the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is enclosed in glass, and the glass is like a radiant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither eastern nor western, whose oil would almost glow even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides to His light whom He wills.”

Faith is entirely light, and its ultimate destination is light. Its dwelling place is the radiant, illuminated heart, and those who possess it are accompanied by luminous, radiant, shining spirits. Disbelief and associating partners with Allah are entirely darkness, and their ultimate destination is darkness. Their dwelling place is in darkened hearts, and those who possess them are accompanied by darkened spirits.

Reflect, then, on seeking refuge in the Lord of daybreak from the evil of darkness and from the evil of what occurs within it. Consider this meaning in light of reality, and you will see that the Quran—indeed, these two surahs—is among the greatest signs of prophethood and proofs of the truth of Muhammad’s mission as Allah’s Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. You will also see that it opposes in every respect what the devils bring, and that what he brought was not brought down by devils: it is neither fitting for them nor within their power. They did not bring it down; it does not befit them, cannot proceed from them, and lies beyond their ability.

Herein lies the clearest and most satisfying answer to the false objections raised against the Messenger by his enemies—objections that the speculative theologians have fallen woefully short of refuting and have failed to answer satisfactorily.

Rather, Allah, glorified be He, has provided a satisfying and sufficient answer to them, leaving us with no need for a speculative theologian, a scholar of legal theory, or a speculative thinker. To Him belong all praise and gratitude; we cannot praise Him enough.

Section

Know that all creation is falq—something split forth. The word falq follows the pattern fa‘l with the meaning of maf‘ūl, the passive participle, just as qabd, salb, and qans mean something seized, plundered, and hunted, respectively. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is 6:96 “the One who splits open the dawn” and 6:95 “the One who splits grain and fruit stones.” He splits the earth to bring forth vegetation, the mountains to bring forth springs, the clouds to bring forth rain, and wombs to bring forth