THE LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS

VERSES NO. 63 - 64

      Once again through these two verses, the Holy Quran, takes the hands of the unbelievers, to lead them to their inner self and conscience, wherein the light of God, more or less, shines. This is to show them the beauties and favours of God in that mysterious point of secrecy and concealment. The Arabic `ZOLOMطT' which means darknesses, may either be physical or spiritual.

      The physical darkness is the absolute or partial absence of light, which is usually fearful and imaginative! This is because the wild animals and the thieves and criminals make use of darkness for their evil deeds. Therefore the darkness naturally creates dreadful fancies, and fearful imagination in common people.

      Darkness is also a manifestation of non-existence of which man usually escapes.

      Think of a voyage in the sea, through such a physical darkness, endangered by storms, furious waves, and falling into a whirpool. Or if you want, think of a journey in the desert hearing the noises of wild beasts, and being smitten by showers of rainfall in a dangerous hurricane with lightning and thunder bolt.

      Or think you of flying on an airplane calm and quiet, thinking of reaching a destination, when the pilot anxiously announces:

      Passengers! Fasten your belts, the engines are out of work, and we are to land somehow, and some where!''

      In such condition man will forget everything except his very self, and that mysterious light, even though very dim, which flickers in the depths of his inner self and soul. Who can save us, except our Merciful and compassionate Lord God?!

      Such a man, afflicted so, in his emergency state, may humbly and earnestly pray for God's help and rescue - pray secretly and in his heart, or openly and with lamentation. He may reach to a spiritual condition with utmost sincerity of heart and purity of faith, and plead for rescue, and eventually he may obtain a thankful heart for the help which he receives:

      ``Allah delivers you from it and from every distress, and yet you associate partners with him!''