Wa Ashraqat al-Arḍ Bi-Nūr Rabbihā (Q 39: 69): A Critical Analysis on Sunni Qurʾān Commentaries

In various verses of the Qurʾān, including verse 69 of Sura Al-Zumar, light is mentioned: “And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord”. Although the apparent meaning of the word light is clear, a closer examination of the Quranic verses adds to its ambiguity. This study aims to clarify the meaning of this word in its Quranic usage in Surah Al-Zumar through an analytical-descriptive method, considering the views of Sunni commentators. Three well-known and four less-known views have been proposed by these commentators. The well-known views include: the manifestation of God for judging people with justice and truth, the illumination of the earth with a light other than that of the sun and moon, and the manifestation of the truth and the inner reality of deeds on the Day of Judgment. The less-known views include: the light of God's power, the light of the believers' hearts, the light of God's shin, and the illumination of the human soul by the light of God. This study analyzes and evaluates these views and explains the view that seems more consistent with the context of verse 69 of Surah Az-Zumar, the context of the preceding and following verses in Surah Al-Zumar, and the evidence found in other Quranic verses.