Overview (Verses 52)

The Guiding Light

Thus have We revealed a spirit to you [Muhammad] by Our command You knew neither revelation nor faith, but We made it a light, guiding with it whoever We will of Our servants. You most certainly give guidance to the straight path, the path of God, to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and earth. Most certainly, to God all things shall in the end return. (Verses 52-53)

It was by means of such contact that revelation was given to the Prophet: "Thus have We revealed a spirit to you [Muhammad] by Our command." (Verse 52) The process was the same as revelation granted to earlier messengers, bringing to the Prophet a 'spirit' that gives life to souls, motivating them to act and implement the Divine message. "You knew neither revelation nor faith." (Verse 52) The Qur'an describes the Prophet's soul prior to revelation in this way. The Prophet had heard of revelation and faith before, because the Arabs were aware of other communities that had scriptures and believed in a well-defined faith. It is not the mere knowledge of such matters that this statement refers to. The reference here is to how revelation affected the Prophet's heart and conscience and how he interacted with it. He certainly experienced nothing of this before this spirit was revealed to him by God's command.

"But We made it a light, guiding with it whoever We will of Our servants." (Verse 52) This is the total nature of the message given through this revelation. It is a light that imparts happiness to those hearts that are guided by it. "You most certainly give guidance to the straight path, the path of God." (Verses 52-53) Special emphasis is placed here on relating guidance to God's will, making it clear that He alone grants it only to whom He will on the basis of His own knowledge, shared with no one else. The Prophet is only the means chosen to fulfil God's will. He does not initiate guidance in people's hearts. He only delivers God's message which opens the way to the fulfilment of God's will.

"You most certainly give guidance to the straight path, the path of God to whom belongs all that is in the heavens and earth." (Verses 52-53) Guidance shows us the path of God, at which point all ways converge, because it leads to the Sovereign who alone has dominion over the heavens and the earth. Whoever is guided to His path is certain to know the laws that God has set in operation in the universe, bringing their forces into play and providing sustenance to all. Hence, the whole universe turns to its Supreme Owner to whom all shall return: "Most certainly, to God all things shall in the end return." (Verse 53) He will then judge them all. Such is the light God has given so that people will go along the way He has chosen for them; they will return to Him having obeyed His command and benefited by His guidance.

Thus the surah is brought to its conclusion. It began with a discussion of revelation, which provided its main theme. It stated that revelation started with the early prophets, making it clear that Divine religion is one, outlining the same code and showing the same way. It gives humanity its new leadership represented by the person of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and in the community that believes in his message. This community is entrusted with the task of guiding people to the straight path leading to God. The surah also outlines the characteristics of this community which qualify it to provide sound leadership. It is this community that shoulders the trust bestowed from on high by the sublime process of revelation.