أَوْ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ فِى بَحْرٍ لُّجِّىٍّ يَغْشَىٰهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتٌۢ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَآ أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُۥ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَىٰهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُۥ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن نُّورٍ 40
Translations
Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allāh has not granted light - for him there is no light.
Transliteration
Aw ka-zulumatin fi bahrin lujjiyin yaghs-ahu mawjun min fawqihi mawjun min fawqihi sahab. Zulumatin ba'duha fawqa ba'd. Idha akhreja yadahu lam yakad yuraha. Wa man lam yaj'al-Allah lahu nuran fa-ma lahu min nur.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah uses vivid metaphorical imagery to describe the state of those who reject Allah's guidance, comparing their spiritual darkness to multiple layers of physical darkness in a deep ocean covered by waves and clouds. The final clause establishes that whoever Allah does not grant light (guidance and faith) has no source of light whatsoever, emphasizing the absolute necessity of divine grace for spiritual illumination. Classical scholars like Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Kathir interpret this as depicting the hopelessness of those who turn away from Allah's revelation, while the preceding ayat in context discuss the Light of Allah as guidance to the righteous.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah An-Nur (The Light), a Medinan surah that extensively discusses the metaphor of light and darkness in relation to faith and disbelief. It comes after the famous Ayat al-Nur (the Light Verse, 24:35) which describes the light of Allah. The ayah addresses the spiritual condition of those who refuse to accept guidance, contrasting sharply with the believers mentioned in preceding verses.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth' (Sahih Bukhari 1/99). This hadith parallels the surah's theme of light and guidance. Additionally, 'Whoever Allah guides, none can lead astray; and whoever He leads astray, none can guide' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2141) directly reflects this ayah's message.
Themes
Key Lesson
True guidance and illumination come exclusively from Allah; no amount of human effort or intellect alone can substitute for divine light. Believers should recognize that faith is a precious gift from Allah and seek His light through obedience to His guidance, while remaining humble in understanding that spiritual blindness befalls only those from whom Allah withholds this mercy.