‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) invites his followers to live a life that brings glory to Allah in this passage from the Holy Injil (al-kitab.org) beginning in Matthew 5:14 where he compares the way we live to light.

Matthew 5:14-16

¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Study the Story

Do you have a friend with you now?  If so, then tell each other this message in your own words and help each other remember the complete teaching.  If you are alone, then please take a moment to retell the message to yourself in your own words.  Also, think of a friend you can share this teaching with later on.

As you study this message, what does it teach you about ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh)?  (Think about this before reading more.)

Key Points

Like salt of the earth, the exact meaning of light of the world is something scholars debate. Clearly, it is something positive. ‘Isa (pbuh) teaches that it cannot be hidden and that it gives light (blessings) to others. Notice that the light is not our good works. Instead, it enables others to see our good works in a way that brings glory to Allah. In fact, ‘Isa (pbuh) said that his followers are the light, not their actions.

How can this be? Could you and I be the light of Allah in this dark and rebellious world? When we, ourselves, have done so much wrong, how could we be light? How is it that the followers of ‘Isa (pbuh) could be light? Consider what the Holy Injil says about ‘Isa al Masih (pbuh) in this passage (John 1:4-5):

John 1:4-5

⁴In him [‘Isa] was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

It seems that ‘Isa (pbuh) can bring us into a new life with Allah, a life that shines like light in the darkness. With such a life, we have no fear of darkness or the evil eye because we know that the light, the life of ‘Isa (pbuh) in us, is more powerful. We do good works, not for our own glory, but because the life of ‘Isa (pbuh) is surging through our souls in harmony with the will of Allah. Our focus is on bringing glory to Allah and celebrating the life of ‘Isa (pbuh) in us. This is light, and it will stir others to give glory to Allah when they experience the life of ‘Isa (pbuh) in us.

Dua

Do you desire to have a new life with Allah? Would you like to be a light in this world that causes others to give glory to Allah? Say a dua like this one to invite ‘Isa (pbuh) to work in your life.

Oh Allah, you are true in all your ways. You are the source of all that is good. You are the creator of light. Let the life of ‘Isa (pbuh) work in my life so that I can be a light for your glory in this world.