God is The Light

[Bintul Huda]

Salam, Peace to all

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things.
(24:35)

A sample: http://www.islamazon.com/realaudio/godisthelight.ram

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"How great the wonders of the heavens
And the timeless beauty of the night
How great -- then how great the creator?
And its star like priceless jewels far beyond the reach of kings
Bow down for the shepard guiding him home

But how many eyes are closed to the wonder of this night?
Like pearls, hidden, deep beneath a dark stream of desires
But like dreams vanish with the call to prayer
And the dawn extinguishes night - here too are signs
God is the light
God is the light

How great the beauty of the Earth and the creatures who dwell on her
How great -- then how great the creator?
As it's mountains pierce the clouds hight about the lives of men
Weeping rivers for thousands of years

But how many hearts are closed to the wonders of this sight?
Like birds in a cage, asleep with closed wings
But as work stops with the call to prayer
And the birds recite - here too are signs
God is the light
God is the light

How great the works of man and the things he makes
How great -- then how great the creator?
Though he strives to reach the heavens he can barely survive
The wars of the world he lives in

Yet how many times he's tried, himself to immortalize?
Like his parents before him in the garden of Eden
But like the sun sets with the call to prayer
And surrenders to the night here too are signs
God is the light everlasting
God is the light everlasting
God is the light everlasting
God is the light everlasting "

~Yusuf Islam

[AbuMubarak]

SEEKING THE INNER MUSLIM
Abdullah Hakim Quick


Surely all Praises are due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His assistance, and ask His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of ourselves and the wickedness of our deeds. Verily whomever Allah guides there is none to take him astray; and whomever Allah allows to stray, there is none to guide. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship but Allah, He is one and has no partners; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and last Messenger. May Allah send His choicest blessing and Peace to Muhammad, his companions, family and all those who call to his way and establish the Sunnah till the Day of Judgment. As to what follows:

Muslims are finding themselves under great pressure today. From all sides, and in various forms, subtle and blatant, attacks are being launched against Muslim individuals, families and communities. Pressure is being applied to our eyes with the scanty summer fashions and rash of indecency on the television and in the movies. In Canada, women have been given the legal right to walk around topless in public places. Already, women can be seen mowing their lawns, sunbathing, or strolling down the street without any blouse, bra or shirt. Pressure is being applied to our ears by the constant swearing, backbiting, and scandal that we are confronted with daily. Pressure is being applied to our hands by the unavailability of jobs or loans and the growing availability of interest, mortgages, and gambling. Attacks in the media against Islam are on the increase. Muslims are blamed for slavery, wife assault, terrorism, female circumcision, ignorance and animosity to civilization.

Many Believers feel that their back is against the wall and the whole earth is closing in on them. They do not see any escape or relief in the next dew decades. Allah tells us in the Blessed Qur'an: "And whoever keeps his duty to Allah, Allah will make a way out for him and provide for him from where he knows not. And whoever depends on Allah, Allah is sufficient for him. Surely Allah will achieve His purpose. He has made a limit for all things. " (65:3)
Even the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself, who was the best of humanity, and his Companions, who were the best generation, were severely tested. For thirteen long years, the Muslims were tortured in Makkah, driven out of their homes and even killed. They were afflicted with diseases and malnutrition. One day, the Prophet (pbuh) was passing the family of Yassir (ra) who were known for their piety and their submission to the will of Allah. They were being savagely beaten and tortured. Allah had not given the Muslims the right to fight back, so the Prophet could only ease their burden by revealing to them a special part of His mercy. The Prophet said: "Patience, family of Yassir, your promised abode is Paradise."
The pain and suffering of the Makkan period forged a tight relationship between the Muslims and purified their relationship with Allah. If a person had accepted Islam for fame, glory, wealth or position, he would soon turn back on his heels. Arrogance, pride, envy and racism were eliminated and the Muslims came to see each other as being closer and more important than their own families. We should remember their struggle as we endure today's trails and tribulations.

