Divine light is a gift, not something earned by our deeds alone. It enters the heart through sincerity, humility, and presence with Allah.
One of the aphorisms of Ibn ʿAṭā’illah says, “Lights are the mounts of hearts and secrets.” That this light allows the heart to perceive truth clearly, to be protected from deception, and to be drawn toward Allah in love and longing. But for this light to settle, the heart must be emptied of pride, heedlessness, and sin.
This means turning inward—through dhikr, repentance, and trust in Allah—until the heart becomes a mirror, polished to reflect divine realities.
We do not create the light; we make space for it. And when Allah places His light in a heart, it becomes illuminated in all directions—just as the Prophet ﷺ asked in his duʿā’ al-nūr, to be surrounded by light from every side, and to have light within.
