“Noor” vs. “Naar”: The Concept of Noor-e-Muhammadi in Islamic Mysticism

By Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, New Age Islam 11 November 2024 Noor—an Arabic-origin word etymologically meaning light and illumination— is one of the attributes of God in Islam. Allah is the light of heavens and the earth and is the only source of light, says the Qur’an: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, and the crystal is like a shining and radiant star ....” (24:35). The term "Noor" in the Qur'an is used both literally and metaphorically. It carries profound spiritual and symbolic meanings, often signifying the divine light that guides believers, represents God's presence, and illuminates the hearts and minds of those who seek the truth. The Qur’anic concept of "Noor" is often used to represent divine guidance, wisdom, and knowledge provided by Allah to those who are righteous. It is the light that leads people away from darkness (ignorance, sin, disbelief) to the light of faith and truth. This divine light is a key theme in the Qur'an, reflecting Allah’s mercy and direction for humanity. Take a look at these verses: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is Noor: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is often described as a bearer of light, as he was sent to illuminate the hearts of mankind with the message of Islam. The Qur'an refers to him as a guiding light for believers. "And [as] a bearer of good tidings and a warner, and to one who invites to Allah by His permission and an illuminating lamp (Noor)." Al-Ahzab (33:46) In this verse, the Prophet Muhammad is referred to as a "Noor" (light) because his message brings clarity and truth to those lost in darkness. The Qur'an is Noor: "O People of the Scripture, there has come to you Our Messenger, making clear to you much of what you used to hide in the Scripture and overlooking much. There has come to you from Allah a light (Noor) and a clear Book." Al-Ma'idah (5:15) This verse emphasizes that the Qur'an is a source of divine light that brings clarity and understanding to those who embrace it. The Qur'an itself is referred to as a source of light (Noor) because it provides spiritual guidance and wisdom for those who believe in it. It is a guide to righteousness, a book of illumination for the soul, leading believers to the straight path of God. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: An Exposition of the Verse of Light (Ayat al-Nur) --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Heart of the Believer is Noor: "O you who have believed, fear Allah and believe in His Messenger, and He will give you two portions of His mercy and make for you a light (Noor) by which you will walk..." Al-Hadid (57:28) This verse illustrates the idea that faith in Allah and His Messenger brings spiritual illumination, which leads the believer through the darkness of life. The "Noor" thus also represents the light in the hearts of the believers. When people embrace faith and follow the guidance of Allah, their hearts become illuminated with divine light, which transforms their lives and their relationship with the Creator. Noor is a ‘Symbol of Truth’: In many places in the Qur'an, Noor is juxtaposed with darkness, representing the contrast between truth and falsehood, guidance and misguidance, faith and disbelief. The light symbolizes righteousness, while darkness represents ignorance and sin. "Allah is the protector of those who have believed—He brings them out from darknesses into the light. And those who have disbelieved— their allies are taghut [false gods or forces] who take them out of the light into darknesses..." Al-Baqarah (2:257) Theological and Mystical Interpretations of Noor: Allah’s Essence: Some Sufi mystics interpret "Noor" as the manifestation of Allah's essence. According to these interpretations, light is not merely a creation, but a way of expressing divine beauty, knowledge, and mercy. Spiritual Illumination: Sufi mystics often use the concept of Noor to describe the inner light that illuminates the hearts of those who seek closeness to Allah. This light helps believers see beyond the material world and understand spiritual truths. Divine Manifestation: In some mystical traditions, Noor is also seen as the "first creation" or a divine emanation from Allah, serving as a source of all other forms of light and creation. Thus, Noor in Islamic mysticism is both feminine and masculine divine attribute and therefore is widely used as a male and female name among Muslims in Arabia and South Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Various derivatives of the same Arabic root letters al-Noor or al-Nūr include Munawwar (bright or full of light), Tanweer (radiant, illuminating or enlightening), Anwar (the most radiant or the brightest) and Al-Anwaar (plural of Noor) with its variants in other languages being: Noora, Nora, Norah, Noura. This article will attempt to show how the term “Noor-e-Muhammadi” (the Prophetic Light) has been adopted in Sufism not just literally but with its wider scope and the spiritual and mystical significances. In Indian Sufism, the term “Noor” has deeper connotations. To the Indian