Muslims throughout the planet are in a state of siege. Some find themselves in a hot war where the fire of the military is all around them. Others find themselves in a war of ideas where the bullets are propaganda and insults. Sometimes the effects of psychological warfare are more devastating than military warfare for they can last for more than a generation.
In the wake of this crisis, people are making critical choices about Islam. Many are choosing to accept Islam, for despite the negative attacks, they realize that Islam is the only way out of the present corruption and tyranny. Islam is the only organized way of life that can categorically oppose homosexuality, racism and secularism. Only the Qur'an and Sunnah have cohesive arguments and a moral system that can be applied in conjunction with science, politics, business and every day life. Other people are asking themselves, "Should I practice Islam completely or should I continue being Muslim in name or by culture?" They see Islamic practice in today's society as swimming against a tidal wave. So they justify selling pork, liquor, gambling tickets or committing adultery as part of modern life. They fail to recognize that "Haram" is for everybody and for all times.
How do we bring about change in our conditions and enable those who are undecided about practicing Islam to see the light of Allah's guidance. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was reported to have said, "Islam began as a stranger and will return to being a stranger so glad tidings is for those who are strange. They asked, "O Messenger of Allah" Who are the strangers?" He replied, "Those who rectify (themselves and others) when the people are corrupt." (Al-Tabarani: Sahih)
Muslims who have been blessed to revert to Islam or to practice Islam in the full sense have a great responsibility. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was "Uswatun Hasanah" (a fine example) of the practical application of Islam. He not only talked about Islam but he lived it in all spheres of his life. In order for us to make this critical change, we need to re-analyze our Islamic theory and practice. Great emphasis has been placed upon "ibadat" or the ritual aspects of Islam. Now we need to focus on Muamalat or inter-personal relationships. How many times do we hear about a Muslim who prays and fasts but he is untrustworthy, or a Muslim who wears Islamic clothing yet cheats in business! We need to look at the "Inner Muslim" and bring this personality to the surface.

The Prophet (pbuh) was visited by the Angel Jibril and asked about Islam and Iman. He was also questioned about Ihsan (righteousness). The Prophet's response was that "Ihsan is to worship Allah as though you see Him and if you cannot do this, then worship Him as though He sees you." So Jibril asked about the inner Muslim, the conscience or the essence of the person. Muslims today need to look into themselves and find that inner person. We need to ask ourselves, "Why do we pray, fast, give Zakat or go to Hajj? Are they done for Allah or for the people's attention and pleasure?"

Imam An-Nawawi laid down five principles for Ihsan which we need to study and implement into our lives. He also gave us an action plan as to how to attain them.
1. Fearing Allah in the secret and the open. This is attained through scrupulousness and being upright. The Prophet (pbuh) once said to one of his companions, "Say, I believe in Allah, and then be upright." We need to constantly look at ourselves and examine our intentions for doing what we do.
2. Living according to the Sunnah in word and deed. This state can be attained through caution and good character. Remember that the Prophet has informed us, "Haste is from the Shaitan." Putting Islam into our character will force us to implement the guidance instead of just spouting it from our mouths.
3. Indifference to whether others accept or reject us. This state can be attained through patience and entrusting our affairs with Allah. We need to stop looking around us and being afraid of whether society accepts us or whether people will be angry at our Islam. If we are right with Allah, then there is nothing to fear!
4. Satisfaction with Allah, the Most High, in scarcity and plenty. This state can be attained through contentment with what one has and submission to the Will of Allah.
5. Turning to Allah in happiness and affliction. This state can be attained through having gratitude to Allah in happiness and taking refuge in Him in affection.

May Allah help us to embody the words and warnings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who left us in an authentic hadith reported in Al-Tirmidhi: "Two characteristics are not found together in a hypocrite: good manners and understanding of religion (fiqh fi-Din)."
May Allah protect the weak and oppressed of the Ummah of Muhammad (pbuh) and give us the strength to be shining examples of this clear way of life. Surely Allah is the Off-forgiving and He has power over all affairs.


Courtesy: islaam.com

[swan]

God is the light.. everlasting. ameen. nice song.

[.: Anna :.]

Title:
Meaning of the Similitude in Al-Noor 24: 35

Question:

Could you please help me in understanding the meaning of the verse below:

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things. (Al-Noor 24: 35)

Kindly explain the meaning behind various similitudes namely Light, glass, Oil, niche etc. mentioned in the verse.

Regards,

Naina
India



Answer:

The referred verse stresses the point that it is in fact the belief in the existence of God that gives meaning and sense to all that enjoys existence. Without the belief in the existence of God, everything lacks meaning and purpose. The sentence "God is the light of the heavens and the earth" implies that it is the existence of God, as the ultimate planner and the creator which gives meaning and purpose to the physical universe that spreads around us. This belief brings them out of the darkness of doubts and skepticism into bright light. It is like the light provided by a lamp - secured against the winds by unblemished glass, which is clean as a shining star, increasing the brightness of the light - placed at a raised niche - spreading its light to the far off corners of the room. The lamp is burnt with the purest of oils taken from the best of trees raised at the most suitable of lands, which increases the brightness of the light. The purity of the oil is such that it would catch fire without even being fully ignited.

Belief in the existence of God enlightens the heart of the believer with a light that is pure, bright, beneficial and secure from all flickering. It is fully capable of fighting the onslaught of disbelief and the attacks of the Satan. It is not a light that enlightens the inner self of the believer only, but is one that benefits others as well. The true beneficiaries of this light are those, who have kept the inherent guidance that God had provided them safe and upright. Their inherent nature is like pure oil, which catches fire even without being fully ignited. Thus, for them, this light is in fact a "Light upon their existing light", which has increased the brightness of their hearts manifolds.

I hope the foregoing explanation will help you better understand the referred verse.

