Recognition of Imam Part II - Light upon Light

Light upon Light

If we do not believe that the light of the Imam has continued to be in the attire of humanity from eternity (azal) till today, then "light upon light" makes no sense. For, in "light upon light", there is a concept which implies that there was already a light, after which another light came into existence and they both together, become one light. This is a fact. Thus it is evident that the succession or continuation of one Imam after another has always been there. This is such a comprehensive reality that it contains all other realities.

Thus the concept of "light upon light" shows that apparently, there can be more than one light at one time, but their truth and reality is always one and the same, just as in the case of material light, besides the sun, the moon and the stars are also lights, but at the place of oneness, i.e., the sun, all of them are one and their ultimate purpose is also one.

Further, another vivid example of the uniformity and unity of light is that if we light some bulbs of different colours in a house, their light and colour become one. On the one hand, this is an example of the oneness of the Divine light and on the other, an example of the unity of the souls of mu'mins.

Among the wisdoms of "light upon light", another wisdom is that, first, the blessed and holy body of the Imam is created, which is the light of the external and physical guidance. The Imam's body is light in the sense that the light of external and basic guidance is due to his blessed body; then upon the light of the body there is the light of his speaking soul and upon this is the light of the Universal Soul, and upon it is the light of the Universal Intellect. This is the meaning of "light upon light" [from another aspect].

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