The Human Quest for Light
It is in the nature of human beings to strive towards light. The quest for divine light is a timeless and universal pursuit, deeply ingrained in the human experience. The human mind cannot remain in darkness indefinitely; when exposed to prolonged darkness, it begins to fabricate illusions in order to escape its reality. Even in nature, this phenomenon is clearly manifest: whenever night falls, the light of day inevitably follows. No matter how dark a region may be—even where night lasts for months—light eventually appears.
Similarly, in the spiritual realm, humanity passes through periods of darkness. No matter how widespread sin, immorality, and evil become, God sends His light through His chosen messengers to dispel that darkness. Reflect upon the world today: despite the sun shining daily upon the earth, humanity remains engulfed in spiritual gloom.
Arabia Before Islam: Humanity in Moral Darkness
Such darkness had also enveloped the world fourteen hundred years ago in the barren valley of Arabia. Society had sunk into barbarism and moral decay. Tribal warfare, injustice, and cruelty were rampant. Women were denied dignity, limitless marriages were common, and even the abhorrent practice of burying infant girls alive was justified in the name of honour. The Holy Qur’an condemns this savagery:
And when the girl-child buried alive is questioned about for what crime was she killed? (81:9–10)
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa: The Divine Lamp
Only divine intervention could rescue humanity from such darkness. Thus, God sent the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as a mercy for all mankind. Through him, a world marred by ignorance and injustice was transformed into one guided by faith, compassion, and moral discipline. The Holy Qur’an declares:
“And as a Summoner unto Allah by His command, and as a Lamp that gives bright light.” (33:47)
Commenting on this verse, Hazrat Musleh-e-Mau’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) writes:
“In this verse the Holy Prophet has been likened to the sun, indicating that as the sun is the central point in the physical universe, so is the Holy Prophet the central point in the spiritual realm.” [Five Volume Commentary, vol. 4, p. 2580]
Describing the unparalleled spiritual station of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) writes:
“That high degree of light which was granted to man—that is to say, upon the perfect man—was not within the angels, the stars, the moon, or the sun; neither was it in the oceans and the rivers of the earth, not was it in rubies, emeralds, sapphires, diamonds, or pearls. In short, it was not in any earthly or heavenly object. It was only in man; that is, the perfect man, whose most complete, highest and loftiest, and most perfect example was our Lord and Master, the Chief of the Prophets, the Chief of all living ones, Muhammad, the Chosen One, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.” [The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam, p. 142, 2025 ed.]
A Complete Moral Transformation
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) transformed those once steeped in darkness into divinely guided men. His companions were moulded into paragons of faith, sacrifice, and moral excellence. Their unwavering devotion and tireless efforts carried the message of Islam across the world, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire believers to this day.
Reflection of the Perfect Light
Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun and illuminates the night, God sent the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) as a reflection of the spiritual sun—the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) beautifully said:
آج ان نوروں كا اك زور ہے اس عاجز مىں
دل كو ان نوروں كا ہر رنگ دلاىا ہم نے
Today those lights are surging in this humble one;
I have dyed my heart with every hue of those lights.
جب سے ىہ نور ملا نورِ پىمبر سے ہمىں
ذات سے حق كى وجود اپنا ملاىا ہم نے
Ever since I received this light from the light of the Prophet, / I have joined my being with the Being of the True One.
[The Mirror of the Excellences of Islam, p. 261, 2025 ed.]
The mission of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was to revive faith, reform the Muslim Ummah, and unite humanity under the banner of the One God. In an age when religion was attacked from every direction and spiritual apathy prevailed, a divinely appointed reformer was needed to defend Islam and demonstrate its living truth. He declared:
“Blessed are those who have recognised me. Of all the ways that lead to God I am the last, and of all His lights I am the last. Unfortunate is one who rejects me, for besides me there is nothing but darkness.” [Noah’s Ark, p. 97, 2018 ed.]
In an Urdu couplet, he announced:
مىں وہ پانى ہوں كہ آىا آسمان سے وقت پر
مىں وہ ہوں نورِ خدا جس سے ہوا دن آشكار
I am the Water from Heaven sent at its appointed time;
I am the Light of God through which the day is openly manifest.
[Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya – Part Five, p. 204, 2018 ed.]
The Spreading of Divine Light
God’s way has always been to choose humility over grandeur. He called Moses (peace be upon him) on a mountaintop, revealed Himself to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in a cave, and raised the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in the small village of Qadian—promising that this light would spread to the farthest corners of the world.
In this age of spiritual desolation, prayer remains the most powerful means of igniting hearts with divine light. Through prayer, individuals reconnect with God and help dispel the darkness that surrounds humanity.
Today, more than ever, the world stands in need of this light. Just as night inevitably gives way to dawn, the darkness of materialism, injustice, and moral decay will yield to the light brought by God’s chosen ones. It is our responsibility to embrace this light, to follow the guidance of the Holy Qur’an, and to become bearers of this divine flame—so that humanity may once again find its way back to its Creator.
