A Comparative Study of the Opinions of Exegetes Concerning the "Verse of Light"*

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Abstract

Undoubtedly an attempt to clarify the purpose of the verses by explaining their words, which have less often been dealt with, can have an immense impact on a person's cognitive and ideological perception. This research seeks to examine the "Verse of al-Noor (light)" with a view to the exegetical opinions of the exegetes of the two branches of faith, as well as criticize the unjustified interpretation of the term of "noor" (light) and the verse "Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth". Despite antagonistic views, the writer tries to substantiate the point that the term "light" has used in respect of Allah, the Exalted, in the real – not figurative – sense as stated by some exegetes of the Sunni school of thought. However, some others have forced some meanings upon these terms but in spite of the varied opinions on the holy verse "a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass…", the term 'light' refers to the light of understanding and belief, not the meanings which have been suggested by Sunni interpreters

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