ABSTRACT
In al-Dabbagh's view, there is a connection between the understanding of a part of the explanation of the reality of love, as stated above, and the secret of the meaning of the light verse (Qur'an 24.35). This verse serves many SUfis to
elucidate their mystical notions.53 It reads: 'God is the Light of the heavens and the earth; the likeness of His light is as niche wherein is a lamp (the lamp in a glass, the glass as it were a glittering star) kindled from a Blessed Tree, an olive that is neither of the East nor of the West whose oil well nigh would shine, even if no fire touched it; Light upon Light; (God guides to His Light whom He will.) (And God strikes similitudes for men, and God has knowledge of everything.).'54 The verse is explained in accordance with the idea expressed above. God is the light of the heavens and the earth. He has neither likeness nor equal, for all things derive from Him. The rational essences, that is, the angels which are near God, are symbolized by the lamp, for the lamp illuminates and is illuminated (munira mustanira), the human knowing soul by the glass, because of its limpidity and reception of light from others, and the human body by the niche, for light is reflected in it. The oil symbolizes love, for through the oil all lamps are kindled. The oil is extracted from the Blessed Tree which is the symbol of knowledge. Just as this tree is neither of the east nor of the west, meaning without a specific direction, so the object of knowledge has no specific direction. The author here alludes to God who cannot be said to be in a specific direction, for He is not a body.55 The oil which is the best fruit of this tree almost illuminates, because of its great purity, even if no fire touches it, that is, it illuminates even if it does not extract light from another. If the holy light shines on the oil, it will be light on light.56 AI-Dabbagh reiterates the notion that love derives from knowledge. Love can be achieved through man's efforts, that is, his knowledge, and by the illumination of God's light on him. Since love characterizes the rational essences, inanimate things and even animate things whose light is not essential cannot be described as lovers.
