for the sun itself is not inside the air and the earth; only its ray has come to rest there. In the same way one ought to say: likewise, the light of God, His proof, His guidance, and His spirit have settled. When you put it like this you are merely reporting what the Prophets transmitted, for their scriptures proclaim that God’s light, His spirit, and His guidance are in the hearts of the believers—without any special privilege for the Messiah in that regard. The Exalted has said:

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is within a glass; the glass is as though it were a brilliant star” ⦗24:35⦘.

Ubayy ibn Kaʿb commented: The likeness of His light is in the heart of the believer.

Al-Tirmidhi relates from Abu Saʿid, from the Prophet—may blessings and peace be upon him—that he said: “Beware the discernment of the believer, for he sees by the light of Allah,” and then he recited His saying: