Sam Gerrans - The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp — the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a shining star — lit from a blessed tree, an olive neither of East nor West; its oil would nigh illuminate, though no fire touched it: — light upon light! — God guides to His light whom He wills! And God strikes similitudes for men; and God knows all things.

اَللّٰهُ نُورُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِۜ مَثَلُ نُورِه۪ كَمِشْكٰوةٍ ف۪يهَا مِصْبَاحٌۜ اَلْمِصْبَاحُ ف۪ي زُجَاجَةٍۜ اَلزُّجَاجَةُ كَاَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍۙ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُض۪ٓيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌۜ نُورٌ عَلٰى نُورٍۜ يَهْدِي اللّٰهُ لِنُورِه۪ مَنْ يَشَٓاءُۜ وَيَضْرِبُ اللّٰهُ الْاَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِۜ وَاللّٰهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَل۪يمٌۙ
Allahu nooru assamawatiwal-ardi mathalu noorihi kamishkatin feehamisbahun almisbahu fee zujajatinazzujajatu kaannaha kawkabun durriyyunyooqadu min shajaratin mubarakatin zaytoonatin lasharqiyyatin wala gharbiyyatin yakadu zaytuhayudee-o walaw lam tamsas-hu narun noorun AAalanoorin yahdee Allahu linoorihi man yashao wayadribuAllahu al-amthala linnasi wallahubikulli shay-in AAaleem
#wordmeaningroot
1al-lahuAllah
2nūru(is the) Lightنور
3l-samāwāti(of) the heavensسمو
4wal-arḍiand the earthارض
5mathalu(The) exampleمثل
6nūrihi(of) His Lightنور
7kamish'katin(is) like a nicheشكو
8fīhāin it
9miṣ'bāḥun(is) a lampصبح
10l-miṣ'bāḥuthe lampصبح
11(is) in
12zujājatina glassزجج
13l-zujājatuthe glassزجج
14ka-annahāas if it were
15kawkabuna starكوكب
16durriyyunbrilliantدرر
17yūqadu(which) is litوقد
18minfrom
19shajaratina treeشجر
20mubārakatinblessed برك
21zaytūnatinan oliveزيت
22not
23sharqiyyatin(of the) eastشرق
24walāand not
25gharbiyyatin(of the) westغرب
26yakāduwould almostكود
27zaytuhāits oilزيت
28yuḍīuglowضوا
29walaweven if
30lamnot
31tamsashutouched itمسس
32nārunfireنور
33nūrunLightنور
34ʿalāupon
35nūrinLightنور
36yahdīAllah guidesهدي
37l-lahuAllah guides
38linūrihito His Lightنور
39manwhom
40yashāuHe willsشيا
41wayaḍribuAnd Allah sets forthضرب
42l-lahuAnd Allah sets forth
43l-amthālathe examplesمثل
44lilnnāsifor the mankindنوس
45wal-lahuAnd Allah
46bikulliof everyكلل
47shayinthingشيا
48ʿalīmun(is) All-Knowerعلم
  • Aisha Bewley

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The metaphor of His Light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, the glass like a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east nor of the west, its oil all but giving off light even if no fire touches it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whoever He wills and Allah makes metaphors for mankind and Allah has knowledge of all things.

  • Progressive Muslims

    God is the Light of the heavens and the Earth. The example of His light is like a concave mirror within a lamp, the lamp is within a glass, the glass is like a radiant planet, which is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west, its oil nearly gives off light even if not touched by fire. Light upon light, God guides to His light whom He pleases. And God sets forth parables for mankind, and God is aware of all things.

  • Shabbir Ahmed

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. (And the Qur'an is the Light of Allah (5:15), (42:52)). The example of His Light (the Qur'an) is that of a lamp that is placed inside a niche enclosed in glass that shines like a radiant star. This lamp is kindled from a blessed tree - olive - neither of the East nor of the West. Its Light issues forth in all directions. The oil glows by itself even though no fire has touched it. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light anyone who seeks guidance. And Allah sets forth allegories for mankind. And Allah does know all things (and how to make you understand that light needs no aid to show itself (20:51), (41:42)).

  • Sam Gerrans The Qur'an: A Complete Revelation

    God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The likeness of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp — the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a shining star — lit from a blessed tree, an olive neither of East nor West; its oil would nigh illuminate, though no fire touched it: — light upon light! — God guides to His light whom He wills! And God strikes similitudes for men; and God knows all things.

  • The Monotheist Group The Quran: A Monotheist Translation

    God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which there is a lamp, the lamp is encased in a glass, the glass is like a radiant planet, which is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west, its oil nearly gives off light even if not touched by fire. Light upon light, God guides to His light whom He pleases. And God sets forth examples for the people, and God is aware of all things.

  • Edip-Layth Quran: A Reformist Translation

    God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a concave mirror within a lamp, the lamp is within a glass, the glass is like a radiant planet, which is lit from a blessed olive tree that is neither of the east nor of the west, its oil nearly radiates light even if not touched by fire. Light upon light. God guides to His light those whom He pleases. God sets forth parables for mankind; God is aware of all things.

  • Rashad Khalifa The Final Testament

    GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree, that is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whoever wills (to be guided). GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.

  • Mohamed Ahmed - Samira

    God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The semblance of His light is that of a niche in which is a lamp, the flame within a glass, the glass a glittering star as it were, lit with the oil of a blessed tree, the olive, neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil appears to light up even though fire touches it not, -- light upon light. God guides to His light whom He will. So does God advance precepts of wisdom for men, for God has knowledge of everything.

  • Sahih International (Umm Muhammad, Mary Kennedy, Amatullah Bantley)

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly 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. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things.

  • Muhammad Asad

    God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is, as it were, that of a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is in glass, the glass like a radiant star: lit from a blessed tree - an olive-tree that is neither of the east nor of the west the oil whereof would well-nigh give light even though fire had not touched it: light upon light! God guides unto His light him that wills ; and God propounds parables unto men, since God has full knowledge of all things.

  • Marmaduke Pickthall

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things.

  • Abul A'la Maududi Tafhim commentary

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His Light (in the Universe) may be likened to a niche wherein is a lamp, and the lamp is in the crystal which shines in star-like brilliance. It is lit from (the oil) of a blessed olive tree that is neither eastern nor western. Its oil well nigh glows forth (of itself) though no fire touched it: Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. Allah sets forth parables to make people understand. Allah knows everything.

  • Abdel Khalek Himmat Al- Muntakhab

    Allah is the Fountain-Head of physical and spiritual light illuminating the heavens and the earth. His light is beyond all comparison, (to be perceived by the human mind), it may be likened to the radiance emitting from a lustrous recess where a lamp stands enclosed in a glass tube or encased in glass featuring extraordinary brilliance as if it were an extra ordinary bright star lit by spiritual invisible combustion from a blessed tree, an olive tree (an ancient emblem of peace) standing in the open, never lost to view. It is not confined to the east nor to the west. Its oil almost emits light although not touched by a flame. Majestic light superimposed upon splendorous light attendant upon a manifestation of Allah Who attracts to His spiritual light whom He will, and Allah discourses to people parables by which moral and spiritual relations are typically set forth, and He is 'Alimun of all things.

  • Bijan Moeinian

    God is the light of the heavens and the earth. Imagine a concave mirror behind a lamp which is placed inside a glass container. Imagine this container being like a bright, pearl-like star. Imagine the lamp being fueled by a blessed oil-producing tree, that you cannot find neither in the east nor in the west. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light is the God’s light with which He guides whoever He wills. God thus explains (difficult to understand matters) so that mankind have some idea. Know that God knows everything.

  • Al-Hilali & Khan

    Allâh is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as (if there were) a niche and within it a lamp: the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a brilliant star, lit from a blessed tree, an olive, neither of the east (i.e. neither it gets sun-rays only in the morning) nor of the west (i.e. nor it gets sun-rays only in the afternoon, but it is exposed to the sun all day long), whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself), though no fire touched it. Light upon Light! Allâh guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allâh sets forth parables for mankind, and Allâh is All-Knower of everything.

