a confirmation of it. For luminous things are of two kinds: some are luminous in themselves, like a glowing ember, but are not called light; others are luminous and illuminate other things, and these are light, like the sun, the moon, and fire. Nothing that exists illuminates other things without itself being light. Thus Ibn Mas‘ūd’s reading, “Illuminator,” confirms the meaning of His being Light. This is comparable to His addressing others and teaching them, for these presuppose that He Himself speaks and knows. This is supported by Ibn Mas‘ūd’s statement: “With your Lord there is neither night nor day; the light of the heavens comes from the light of His Face.”

As for the report that Ubayy ibn Ka‘b said “Adorner,” this has no basis, nor has it been attributed to a source that would warrant its acceptance. It is more likely a fabrication falsely attributed to Ubayy, for Ubayy ibn Ka‘b’s explanation of this verse is well known through its chain of transmission. It was narrated by