وَلَا ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتُ وَلَا ٱلنُّورُ 20
Translations
Nor are the darknesses and the light,
Transliteration
Wa la az-zulumatu wa la an-nur
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of a comparison illustrating that the blind and the seeing are not equal, nor are darkness and light equal. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi explain this as a metaphorical parable (mathal) where darkness represents ignorance, disbelief, and misguidance, while light represents knowledge, faith, and guidance. The ayah emphasizes the fundamental incomparability between these opposites, just as those who follow the path of Allah cannot be equated with those who reject Him.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Fatir (Chapter 35), a Meccan surah that addresses the themes of creation, divine power, and the consequences of belief and disbelief. The ayah is part of a broader argument (ayat 19-26) establishing that believers and disbelievers, guided and misguided, are not and cannot be equal in any meaningful sense.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly quotes this specific ayah, Sahih Muslim records that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth' - connecting the light/guidance metaphor to divine revelation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that the spiritual states of believers and disbelievers are fundamentally incomparable - just as light and darkness cannot coexist in the same space. Modern readers should reflect on how embracing divine guidance transforms the soul, and recognize that genuine faith fundamentally distinguishes one's path and understanding of reality.