Sufis, Noor is the first creation of God from which all other creatures and all beings gradually emanated. In fact, Noor is the prophetic light that entails the core spiritual essence of human life in Sufism. Muslim mystics believe that while creating this universe, Allah created his replica in the form of Noor-e-Muhammadi (the Prophet’s light). That is, God first created the light of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and then gave life to other creations with the Prophet’s Noor. In this sense, the Prophet (pbuh) is the “Noor” or spiritual manifestation of God’s signs and an epitome of His wide embrace of all creations regardless of faith and creed. An Indian mystic famously said in his Urdu couplet in praise of the Prophet (Na’at): Wahi Jo Mustawwi-e-Arsh Hai Khuda Ho Kar. Utar Pada Hai Madine Mein Mustafa Ho Kar. (Translation: The One who ascends the Throne/Arsh as Allah has descended in Madina as Mustafa/Muhammad PBUH) This goes in detail in a hadith narration by Jabir bin Abdullah, a companion of the Prophet. He asked the Prophet about the first thing that God created. The Prophet replied, “O Jabir! Allah created the light of my Prophethood before all existence”. He added: “The Noor/Light was created at a time when there was no heaven or hell, or angel, or sun, or moon, jinn or human being.” The Prophet further explained: “Allah divided the Noor into four parts. From the first part, He created Qalam (pen), Lawh (tablet) from the second part, and Arsh (throne) from the third part. He split up the fourth part into four. Then He created the skies from the first part, the earth from the second and heaven and hell from the third. Then again, the fourth part was split into four. From the first, Allah created the light of the eyes of his servants. And from the second one, He created the light of their hearts so as to attain Ma’rifat, which is defined in Sufi terms as knowledge of God through the heart (Qalb). Through Ma'rifat, soul feels at one with what s/he knows. It is actually the introduction of the heart to the divine realisation resulting into ultimate union with the Beloved Creator. So, the prophets and messengers were sent to everyone in every part of this planet without any distinction, to draw them closer to the Creator. Therefore, the prophetic light—Noor-e-Muhammadi—was created at the very outset, in full accordance by divine design. Imam Busiri RA, an early Sufi mystic has illustrated this point in his beautiful exegesis: “Prophet is the perfect human being. If it were not for him, no one would ever have known the Creator. Even the fabric of the universe would not have been woven into existence. For the Prophet is the heart of the divine presence and essence. He is the sign of the Oneness, the key to all the divine secrets”. In Islamic mysticism, the term "Noor-e-Muhammadi carries deep spiritual and mystical significance particularly within Sufi thought imbibed by the Naqshbandiyya, referring to a divine, transcendent light that emanates from the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is believed to be the source of all creation. It propounds that the “Divine Light or Noor is the Source of All Creations”. Not just the Naqshbandis, Sufis of all hues often exhort that the Noor-e-Muhammadi was the first light created by Allah, from which everything in the universe emanated. This light is seen as the primordial essence of all existence. It is believed that everything in creation, including the physical and spiritual worlds, came into being through this light. In Sufi cosmology, Noor-e-Muhammadi is Mystical and Metaphysical. Thus this Noor is not to be understood in a literal, physical sense, but rather as a metaphysical and spiritual force. It symbolizes divine guidance, wisdom, and the presence of God. Thus, the Noor-e-Muhammadi is associated with the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad—his mercy, beauty, knowledge, and love—serving as a vehicle through which divine truths and wisdom are transmitted. The Prophet as Noor-e-Ilahi (Divine Light) is the Perfect Mirror. Sufi teachings often highlight that the Prophet Muhammad is the "perfect mirror" reflecting the divine qualities of Allah. In this view, the Noor-e-Muhammadi is the manifestation of divine attributes, and by following the Prophet, Sufis believe they can attain proximity to the Divine Light. For a Sufi seeker, connecting with the Noor-e-Muhammadi is a process of spiritual enlightenment. It is said that by attuning oneself to this light—through prayer, meditation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and spiritual practices—a disciple can purify the heart and soul, leading to a deeper understanding of God and closer communion with the Divine. The Noor-e-Muhammadi is also closely associated with divine love, as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is often described as the embodiment of God's love and mercy. Jalaluddin Rumi and Ibn al-Arabi, as well as other several Indian Sufi mystics frequently refer to the light of Muhammad as a symbol of God's boundless love, which is intended to guide humanity toward salvation. Noor also refers to the "cold light of the night" or "heatless