Examining the Instances of the Concept of Light in Mystical Exegeses of the Holy Qur'an

Abstract

Mystical exegesis is one of the most significant interpretive approaches adopted by exegetes in understanding the Qur'an. In this perspective, mystics attain the inner meanings of the verses based on ta’wil (esoteric interpretation), kashf (unveiling), and shuhūd (spiritual witnessing). At the heart of the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, light (nūr)—as a multifaceted concept and one of its fundamental symbols—has played a crucial role in shaping both the material and spiritual perception of human beings regarding the world and themselves. Accordingly, this study investigates the instances of the concept of light in the mystical interpretations of the Qur'an. Light in the Qur'an encompasses diverse instances, including: sensory light and material illumination, enlightenment and guidance in life, knowledge and gnosis, revelation and the descent of the Holy Qur'an, divine gnosis, the unity of existence (wahdat al-wujūd), the Muhammadan Reality (ḥaqīqat al-Muḥammadiyya), and divine truth and understanding. Based on these meanings, one may consider both external (ẓāhirī) and internal (bāṭinī) interpretations for the instances of the concept of light. The external instances focus on the worldly and material aspects of light—where light is regarded as a natural phenomenon providing daylight and protection from the darkness of night. On the other hand, internal instances, within the scope of mystical exegeses of the Qur'an, transform the concept of light into a more complex metaphor. This article analyzes the instances of the concept of light in mystical interpretations of the Qur'an and demonstrates how light evolves from a material concept into a multidimensional spiritual metaphor—interpreted as the unity of existence, the Muhammadan Reality, and the connection to divine truth.