What is the detailed and precise explanation of Allah Almighty's saying: "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His Light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is in a glass, the glass as if it were a brilliant star, lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost illuminate even if untouched by fire. Light upon Light. Allah guides to His Light whom He wills. And Allah presents examples for the people, and Allah is Knowing of all things," which clarifies its consistency with the interpretation of light as Allah's knowledge, and from which one can benefit in belief and action?

The interpretation of the noble verse, "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth," clarifies that Allah Almighty is Light by His Essence, and He illuminated the heavens and the earth and guided their inhabitants, so by His light they were guided. This light is a description of His self-subsisting attribute.

The light of Allah Almighty is attributed to Him as one of His attributes (like the light of His Face) or as an action of His (His illumination of the earth and His guidance of people). It was reported from Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, that the light of the heavens and the earth is from the light of Allah's Face.

The parable in the verse, "Like a niche within which is a lamp...," represents the light of faith in the heart of the believer. It is a light from Allah Almighty that He bestows upon His servant, and the believer is the recipient of this light.

This light is likened to a composite: the niche is the believer's chest, the glass is his heart (due to its delicacy, purity, and firmness), the lamp is the light of faith, and the blessed tree is revelation and the source of the light. Thus, the believing servant possesses the light of innate disposition and the light of revelation, thereby increasing light upon light. This is contrary to the state of one whose heart is buffeted by doubts and darkness.