless benefits to man through its oil, wood, leaves and fruit. Once again the text turns from the little example to remind us of the great reality. This tree is not a particular one, and it does not belong to a particular place or direction. It is merely an example given to make the reality easier to understand. Hence, it is described as “neither of the east nor of the west.” Moreover, its oil is not the one we see and know. It is different and far more remarkable: “Its very oil would almost give light even though no fire had touched it.” It is so transparent and bright that it almost gives light without burning. The example concludes with another remarkable statement: “Light upon light.” Thus, we are back with the original light that bears no comparison.

It is God’s light that dispels all darkness in the heavens and the earth. It is a light whose nature and scope are beyond our comprehension. The aim here is to make our hearts aspire to see this light: “God guides to His light him that wills [to be guided].” (Verse 35) Those who open their hearts to the light will see it because it spreads far and wide in the heavens and the earth. It is permanent, unending, unscreened, and it never fades. Whenever the human heart looks for it, it is sure to find it. In the midst of his confusion, man can always find it providing guidance and establishing a bond between him and his Lord. This comparison is given by God so as to make our minds able to comprehend the nature of His light. He alone knows the full extent of our ability: “God propounds parables for all people, since God alone has full knowledge of all things.” (Verse 35)

This light which spreads in abundance in the heavens and earth is best seen in perfect clarity in the houses of God where people’s hearts look up to Him, remember Him, stand in awe of Him and dedicate themselves to Him in preference to all else: In houses which God has sanctioned to be raised so that His name be remembered in them, there are [such as] extol His limitless glory, morning and evening – people whom neither commerce nor profit can divert from the remembrance of God, and from attending regularly to prayer, and from charity; who are filled with fear of the day when all hearts and eyes will be convulsed; who [only hope] that God may reward them in accordance with the best that they ever did, and lavish His grace upon them. God gives to whom He wills beyond all reckoning. (Verses 36-38) There is a close affinity between the scene of the niche in the first verse and the following scene of God’s houses. This is perfectly in line with the Qur’ānic method of putting together images that have close parallels. Likewise, there is close affinity between the lamp shining with light in the niche and hearts shining with the light of glorifying God in His houses.

When God sanctions something, it takes place just as He has approved. Since He has sanctioned the raising of these houses, they are there, functioning, purified and respected. The view showing them standing tall is in harmony with God’s light that radiates throughout the heavens and the earth. These houses are naturally noble which again fits perfectly with the brilliant light described earlier. Their special, venerated position makes them fit for the remembrance of God’s name: “In houses which God has sanctioned to be raised so that His name be remembered in them.” (Verse 36) They are also in harmony with the radiant hearts of the believers who stand up in prayer, glorify God and extol His praises. They are “people whom neither commerce nor profit can divert from the remembrance of God, and from attending regularly to prayer, and from charity.” (Verse 37) Needless to say, trade and commerce aim to make a profit. Yet although these believers are engaged in such enterprises, they are not diverted from their obligation towards God or their fellow human beings. Hence they attend regularly and properly to their prayers and pay their zakāt and charity. These people “are filled with fear of the day when all hearts and eyes will be convulsed.” (Verse 37) On that day, people’s hearts and eyes will be in turmoil, unsteady. It is a day of utter fear and distress. Hence, they fear what may happen to them then. In order to spare themselves, they are never diverted by their immediate concerns of business and profit from attending to their duties towards their Lord.

Yet despite their fear, they have high hopes “that God may reward them in accordance with the best that they ever did, and lavish His grace upon them.” (Verse 38) Their hopes will never be frustrated; for, “God gives to whom He wills beyond all reckoning.” (Verse 38) There are no limits to God’s favours and no restrictions on what He may wish to bestow on His devoted servants.