At-Taghaabun (Mutual Disillusion)

8. Therefore, believe in Allah and His Messenger and in the Light which We have sent down. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

The word Light (nur) in this blessed Verse connotes the Holy Qur’an as it is reflected in the opening of Chapter 14 (Surah Ibrahim):

“We have sent down a Book unto you such that you may lead mankind out of the shadows of polytheism, ignorance, and discord into the Light of monotheism, knowledge, and unity.”

The preceding blessed Verses treated of disbelief in God Almighty, His Messengers, and Resurrection leading peoples of the aforetime to torments, though the blessed verse in question is warning people against treading the path of the ancient people who tasted dire fates, but they are urged to believe in God Almighty and His Messengers.

Traditions reflect that the Light mentioned herein connotes the Infallible Imams (as), since they are the embodiments of the Holy Qur’an. Imam Baqir (as) is reported as saying that they are those who shed light on the believers’ hearts.¹ Belief is valuable when it encompasses belief in God Almighty, His Messengers, and the Scripture and it is accompanied by action.