Regards,

Moiz Amjad
July 8, 2002

[History]

[Shared concept yet again.

"Light" is very big in Judaism.
From the light that G-d generated to initiate Creation, to G-d's own Light, the Light of Torah, the Light of Life, being a Light unto the Nations, etc., ... There is a wonderful Kabbalistic concept of G-d and Light and Creation, and the Holy Sparks present in every thing (living and inanimate) and our Purpose to elevate them from the material to the spiritual. Here's a discussion of the Jewish perspective of this. Happy Shavuos! --History]


What is a Holy Spark? Holy Sparks are like the spiritual fuel of creation, and nothing can exist or function anywhere in the universe without a Holy Spark. These are, in a sense, spiritual packets of God's Holy Light, that actually represent the constriction and filtering of that Light. Without this constriction and filtering, physical creation could never exist, because God's Light would remain too intense for anything physical to contain It. Thus, the more Holy Sparks something possesses, the holier it is and by definition the more life it has.


These are spiritual packets of God's Holy Light, constricted and filtered.

For the sake of creation, the sparks which began on a very high spiritual level were sent down to the lowest of spiritual levels, a place of great spiritual impurity. To make creation, God drew out exactly as many sparks as He deemed necessary to make creation, and left the remainder for man to utilize as a partner in perfecting creation.

There is not an infinite amount of Holy Sparks in creation. In fact, history is measured by these sparks, and will come to a close when all sparks have been drawn out of the tohu and returned to their holy source Above. It is then -- once all the sparks that God has made available to mankind are expended -- that by definition the Messianic Period must begin.

How does one use up Holy Sparks? Through the learning of Torah and the performance of mitzvot, Holy Sparks are redeemed, purified, and ascend to Above. Indeed, transgressions also use up Holy Sparks, but in the process the sparks themselves become defiled and require "cleansing" before being able to ascend. The cleansing process comes in the form of either sincere repentance by the transgressor, or through Heavenly-ordained suffering.

LIGHT UNTO NATIONS

Since Torah and mitzvot are the most effective way to utilize Holy Sparks, the nation in possession of Torah and mitzvot becomes the most effective one to complete this process. Thus it is primarily the responsibility of the Jewish people, who accepted Torah at Mount Sinai in the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE), to redeem the sparks of creation. This is the deeper meaning of the famous exhortation to be a "light unto the nations" (Isaiah 42:6).


During King Solomon's time, nations came from far and wide to access Jewish wisdom.

As long as the Jewish people remained committed to this process, as evidenced by their commitment to Torah and mitzvot, then God arranged for all relevant sparks to be brought to the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. For example, during King Solomon's time (9th century BCE), nations came from far and wide to witness the great wisdom of this famous Jewish king, bearing great gifts.

Within the many gifts and sacrifices that were brought to the land were Holy Sparks from different parts of the world. Used and enjoyed in the Land of Israel, these sparks were redeemed and returned to their place Above, thus furthering the cause of history. In turn, the exposure to Jewish wisdom resulted in other nations adopting Torah philosophy and practice, thus using up sparks through their actions as well.

http://www.aish.com/spirituality/kabbala101/Exile_and_Redemption_Part_1_Holy_Sparks.asp

Respectfully,
History

[AbuMubarak]

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, (and) the glass is as it were a brightly shining star, lit from a blessed olive-tree, neither eastern nor western, the oil whereof almost gives light though fire touch it not-- light upon light-- Allah guides to His light whom He pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah is Cognizant of all things.
(24:35)

[Ibu]

Bintul Huda very beautiful. I like you're sacred poeme

[Gwenhwyvar]

Beautiful threads.... :love:

[Bintul Huda]

:start:

Salamun alaikum

Subhanallah, i'd forgotten even posting this up.

I pray that Allah (swt) wipes away the dust from our hearts that His light may penetrate therein. I pray that He who is the source of Light gives us of this light that we may be able live and act as pleases Him, a light which guides us through all the difficulties we face in this life and the next. I pray that this Light enlightens our faces on The Day when some faces will be blackened.

O Light of lights, O Illuminator of light, O Creator of light,
O Planner of light, O Estimator of light, O Light of all
lights, O Light that precedes in existence every light, O
Light that will survive all lights, O Light that is above
every light, O Light like of which there is no light.
Praise be to Thee, there is no god but Thee,
The Granter of all Succour,
Protect us from the Fire, O Lord.

On that day you will see the faithful men and the faithful women-- their light running before them and on their right hand-- good news for you today: gardens beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein, that is the grand achievement.

On the day when the hypocritical men and the hypocritical women will say to those who believe: Wait for us, that we may have light from your light; it shall be said: Turn back and seek a light. Then separation would be brought about between them, with a wall having a door in it; (as for) the inside of it, there shall be mercy in it, and (as for) the outside of it, before it there shall be punishment.
(57:12-13)

Ma'asalama