What is the meaning of "لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ" in surah Noor verse 35?
The phrase "لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ" translates to neither from the East nor from the West
in English. This phrase appears in Surah An-Nur 24:35, which is known for its beautiful verse describing Allah as the Light of the heavens and the earth.
In this context, the phrase emphasizes that the source of this divine light is not limited to any specific geographical direction. It signifies the universality and omnipresence of God's light, indicating that it transcends physical locations and is not confined to any particular place. This aligns with the broader theme of the verse, which illustrates the nature of Allah's light as illuminating and guiding, encompassing all of creation.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that this serves to highlight Allah's infinite nature and the way His guidance is available to all, regardless of where they are located. Similarly, Majma al-Bayan notes that the phrase underscores God's sovereignty over all realms and emphasizes that His light can reach anyone, anywhere, and at any time. Thus, the phrase signifies the boundless and all-encompassing aspect of divine guidance and light.
Sources
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24:35 · An-Noor
24:35 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
۞ ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشْكَوٰةٍۢ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ ٱلْمِصْبَاحُ فِى زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌۭ دُرِّىٌّۭ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍۢ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍۢ زَيْتُونَةٍۢ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍۢ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍۢ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِىٓءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌۭ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍۢ ۗ يَهْدِى ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَٰلَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ
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.
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