Sūrah An-Nūr The Light
النور
64 verses, Madanī. Revealed in the context of the slander against ʿĀʾishah ؓ (the Ifk incident). Contains: the ḥadd for zinā and qadhf, the Verse of Light (24:35), the exoneration of ʿĀʾishah ؓ, the rules of seeking permission to enter homes, and the laws of modesty. Ibn Kathīr's commentary on the Verse of Light is among his most celebrated passages.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
The Verse of Light (24:35): "Allah is the Light of the heavens and earth the example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp within glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light." Ibn Kathīr presents multiple interpretations the niche is the chest of the believer, the lamp is the Qurʾān, the glass is the heart, and light upon light is the light of the heart meeting the light of revelation.
Exoneration of ʿĀʾishah ؓ (24:11–26): "Indeed those who brought the slander are a group among you. Do not consider it bad for you rather it is good for you." Ibn Kathīr: Allah Himself testified to ʿĀʾishah's ؓ purity from above the seven heavens through the Qurʾān recited until the Day of Judgement.
- Ḥadd of zinā (24:2): One hundred lashes for the unmarried. Ibn Kathīr: the ḥadd for the married (rajm stoning) is established by mutawātir Sunnah not mentioned explicitly in the Qurʾān, but confirmed by the Prophet's ﷺ consistent practice.
- Four witnesses required (24:4): Those who accuse chaste women without four witnesses give them eighty lashes. Ibn Kathīr: the four-witness requirement for zinā makes the ḥadd virtually impossible to apply in practice its primary function is deterrence, not execution.
- Seeking permission to enter homes (24:27–29): Do not enter houses not your own without permission and greeting. If told to go back go back. It is purer for you. Ibn Kathīr: three times you may seek permission if not answered, leave. This is the Sunnah of entering homes.
- Lowering the gaze (24:30–31): Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts and tell the believing women likewise. These two verses together establish Islamic modesty as a mutual obligation. Ibn Kathīr: lowering the gaze is the first protection.
- Light upon light (24:35): Ibn Kathīr notes that Ubayy ibn Kaʿb ؓ interpreted: this is the example of the believer. In whatever state he is, he is in goodness in life and in death. The light grows with obedience and dims with disobedience.