Abstract
This research presents a profound and multidimensional investigation of Du'a al-Nur (The Prayer of Light), approached through a holistic and interdisciplinary framework that integrates meticulous linguistic analysis, deep exploration of Islamic gnostic (Irfan) concepts with reference to authoritative sources, precise correlation with classical and quantum physics—including detailed scientific explanations—and a comparative study of sacred texts from other world religions based on primary sources. The findings demonstrate in detail that this seemingly brief supplication not only articulates the hierarchical levels of existence in Islamic gnosis but also astonishingly encompasses the most advanced concepts of modern physics. More than that, it reveals a deeper, universal pattern: that across time, culture, and discipline, humanity has intuited the cosmos not as a collection of separate parts, but as a unified, harmonious whole—a single, resonant system.
The word "universe" itself, derived from the Latin universum, means "one song" or "the whole turned into one"—a concept echoed in the sacred traditions of Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, where Light, Sound, and Unity are the fundamental principles of creation. This paper offers a rigorous, integrated model showing how Light functions as a robust bridge between empirical science and divine knowledge, revealing that the cosmos is not only governed by laws but sung into being—a single melody of existence. Furthermore, it incorporates empirical testimonies from Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and the Qur’anic declaration "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" (24:35) to affirm that the Light described in Du'a al-Nur is not symbolic, but a real, conscious, and creative reality.
Introduction
Du'a al-Nur stands as one of the shortest yet most profound Islamic supplications, encapsulating fundamental principles of ontology and epistemology within a remarkably concise expression. Despite its brevity, this prayer unveils deep truths about the structure of creation and the hierarchical unfolding of existence, from the Absolute to the manifest world. This comprehensive study employs a detailed analytical-descriptive methodology, drawing extensively on authoritative scientific, philosophical, and gnostic sources to conduct an exhaustive examination of all dimensions of this sacred text.
But this is not merely a study of a prayer. It is a journey into the heart of unity—the idea that all knowledge, all religions, and all of nature are expressions of a single, coherent reality. From the quantum vacuum to the soul of the mystic, from the Big Bang to the first divine command "Let there be Light," the universe speaks in a single language: the language of harmony, measure, and resonance.
And the word "universe" itself is a key to this mystery. Derived from the Latin universum, it literally means "the whole turned into one"—unus (one) + versus (turned). But more poetically, it implies "one song"—a single, unified melody in which every star, every atom, and every soul has its note. This is not a metaphor. It is an ancient intuition shared by nearly every wisdom tradition: that the cosmos is not a machine, but a living symphony.
In Vedic thought, the universe is Nada Brahman—Sound as Ultimate Reality. In Pythagorean philosophy, the "Music of the Spheres" describes the harmonic motion of celestial bodies. In Kabbalah, the ten Sefirot vibrate in a divine chord. In Islam, the Qur’an is called al-Qur’an—"The Recitation"—a sacred sound that structures existence. Du'a al-Nur is not outside this tradition. It is within it—a luminous verse in the cosmic song.
Full Text of the Prayer and Translation
Original Arabic Text:
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ النُّورِ، بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ نُورِ النُّورِ، بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ نُورٌ عَلىٰ نُورٍ، بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الَّذِى هُوَ مُدَبِّرُ الْأُمُورِ، بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الَّذِى خَلَقَ النُّورَ مِنَ النُّورِ.
الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِى خَلَقَ النُّورَ مِنَ النُّورِ، وَأَنْزَلَ النُّورَ عَلَى الطُّورِ، فِى كِتابٍ مَسْطُورٍ، فِى رَقٍّ مَنْشُورٍ، بِقَدَرٍ مَقْدُورٍ، عَلىٰ نَبِيٍّ مَحْبُورٍ.
الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِي هُوَ بِالْعِزِّ مَذْكُورٌ، وَبِالْفَخْرِ مَشْهُورٌ، وَعَلَى السَّرَّاءِ وَالضَّرَّاءِ مَشْكُورٌ.
وَصَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلىٰ سَيِّدِنا مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ الطَّاهِرِينَ.
English Translation:
"In the name of Allah, the Light; in the name of Allah, the Light of Light (the One whose essence is the source of all lights); in the name of Allah, Light upon Light (a Light that encompasses and transcends other lights); in the name of Allah, Who is the Ordainer of all affairs (Who governs and organizes the universe with perfect order); in the name of Allah, Who created Light from Light (Who brought forth created light from His own uncreated Light).
