Servant Of The Light

Below is the exposition given by Late G.A.Parwez in his 3 volume Urdu Quran. The new English rendering.

(34)        And We have revealed unto you these directives in clear and candid terms. Also (in order to explain and illustrate them further) We have quoted some evidence from the history of earlier generations, showing what happens to those who rebel against the divine laws. Therefore, Our directives and the historical evidence given in their support are clear guidelines which provide high ethical values for those who want their lives to be safe from devastation. 

( 35)        (All these guidelines coming to you from Allah Almighty, will illuminate the dark avenues of your life - 5:15, 42:52.)  This light (is not given to you alone but) is spread throughout the universe.

            (Allah has created everything and then provided the guidance which would take it to its destined course - 20:51. This light has not been provided to you alone; it is spread all over. This guidance is given instinctively to everything in the universe at the very time of its creation. However, to human beings, it is given separately in the form of a book.) A parable of this torch of Allah’s guidance (wahi) is that it is like a source of light which is placed in a niche (which is closed from the back and therefore safe, but open in front from where this light can spread everywhere). This source of light would be like a glittering lamp giving out pure, clear and soothing light while it is enclosed in a spotlessly clear transparent glass wherein it is safe from outward impurities (41:42). This light itself shines like a radiant star from where rivulets of light emerge. Furthermore, that lamp is lit from the oil of the blessed olive tree, which is far above any affinity with the east or west and is available to all human beings alike. That oil itself is not dependent on any outside source for its ignition. It is luminous by itself and provides light to others. (Wahi therefore, does not need any outside help to explain its text.) In fact, it is much more than a lamp; it is many layers of light, one set upon the other. It is the embodiment of light; it is all light.

            Such is the light of Allah (the wahi) towards which He guides everyone who seeks guidance. Allah propounds such perceptible parables to explain abstract realities, so that people may comprehend clearly. Such parables come from Allah, Who knows what the reality is and how best it can be explained by various similitudes.

(36)        This light of Allah’s wahi illuminates the homes (of the Jamat-ul-Momineen) where various attributes and directives of Allah are under constant consideration; and whereby they attain high positions in the world. (By always adhering to these laws) The residents of these homes are (continuously) busy, day and night in establishing and stabilizing the divine system.