The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 77
Revelation, Inspiration, Vision and Dream 72 77 perceives the light of the sun, but he who has not the light of eyes is deprived of the light of the sun also. He who has a small share of natural light receives a little other light and he who has much natural light receives more other light. . The Prophets are those high personages who, despite the vast diversity in human nature, are so blessed with inner light that they become light personified. That is why the. Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be on him) has been named light and a light-giving sun, as is said: 15 قَدْ جَاءَ كُم مِّنَ اللهِ نُورُو كتب مبين : (Part Number 6) و داعيا إلى اللهِ بِاِذْنِهِ وَسِرَاجًا منيرا ، 16 (Part Number 22). This is the reason that the light of revelation, for which the perfection and grandeur of natural light is a condition, was bestowed only upon the Prophets and has been confined to them. This refutes those people who, though they admit the diversity of ranks, nevertheless imagine out of their ignorance that the light that is bestowed upon those who possess perfect natures can also be bestowed upon defective individuals. They should reflect honestly and should realize their mistake. They see clearly that. God's law of nature does not support their false notion and yet out of bigotry and enmity they adhere to their false notion. In the same way, the Christians do not consider it a condition for the grace of light to descend 15 'There has come to you indeed from Allāh a Light and a clear. Book. ' Al-Ma'idah, 5:16 [Publisher] 16 ". . . and as a Summoner unto Allāh by His command, and as a. Lamp that gives bright light. '-Al-Aḥzāb, 33:47 [Publisher]