Praise belongs exclusively to Allah, Who created Light from Light (by manifesting the physical from the spiritual), and revealed Light upon Mount Tur (sent down the Light of guidance upon Moses at Mount Sinai), in a written Book (referring to the Preserved Tablet or the Book of Creation), on an open scroll (which may signify the pages of existence or the revealed scripture), in a precisely measured and predetermined amount (with exact calculation and divine wisdom), upon a noble and honored Prophet (Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets).
Praise belongs to Allah, Who is remembered through Majesty, renowned through Glory, and worthy of gratitude in both prosperity and adversity.
May the blessings and peace of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad and his purified and immaculate Household."
Deep Conceptual Analysis of Light in the Prayer
Why "Light"? The Universal Symbol of Unity
Light is not chosen arbitrarily in Du'a al-Nur. It is the universal symbol of unity, knowledge, and manifestation. In Islamic gnosis (Irfan), Light (Nur) is one of the divine names, representing the self-disclosure of God in the cosmos. This Light is absolute, uncreated, and the origin of all other lights. It symbolizes the progressive theophanies (tajalliyat) across the existential hierarchy, from the world of intellects (‘ālam al-‘uqūl) to the material world. Higher levels of existence are more luminous and transparent, reflecting the graded intensity of a single reality.
In philosophy, Light symbolizes true knowledge. In Suhrawardi’s Illuminationist tradition, Light is the medium of understanding. In Mulla Sadra’s Transcendent Theosophy, existence itself is a graded intensity of light, from the most intense (the Divine) to the most veiled (the material).
In modern physics, Light is the fastest phenomenon in the universe, the primary carrier of information, and the boundary between wave and particle. Its dual nature—wave and particle—mirrors the dual nature of reality: unity and multiplicity. And now, with the insight that the universe is "one song", we see that Light is not just a visual phenomenon, but a vibrational one—a frequency in the cosmic melody.
The Hierarchy of Light
The prayer outlines five distinct levels of Light, each representing a note in the symphony of existence:
- Allah al-Nur (Allah, the Light): The fundamental tone—the uncreated, absolute Light of the Divine Essence.
- Nur al-Nur (Light of Light): The first harmonic—the primordial Light, the Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya, the first creation.
- Nur ‘ala Nur (Light upon Light): The chord—multiple lights resonating together, like waves interfering or quantum states entangled.
- Nur al-Mudabbir (The Ordaining Light): The conductor—the principle of order and governance (the First Intellect).
- Nur al-Makhluq (Created Light): The visible notes—sunlight, guidance, photons—the audible expression of the melody.
- This is not just a hierarchy—it is a scale, a harmonic progression from the One to the many, all within a single, unified system.
- Scientific and Gnostic Resonance: Light, Waves, and Perpendicularity
One of the most profound insights is the interpretation of "Nur 'ala Nur" as possibly indicating perpendicularity—not just "upon," but orthogonal. This is not only linguistically plausible but scientifically profound.
In classical electromagnetism, light is a transverse wave: the electric field (E) and magnetic field (B) are perpendicular to each other and both perpendicular to the direction of propagation. This triply orthogonal structure is fundamental to how light carries energy through space. This can be seen as a physical embodiment of "Nur 'ala Nur"—two aspects of Light, interdependent, coexisting, and mutually sustaining, forming a unified wave.
Moreover, in quantum field theory, photons emerge as excitations of a single quantum field—a field that permeates all of space. This is the unified field—the one song from which all particles arise.
Comparative Analysis
The intuition of a unified, singing universe is not unique to Islam. It is a universal archetype:
Judaism: "Let there be Light" (Genesis 1:3)—the first divine utterance, a cosmic command that begins the song. In Kabbalah, the Ein Sof (Infinite Light) emanates into the Sefirot, a tenfold chord of divine attributes.
Christianity: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). The Logos (Word) is the creative principle—the Word that sings the world into being.
Hinduism: Brahman is described as Nada Brahman—Sound as Ultimate Reality. The universe is Aum, a single vibrational tone from which all multiplicity arises.
Buddhism: Enlightenment (Nirvana) is a state of radiant stillness, often depicted with a halo of light. The Dharma is the teaching that harmonizes the soul with the cosmos.
Ancient Greece: Pythagoras spoke of the "Music of the Spheres"—the idea that planetary motion produces a harmonic sound, inaudible to the physical ear but perceptible to the soul.
All these traditions agree: the universe is not random. It is ordered. It is meaningful. It is one. And the word "universe" confirms this: one song.
