Beautiful Names of Allah
The All-Light
By
Dr. Ali Juma’a1
Allah (SWT)2 is the Light of the heavens and the earth. However, His Light is unlike any
other. He Himself is the All-Light, the Source of light, the Creator of light, the
Originator of the impact of light and the Sender of light.
Light is found in sunlight as well as anything that dispels darkness. Therefore, when
electricity was discovered we called it light. Light is referred to when we mention
guidance, which is why the Tawrah (the Old Testament), the Injil (Gospel), and the
Qur'an reflect this light of guidance because they are sent from Allah (SWT). Moreover,
light is called upon the Prophet (SAWS)3. We used to frequently say, “All Prayers of
Allah be upon the light of the Prophet.” However, this is rarely said nowadays and how
we wish it would recur. The Prophet (SAWS) is light; the light of his soul, his heart, his
guidance, in his da’wa (missionary activity) and light upon light.
Accordingly, light is the name given to all creations and attributes such as the Qur’an
which is not a creature although it is still light. Allah (SWT) indicates this point as he
communicates with us in the language of humanity, which reaches our minds and moves
our hearts as well as our souls. Allah (SWT) shows us that He dispels the darkness of
immorality and sins from our hearts, replacing it with the light of faith. Thus, those who
experience the tenderness of the light of faith in their hearts find that they can never stray
from it since Allah (SWT) is the All-Light.
Some people interpret the ayah in which Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“Allah is The Light of the heavens and the earth,” (TMQ, 24:35)4, in the sense that
Allah (SWT) lights the heavens and the earth. This means that He is the Source of light
and that His light is the origin of guidance. What accounts for this is that guidance has
three denotations. Firstly, guidance means providence, which is from Allah (SWT).
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “Surely you do not guide whomever you
love, but Allah guides whomever He decides…” (TMQ, 28:56). Allah (SWT)
attributed the meaning of this ayah to Himself solely and independently with no
interference or reference to anyone else since no one else has the ability to fill a person’s
heart with the light of faith except Allah (SWT). Secondly, guidance means direction.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…And surely you indeed guide to a
straight Path.” (TMQ, 42:52). The ayah means that the Prophet (SAWS) directs people
to a straight path. Thirdly, guidance means gathering and appreciating something. For
1
Dr.Ali Guma’ is the Grand Mufti of Egypt.
SWT=Suhanahu wa Ta'ala [Glorified and Exalted Be He].
3
All Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him.
4
TMQ=Translation of the Meaning of the Qur'an. This translation is for the realized meaning, so far, of
the stated (Surah: Ayah) of the Qur'an. Reading the translated meaning of the Qur'an can never replace
reading it in Arabic, the language in which it was revealed.
2
The All-Light
Beautiful Names of Allah
example, the sanctified House of Allah (SWT) (al-Ka’ba) is a guide for mankind, a place
for prayers and it has “supremely evident signs.” (TMQ, 3:97).
The Arabic language consists of a type of word called a homonym, which means that it
may have two or three meanings. However, some of the ignorant people, who do not
know this fact about the Arabic language, believe that there is a contradiction between
the ayahs, “Surely you do not guide whomever you love…,” (TMQ, 28:56) and
“…And surely you indeed guide to a straight Path.” (TMQ, 42:52). Ignorance is the
basis for calamity and denial and whether this ignorance concerns universal issues or
Islamic law, it is a disaster. Thus, Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as, “…Are
the ones who know equal to the ones who do not know?” (TMQ, 39:9). Additionally,
the period where polytheism and misunderstanding prevailed was called jahiliyya (the
pre-Islamic period). Its name is derived from al-jahl (ignorance).
The word al-ain (the eye) could mean our eyes that we view with or a well of water and
this is a common feature of the Arabic language. However, homonyms exist in all other
languages as well. Ignorant people speak out of their malice, delusion or greed and their
ideas are all based upon ignorance. May Allah (SWT) fill our hearts and minds with the
light of knowledge and faith and eliminate ignorance, for He is the All Merciful and the
Ever-Merciful.
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The All-Light