A n Exegetical Analysis of the Darkness of Mu’min and the Light of Kafir in Surah al-Baqarah

Abstract

Received: 25/06/2019 | Accepted: 30/08/2019 The 257th verse of Surah al-Baqarah is one of controversial verses in the Quran which mentions “bringing Mu’minin (believers) out from darkness into the light” and “taking Kafirin (disbelievers) out of the light into darkness”. The main objective of this study is to explain what it means by darkness of Mu’min and the light of Kafir. Most of commentators have explained the extensions of darkness and light so in this research, their ideas are collected and critically analyzed in six chapters. “Bringing the believers out from darkness into the light” by God confirms an important divine tradition, that is to say guidance and blessing for the believers through their way to salvation. “Darkness of a believer” connotes veils which are created between human and God as a result of ignorance and sin. Considering multiple stages for darkness and light, there are also some special veils for the prophets and saints relevant to their own states. “Taking the disbelievers out of the light into darkness” by the demon connotes the deviation by the Devil, and in this regard, the light of Kafir refers to the innate disposition to Towhid (monotheism) which exists in the nature of all human beings.

Keywords

• surah al-baqarah: 255
• darkness
• light
• stages of faith
• fitrah (innate disposition)
• mu’min (believer)
• kafir (non-believer)