Light plays a central role in the Quran. The contrast between light and dark demonstrates a pivotal conception in the Islamic faith. It is the difference between knowledge and ignorance, faith and infidelity, and right and wrong. As depicted by al-Ghazali, God is the source of the ultimate light, and by seeing that light a person reaches a state of revelation since only the faithful see that light. The ignorant or unfaithful live in darkness without the light of God or faith to guide them through life. Considering the importance of this concept in the Islamic faith, colors as the depiction of this light in different states must be considered as equally important. Muslims across the centuries dedicated a great deal of attention to colors, manifested in their glorious repertoire of architectural marvels.
Abaza, I.S., ‘Color symbolism in Islamic book painting’ (Unpublished Master Thesis: American University in Cairo, AUC Knowledge Fountain, 2018).
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