An-Nūr
The Light
Root ن و ر (n-w-r). According to al-Rāghib, the word nūr refers to diffused light, which aids in sight both physically and intellectually. In the Qur'an, munīr means ‘light-giving’, as seen in the verse 33:46. The same root gives nār, meaning fire. Lisān al-ʿArab, drawing from Ibn al-Athīr, describes An-Nūr as the One by whose light the blind sees and by whose guidance the astray is guided. The Qur'an uses nūr in construct: ‘Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth’ (24:35).
The root
ن و رn-w-r
Light. Al-Rāghib defines nūr as diffused light that helps one to see, both sensory and intelligible; Lisān al-ʿArab (citing Ibn al-Athīr) explains an-Nūr as the One by whose light the blind sees and by whose guidance the astray is guided.
- مُنِيرmunīrlight-giving (33:46)
- نَارnārfire
Pronunciation
النُّورُ
an-NOOR
In the Qur'an
۞ اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
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.
24:35 · Sahih International