Ahl al-Bayt are light in essence

The Perfect Light of Ahl al-Bayt

Based on the following authentic narration reported on the authority of the Holy Prophet:

The first thing Allah created was my light.

And based on the fact that Ahl al-Bayt are the manifestation of this light, we should admit that Ahl al-Bayt are light in essence and this light is the light of Allah which cannot be put out with the puffing of the ignorant ones:

They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouth, but Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may averse. (61:8)

In the famous Ziy¡rah al-J¡mi`ah al-Kab¢rah, a well-documented form of ziy¡rah (statements addressed to the Holy Infallibles when their tombs are visited) composed by Imam al-H¡d¢ (a.s) and recited in the Ziy¡rah of all the infallibles, we read:

خَلَقَكُمُ اللهُ أنْوَاراً.

Allah created you in the form of light.[1]

Again in the same ziy¡rah, we read:

وَأنَّ أرْوَاحَكُمْ وَنُورَكُمْ وَطِينَتَكُمْ وَاحِدَةٌ، طَابَتْ وَطَهُرَتْ.

Your souls, light and forms are the same; pure and pious altogether.[2]

In the famous ziy¡rah W¡rith, we read:

أشْهَدُ أنَّكَ كُنْتَ نُوراً فِي الأصْلأبِ الشَّامِخَةِ وَالأرْحَامِ الْمُطَهَّرَةِ.

I testify that you were light in the lofty loins and pure wombs.[3]

In the Books of Maqtal (story of Imam al-°usayn’s martyrdom), we read:

While Imam `Al¢ ibn al-°usayn (al-Sajj¡d) was putting his father’s body with the head cut off in the grave, he said,

أبَتَاهُ، أمَّا الدُّنْيَا فَبَعْدَكَ مُظْلِمَةٌ وَأمَّا الآخِرَةُ فَبِنُورِ وَجْهِكَ مُشْرِقَةٌ.

“O father, the world is in dark after you and the Hereafter is illuminated with your light.”[4]