Tafsir of An-Nur 24:34

Surah An-Nur (The Light): Verse 34

And indeed, We have sent down to you verses that make things clear...

Know that when the Almighty mentioned these rulings in this Surah, He described the Qur'an with three attributes:

1. {And indeed, We have sent down to you verses that make things clear (ayātin mubayyināt)}: Meaning, detailed verses. Ibn 'Amir, Hamzah, Al-Kisā'ī, and Hafs from 'Asim recited it with a kasra on the yā' (mubayyināt), meaning they clarify things for the people, as in the verse: {in a clear Arabic tongue} (Ash-Shu'arā': 19). Alternatively, it means they are from bayān (clarification), similar to the proverb: "The morning has become clear to the one with two eyes."

2. {And a likeness from those who passed away before you}: This has two interpretations:
   • The first is that the Almighty intends by the "likeness" (mathalan) what was mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel regarding the establishment of legal penalties (hudūd). Thus, He revealed a likeness of that in the Qur'an. This is the view of Al-Dahhak.
   • The second is that {and a likeness} means a resemblance to their condition (the previous nations) in rejecting the Messengers. That is, He clarified to you what We inflicted upon them as punishment for their rebellion against the Almighty, making that an example (mathalan) for you, so that you know if you share in their disobedience, you will share in deserving the punishment. This is the view of Muqātil.

3. {And an admonition for the pious (li-l-muttaqīn)}: This refers to the warning and caution against committing sins. There is no doubt that it is an admonition for everyone, but the Almighty specified the pious for the reason mentioned previously regarding the verse: {a guidance for the pious} (Al-Baqarah: 2). Here ends the discussion concerning the rulings.

The Discourse on Divine Attributes (Theology)

Know that the Almighty mentioned two parables (or examples):

1. The first is to clarify that the proofs for faith are at the utmost degree of clarity.
2. The second is to clarify that the religions of the disbelievers are at the extreme limit of darkness and obscurity.

As for the first parable, it is His saying, the Exalted and Sublime:

{Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a niche (mishkāh), in which is a lamp (miṣbāḥ). The lamp is in a glass (zujājah). The glass is as if it were a shining star, kindled from a blessed tree, an olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost give light even if no fire touched it—Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah strikes parables for mankind, and Allah is Knower of all things.} (An-Nur: 35)