  • Abdullah Yusuf Ali

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.

  • Mustafa Khattab The Clear Quran

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. His light is like a niche in which there is a lamp, the lamp is in a crystal, the crystal is like a shining star, lit from ˹the oil of˺ a blessed olive tree, ˹located˺ neither to the east nor the west, whose oil would almost glow, even without being touched by fire. Light upon light! Allah guides whoever He wills to His light. And Allah sets forth parables for humanity. For Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things.

  • Taqi Usmani

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is that of a niche, in which there is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass - the glass looks like a brilliant star - it is lit by (the oil of) a blessed tree, the olive, which is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is about to emit light even though the fire has not touched it - (it is) light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomsoever He wills; Allah describes examples for the people, and Allah knows everything well.

  • Abdul Haleem

    God is the Light of the heavens and earth. His Light is like this: there is a niche, and in it a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, a glass like a glittering star, fuelled from a blessed olive tree from neither east nor west, whose oil almost gives light even when no fire touches it- light upon light- God guides whoever He will to his Light; God draws such comparisons for people; God has full knowledge of everything-

  • Arthur John Arberry

    God is the Light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His Light is as a niche wherein is a lamp (the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering star) kindled from a Blessed Tree, an olive that is neither of the East nor of the West whose oil wellnigh would shine, even if no fire touched it; Light upon Light; (God guides to His Light whom He will. ) (And God strikes similitudes for men, and God has knowledge of everything.)

  • E. Henry Palmer

    God is the light of the heavens and the earth; His light is as a niche in which is a lamp, and the lamp is in a glass, the glass is as though it were a glittering star; it is lit from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east nor of the west, the oil of which would well-nigh give light though no fire touched it,- light upon light!- God guides to His light whom He pleases; and God strikes out parables for men, and God all things doth know.

  • Hamid S. Aziz

    Now have We sent down to you clear revelations, and the example of those who have passed away before you, and as an admonition to those who fear (avoid) evil.

  • Mahmoud Ghali

    Allah is The Light of the heavens and the earth; the similitude of His Light is as a niche wherein is a lamp, the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering planet-kindled from a Blessed Tree, an olive that is neither eastern nor western, whose oil would almost illuminate, even if no fire touched it, Light upon Light; Allah guides to His Light whomever He decides, and Allah strikes similitudes for mankind, and Allah is Ever-Knowing of everything.

  • George Sale

    God is the light of heaven and earth: The similitude of his light is as a niche in a wall, wherein a lamp is placed, and the lamp inclosed in a case of glass; the glass appears as it were a shining star. It is lighted with the oil of a blessed tree, an olive neither of the east, nor of the west: It wanteth little but that the oil thereof would give light, although no fire touched it. This is light added unto light: God will direct unto his light whom He pleaseth. God propoundeth parables unto men; for God knoweth all things.

  • Syed Vickar Ahamed

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as though there is a Niche (opening) and within it is a Lamp: The Lamp is enclosed in glass: The glass as if it was (itself) a bright star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the East nor of the West, whose Oil is almost (by itself) bright, even though fire never touched it: Light upon Light! Allah guides whomever He wills to His Light: And Allah sets forth parables for mankind: And Allah knows all things.

  • Amatul Rahman Omar

    Allâh is the Extensive Light of the heavens and the earth. His light can be compared to a (lustrous) pillar on which a lamp is put. The lamp is inside a crystal globe. The globe of glass is as if it were a glittering star. It (- the lamp) is lit by (the oil of) a blessed olive tree which belongs neither to the east nor to the west (rather welds the whole world in its fold). Its oil is likely to glow forth of itself even if no fire touch it. This (lamp) is a combination of many lights over and over. Allâh guides towards His light whoever desires (to be enlightened). And Allâh sets forth excellent parables for the people, and Allâh alone has full knowledge of every thing.

  • Ali Quli Qarai

    Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is a niche wherein is a lamp —the lamp is in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering star— lit from a blessed olive tree, neither eastern nor western, whose oil almost lights up, though fire should not touch it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His Light whomever He wishes. Allah draws parables for mankind, and Allah has knowledge of all things.