An-Noor

An-Noor

Explanation

Meaning of An-Noor (ٱلنُّور)

The name An-Noor (ٱلنُّور) is one of the beautiful names (Asma’ul Husna) of ALLAH and carries a profound meaning in Islamic theology. Below is a detailed explanation of this name along with its Quranic context and significance.

Linguistic and Theological Meaning

  • Etymology:
    The name An-Noor is derived from the Arabic root ن-و-ر (N-W-R), which means light, illumination, radiance, or brightness. It signifies something that removes darkness, provides guidance, and reveals the truth.

  • The Divine Light:
    In Islamic thought, ALLAH as An-Noor means that He is the source of all light—both physical and spiritual. His light is what illuminates the heavens and the earth, guides the hearts of believers, and removes the darkness of ignorance and disbelief.

  • Beyond Physical Light:
    The light of ALLAH is not just the physical light we see but also the light of wisdom, truth, and divine guidance. His Noor is what leads people from falsehood to truth, from misguidance to righteousness.

 

Significance in Islamic Thought

1. ALLAH as the Source of All Guidance

  • Just as physical light allows humans to see, the light of ALLAH allows humans to comprehend the truth.
  • His divine light is present in the Qur’an, the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ, and the hearts of believers.

2. Light vs. Darkness in the Qur’an

The Qur’an frequently contrasts light (Noor) with darkness (Zulumat):

  • “ALLAH is the ally of those who believe. He brings them out from darkness into light.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:257)
  • “And is one who was dead and We gave him life and made for him light by which to walk among the people like one who is in darkness, never to emerge from it?” (Surah Al-An’am 6:122)

These verses emphasize that ALLAH leads people from ignorance and sin toward knowledge and righteousness.

3. Noor as a Metaphor for Faith

  • The presence of ALLAH’s Noor in a person’s heart means true faith.
  • The absence of ALLAH’s Noor results in spiritual blindness and misguidance.
  • This Noor is reflected in good deeds, knowledge, and piety.

 

Spiritual and Practical Lessons from An-Noor

1. Seeking ALLAH’s Noor

  • Since ALLAH is An-Noor, we should seek His light through:
    • Reading and reflecting on the Qur’an.
    • Performing sincere acts of worship.
    • Avoiding sin and darkness.
    • Asking ALLAH for light in our hearts, actions, and understanding.

2. Being a Source of Light for Others

  • We should spread knowledge, kindness, and wisdom to illuminate the lives of others.
  • The Prophet ﷺ said:
    “The best of people are those who bring the most benefit to others.” (Hadith – Ahmad, Hasan)

3. Making Dua for Noor

The Prophet ﷺ used to make the following dua:

اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا، وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا، وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا، وَعَنْ يَسَارِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ تَحْتِي نُورًا، وَاجْعَلْنِي نُورًا
“O ALLAH, place light in my heart, in my sight, in my hearing, on my right, on my left, above me, below me, and make me a light.” (Hadith – Sahih Muslim)

 

Practical Lessons from the Name An-Noor

  1. Seek Knowledge & Guidance: Since ALLAH is the Light, we must turn to HIM for true understanding.

  2. Strive for Spiritual Illumination: Purify the heart through worship, Quran, and righteous deeds to receive ALLAH’s light.

  3. Be a Reflection of HIS Light: A true believer should spread goodness, just as light dispels darkness.

 

Final Reflections

The name An-Noor encapsulates ALLAH’s divine illumination, guidance, and wisdom. He is the light of the heavens and the earth, the source of all truth, and the One who leads His servants from darkness into light. His Noor is reflected in the Qur’an, in faith, and in the righteous actions of believers.

By reflecting on An-Noor, we are reminded to seek ALLAH’s guidance, be a source of light for others, and strive to remove darkness from our hearts and lives.

May ALLAH, An-Noor, fill our hearts with HIS eternal light and guide us to the straight path. Ameen.

 

 

Quran References

The most significant mention of An-Noor in the Qur’an is in the famous Ayat an-Noor

Surah An-Noor (24:35):

Arabic:
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Translation:
“ALLAH is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of HIS light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. ALLAH guides to HIS light whom HE wills. And ALLAH presents examples for the people, and ALLAH is Knowing of all things.”

Explanation:
This is the most definitive verse on ALLAH’s name An-Noor. It describes HIS divine light as pure, radiant, and beyond human comprehension—guiding whom HE wills. The metaphor of the lamp signifies the clarity and brilliance of HIS guidance, untouched by imperfection.

Other Quranic Verses Related

Surah Al-Hadid (57:9):

Arabic:
هُوَ الَّذِي يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ لِّيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُمْ لَرَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Translation:
“It is HE who sends down upon HIS Servant [Muhammad] verses of clear evidence that HE may bring you out from darkness into the light. And indeed, ALLAH is to you Kind and Merciful.”

Explanation:
Here, ALLAH’s light symbolizes guidance (Huda), rescuing people from the darkness of disbelief (kufr) into the light of faith (iman).

Surah Al-Hadid (57:12):

Arabic:
يَوْمَ تَرَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَسْعَىٰ نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِم بُشْرَاكُمُ الْيَوْمَ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

Translation:
“On the Day you see the believing men and women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], ‘Your good tidings today are of gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein you will abide eternally.’ That is the great attainment.”

Explanation:
This verse describes how believers will be distinguished by their light on Judgment Day—a divine illumination resulting from their faith and good deeds.

Surah Az-Zumar (39:22):

Arabic:
أَفَمَن شَرَحَ اللَّهُ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُم مِّن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

Translation:
“Is one whose heart ALLAH has expanded to [accept] Islam and is upon a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of ALLAH. It is they who are in manifest error.”

Explanation:
This verse contrasts a heart filled with ALLAH’s light (guidance and openness to truth) with a hardened heart (closed to faith). True believers carry divine illumination in their souls.

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:257):

Arabic:
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ ۖ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُم مِّنَ النُّورِ إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

Translation:
“ALLAH is the ally of those who believe. HE brings them out from darkness into the light. But those who disbelieve—their allies are the false deities. They take them out of the light into darkness. Those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.”

Explanation:
This verse establishes ALLAH as the Protector of believers, leading them from ignorance (darkness) to truth (light), while disbelievers are dragged into darkness by false idols.