Verses of Light and Darkness in the Holy Quran: A Semantic Study

Abstract

This study is an attempt to elucidate the semantic significance of the verses of Light (al-Noor) and Darkness (al-Zulmah) in the Holy Quran. It explores their linguistic meanings and differentiates them from related items within the same semantic field. Exploiting the Quranic context, the research conducts a rigorous, step-by-step contextual and analytical exploration of these concepts, concluding with a concise summary of the results. The research highlights how the Holy Text puts Light and Darkness in continuous antithesis to prove that truth and falsehood are inherently irreconcilable. Moreover, it investigates why Light is consistently referred to by the singular—conveying a unified source of truth—whereas Darkness appears in the plural (al-Zulūmāt), reflecting the fragmented and multifaceted routes of falsehood. Ultimately, the holy messages were revealed to guide humanity out of the depths of darkness into light—transforming life from disbelief and misguidance to faith and guidance. Thus, the Quranic meaning transcends physical sensory perception to express profound spiritual and intellectual dimensions in human existence