The Interpretation and Meaning of Mathalu Nūrihi Kamishkāh
Source: Fatāwā Amanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amanpuri
❖ Question:
Allah Almighty says:
مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ
The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp.
(Al-Nūr: 35)
In this verse, Allah has given the example of His light as a lamp placed in a niche, while in another verse He negates any likeness or similarity with Himself:
لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ
There is nothing like unto Him.
(Al-Shūrā: 11)
How can these verses be reconciled?
❖ Answer:
There is no contradiction between these two verses.
- The verse لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِ شَيْءٌ affirms that nothing is like Allah.
- The verse مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ speaks of the light (nūr) created by Allah.
❖ Types of Allah’s Light (Nūr)
- Allah’s Attribute of Light
- This is part of Allah’s essence and attributes.
- No example or likeness can be given for it, because Allah has no equal.
- Created Light from Allah
- This is the light Allah places in the hearts of believers through faith, knowledge, remembrance, and love of Him.
- The verse refers to this created light.
❖ Explanation of the Example
The light of faith in the believer’s heart has been likened to a lamp placed in a niche.
- The point of similarity is illumination: both a lamp and faith provide light.
- Although the light of faith is far greater than that of a lamp, in analogy, sometimes the more familiar image is used, even if it is lesser in reality.
- The lamp is universally known for its clarity and brightness, which makes it suitable for analogy, even though the light of faith is stronger.
✅ Conclusion:
The verse does not liken Allah’s attribute to creation. Instead, it illustrates the created light of faith in the hearts of believers, comparing it to a lamp in a niche for clarity and familiarity. The two verses thus complement each other without contradiction.
