Question Summary:
What is the difference between “Nūr” and “Dhiyā”?

Question Detail:

I would like to know the difference between Nūr and Dhiyā as is mentioned in a Hadīth of Sahīh Muslim: “As-Salātu Nūr…Was-Sabru Dhiyā”?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The Hadīth in reference is quoted below:
 
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الْإِيمَانِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَأُ الْمِيزَانَ، وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلَآَنِ - أَوْ تَمْلَأُ - مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، وَالصَّلَاةُ نُورٌ، وَالصَّدَقَةُ بُرْهَانٌ وَالصَّبْرُ ضِيَاءٌ، وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ، كُلُّ النَّاسِ يَغْدُو فَبَايِعٌ نَفْسَهُ فَمُعْتِقُهَا أَوْ مُوبِقُهَا»(صحيح مسلم, رقم الحديث 223: دار احياء التراث)
 
Translation: Cleanliness is part of Imān (faith).  (The reward of) Al-Hamdulillāh fills the scale.  Subhānallāh and Al-Hamdulillāh both fill up completely between the heavens and the earth (with reward). Salāh is light.  Charity is a proof (of Imān).  Patience is a strong light.  Qurān is an argument in your favor or against you.  Everybody sets out in the morning and sells himself.  Some protect themselves (from the punishment because of selling themselves for Allāh) and others destroy themselves (due to selling themselves for shaytān and their lustful desires). (Sahīh Muslim, Hadīth No. 223: Dār Ihyā At-Turāth)
 
Both words Nūr and Dhiyā mean glow and light.  However, Nūr refers to light in general while Dhiyā refers to a specific light. [1]
When one establishes Salāh, Nūr (a light) is generated within the heart.  This guides the establisher of Salāh towards the truth and illuminates his heart with guidance and contentment. [2]  Sabr refers to exercising restraint. When an individual is patient and restrains himself from evils and vices, Dhiyā (a stronger light) is generated.  This is because the sacrifice in Sabr is far greater and intense than the sacrifice of performing Salāh.  This is the greatest challenge upon the nafs as the nafs is inclined towards wrongs and evils.  It is because of this greater sacrifice, the light that is generated in the heart is more intense than the light generated by performing Salāh.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Abdul Azeem bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
US
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net