The Qur’anic Foundation
The Qur’anic declaration "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" (Surah An-Nur, 24:35) is not a mere metaphor. It is a metaphysical truth: that the ultimate reality of existence is Light—not physical light, but the luminous essence of Being itself. This Light is not confined to the visible spectrum; it is the source of all manifestation, the principle of intelligibility, and the ground of all existence. The famous "Verse of Light" that follows describes a niche, a lamp, a glass, and a blessed olive tree—a profound allegory of divine manifestation that mirrors the layered descent of Nur 'ala Nur in Du'a al-Nur.
This verse elevates Light from a symbol to a divine attribute of Being. It is not that God has light; He is Light. This ontological statement confirms that the Light described in Du'a al-Nur is not abstract, but the very reality of God.
Near-Death Experiences
Remarkably, thousands of documented Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) across cultures, ages, and religions report encountering a Brilliant, Loving, Conscious Light at the threshold of death. This Light is not passive; it is intelligent, creative, and often identified as God or the source of all creation. Individuals report:
- A tunnel of light leading to a realm of pure awareness.
- A Being of Light radiating unconditional love and infinite knowledge.
- A life review where every action is seen in the light of truth.
- A profound sense of unity, peace, and interconnectedness.
These experiences are consistent and cross-cultural, suggesting they point to a shared reality, not mere hallucination. They echo the Qur’anic vision: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth." This experiential testimony—from people of all faiths and none—suggests that the Light described in Du'a al-Nur is not symbolic, but a real, experiential reality that transcends religious boundaries and can be directly encountered in states of expanded consciousness.
Conclusion
This research reveals that Du'a al-Nur is far more than a prayer—it is a cosmological key, a short yet profound text that unlocks a unified vision of reality. It demonstrates that science and religion are not opposing forces but complementary pathways to the same truth, each offering unique insights into the nature of existence. Light, as articulated in this supplication, transcends its physical manifestation, symbolizing the interconnectedness of all creation—from the quantum field’s vibrations to the divine essence that sustains the cosmos.
Across cultures and epochs, ancient traditions have echoed this understanding, portraying the universe not as a chaotic assembly of parts but as a harmonious, resonant whole—a single melody. The very word "universe," derived from the Latin universum meaning "one song," reflects humanity’s enduring intuition of cosmic unity. The Qur’anic declaration "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" further elevates this concept, affirming Light as the fundamental reality of Being itself.
Remarkably, Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) provide empirical support for this vision, with countless individuals worldwide reporting encounters with a conscious, loving Light—a phenomenon that transcends cultural and religious boundaries. These testimonies suggest that the Light described in Du'a al-Nur is not merely metaphorical but a tangible, creative force.
Ultimately, this study affirms that the universe is not silent—it sings. Every atom, every star, and every soul contributes to this grand symphony, and Du'a al-Nur stands as one of its most luminous verses, illuminating the profound unity that underlies all existence.
Suggestions for Future Research
The profound insights uncovered in this study open several promising avenues for further exploration. First, mathematical modeling of cosmic harmony could employ harmonic analysis and group theory to quantify the vibrational patterns underlying existence, potentially revealing fundamental symmetries that govern both physical and metaphysical realities. Second, experimental studies could examine how the recitation of Du'a al-Nur influences quantum coherence in biological systems, potentially demonstrating measurable effects of sacred sound on living organisms at the subcellular level.
A comprehensive cross-cultural investigation could trace the concept of "the one song" through indigenous wisdom, ancient scriptures, and modern scientific thought, identifying universal patterns in humanity's perception of cosmic unity. To facilitate such interdisciplinary inquiry, international conferences could bring together physicists, mystics, musicians, and philosophers to develop a shared language for exploring these unitive principles.
Artistic interpretations may serve as powerful tools for communicating these abstract concepts, with composers and visual artists creating works inspired by the "Light upon Light" paradigm to make these ideas accessible to broader audiences. Finally, rigorous neuroscientific studies of Near-Death Experiences could employ advanced imaging technologies to analyze the neurophysiological correlates of encounters with the Light, while longitudinal studies might reveal its lasting impacts on consciousness and wellbeing.
These research initiatives could collectively bridge the gap between scientific and spiritual understandings of reality, offering new ways to comprehend the fundamental unity that Du'a al-Nur so elegantly expresses. Each approach, while distinct in methodology, contributes to a more complete picture of existence as an interconnected, harmonious whole.
The universe is one.
The song is one.
The Light is one.And we are all notes within it.