light" i.e. the light of the moon. This light is implied in Islamic mysticism as a symbol for "God's guidance", or divine knowledge and gnosis, and is a symbol of mercy of Allah in contrast to Naar (fire), which refers to the diurnal solar "hot light" and hence hellfire or God’s wrath as employed in so many verses in the Qur’an. The term "Naar" in contrast to Noor in the Qur'an is used metaphorically in various contexts. The most frequent use of the word "Naar" in the Qur'an refers to the fire of Hell, a place of punishment for those who reject faith and live in continued denial and sin. Thus, it often represents Naar-e-Jahannum, the Hellfire but at the same time it also refers to the physical fire created by God in the world. It is described as a blazing, consuming fire that burns with intense heat. For instance— "But if you do not, and you will never be able to, then fear the Fire (Naar), whose fuel is people and stones..." Al-Baqarah (2:24). "And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination. When they are thrown into it, they hear it roaring as it boils up..." Al-Mulk (67:6-7). Naar or Fire is also used metaphorically in the Qur'an to signify spiritual suffering, such as the consequences of ingratitude to God. It represents the intensity of God's wrath and the devastating consequences of straying from the path of God-consciousness and righteousness. See these verses: "But those who disbelieve and deny Our signs are the companions of Hellfire." Al-Baqarah (2:39). "Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger – indeed, for him is the fire of Hell?" At-Tawbah (9:63). One of the most notable references to "Naar" in the Qur'an is the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was thrown into a fire by his people for rejecting their idols. However, according to the Qur'anic narrative, Allah commanded the fire to be cool and safe for him: “We said, 'O fire, be coolness and safety upon Ibrahim” Al-Anbiya (21:69). However, Naar or Fire is also mentioned in the Qur'an as a Sign of Divine Power, and a reminder of His ability to create, control, and destroy. In this context, Naar is not only a physical element but also a reminder of God's might and sovereignty. See this verse: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp..." An-Nur (24:35). Tellingly, this verse, while not directly about fire, uses the metaphor of Noor or Light, which is often implied in Qur'anic symbolism to represent God's guidance. More to the point, in some instances, Naar also symbolizes purification of souls, representing the testing of believers. Much like gold and silver that are purified in fire, the believer’s faith is purified through trials. The Qur’an goes on to say: "Every soul will taste death. And you will only be given your reward in full on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]..." Al-Imran (3:185): To sum up, the term "Naar" in the Qur'an is used to refer primarily to Hellfire, a symbol of the severe consequences for those who reject faith and disobey God. But at the same time, it also represents the power of God in controlling and creating fire, and sometimes appears metaphorically to describe spiritual purification as a consequence of trials and tribulations. On the contrary, "Noor" (light) symbolizes divine guidance, gnosis, knowledge, wisdom, and the omnipresence of Allah. It is interchangeably used to describe the Qur'an, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and the spiritual illumination that believers experience when they embrace faith. The Noor-e-Ilahi or light of Allah contrasts with the darkness of disbelief, shirk, sin, ignorance and ingratitude to God. While Noor symbolises God's guidance as a source of spiritual transformation, leading the believer from the darkness of error to the light of truth and righteousness, Naar emphasizes the devil’s power and actions as a result of God’s wrath. Thus, while the Qur'an uses the imagery of Naar to provoke fear of punishment and reflection on divine power and God’s wrath as symbolised in the power of Satan, it uses the concept of Noor to invoke the divine attributes of mercy, justice and peace as embodied in the Prophets. So, both the two powers and attributes emanate from the same God. But it is enjoined upon mankind to choose wisely whether which one they will acquire. This is precisely what inspired Allama Iqbal—the Sage of Ummah (Hakeemul Ummat) and an Urdu-Persian Poet of the East (Sha’ir-e-Mashriq)—to compose the following Urdu couplet: “Amal Se Zindagi Banti Hai Jannat Bhi, Jahannum Bhi Ye Khaki Apni Fitrat Mein Na Noori Hai Na Naari Hai Iqbal, in his mystical meditation, states: By action [and intention] only, life may become both heaven and hell; This [humankind] creature of dust in its nature is neither of Light nor of Fire.” ------- A Regular Columnist with Newageislam.com, Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi is an Indo-Islamic scholar, Sufi poet and English-Arabic-Urdu-Hindi writer with a background in a leading Sufi Islamic seminary in India. He is currently serving as Head of International Affairs at Voice for Peace & Justice, Jammu & Kashmir. 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