Path
Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 1–3This chapter was revealed in the year 6 A.H., after the campaign of Banu al- Mustaliq.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 4–5If adultery is declared a serious crime, it follows, logically, that falsely accusing a person of adultery must be considered a serious crime too.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 6–10One of the issues, which is given special emphasis, is that of a man who, without having any witness to prove his case, accuses his wife of going astray; there is only his word for it.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 11If a preacher is really treading the path of Truth, then any false propaganda issued against him in fact proves useful to him, because the Truth is ultimately bound to prevail.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 12–13Every right-minded believer must think well of his fellow believer.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 14–18The role of the Prophet Muhammad was that of a preacher of Truth.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 19–20Criticism may therefore be legitimate or illegitimate.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 21To follow in the footsteps of Satan means acting upon his secret evil promptings.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 22‘A’ishah’s father, Abu Bakr, had been giving financial help to Mistah ibn Uthatha, a poor migrant from Makkah, who was a distant relative of his.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 23–25Man often denigrates others.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 26A man is not bad simply because evil is spoken of him.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 27–29The demands of social life require people to meet each other frequently.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 30By way of guidance as to how men and women should behave at home and in society, two basic injunctions have been given here—one defines that portion of the body which must be covered (satr), while the other advises that the eyes should be cast down.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 31With regard to ladies, satr defines which parts of her body a woman must cover and which parts she may keep uncovered, either in or outside her house, and before whom, when and under what conditions.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 32–34Islam clearly approves of married life for both men and women.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 35This is a metaphor with many layers of meaning.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 36–38A mosque in an inhabited locality has the same importance as the heart in the human body.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 39–40In stark contrast to the person who revives his inner natural urge and consequently is blessed with the wealth of faith, there exists the other type whose ‘oil’ does not become ignited by the fire of Truth.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 41–42What God requires of man, is that he should always remain in the state of submission as demanded by acknowledgement of the Truth.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 43–44Events of the physical world give direct introduction of the Creator, but only to those who possess insight.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 45–46To all appearances, this is a world of multiplicity.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 47–50While the Prophet was in Madinah, there was a group which had apparently accepted Islam, but which was not really sincere about religion.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 51–52The believer is one who makes himself subservient to God and His Prophet.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 53–54One whose heart has been deeply permeated by God-realisation always has his eyes downcast.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 55The promise of the grant of a dominant status applied initially to the Prophet Muhammad and his companions, but it also applies to the whole community of the believers.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 56–57The blessings of God refer to the position of dominance in the present world and Paradise in the Hereafter.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 58–60In some of the preceding verses certain instructions regarding social behaviour are given.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 61Before the advent of Islam, Arab society enjoyed total freedom.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verse 62Circumstances often merit holding consultations on common issues to seek co- operation collectively.Chapter 24, Light (Al-Nur) · verses 63–64The commandment to obey the Prophet of God was directly applicable to his contemporaries and subsequently became applicable to all believing men and women.