Assalaamu alaikum,
It was asked: how to find noor (Light)?
Allah is... Light upon light. And He Guides whomever He Wills to His Light... (inspired by 24:35)
It seems to me that we should seek Allah's Guidance in order to find this Light. We have three sources of guidance, I think. The Signs in Creation, the Qur'an and the Sunnah (the words and actions of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). But also, it seems to me, the previous Books, and words and actions of prior Prophets (PBUT) Sent by Him may contain enough echoes to help the seeker of Light to find at least some Guidance.
I believe that Muslim, in the word's original, Qur'anic sense, describes a relationship with God. It is not a casual label that we are born into. We are all born Muslim! But then we wander astray... and we all have to make an active and conscious effort to find Him, to please Him. In my understanding, the label we affix to ourselves is not very important. It is the relationship we are trying to have that is what is important.
If you are born into a family whose ancestors perhaps were Muslims, it does not automatically mean that you, too, are a Muslim with a guaranteed spot in Paradise. And if you are born into a family whose ancestors were, perhaps, atheists, this does not mean that you are a Kaafir who is doomed to Torment. Because kafara means “to hide, conceal, be ungrateful”. It is an active choice, too (both Muslim and Kaafir are (grammatically) active participles, incidentally). God offers you the possibilities to Know Him. For those fortunate enough to be exposed to His Unadulterated Word, it is easier to find Allah, in my opinion.
But for those who are Blessed with different circumstances, there are always ways to find Him. Because in the wind that blows the scents of thunder, in the industry of the ants, in the flying of the birds, in the dawning of the day...Allah Calls to us. In the wise words we find, half faded with human mistakes, Allah Calls to us. In the emptiness of the created heart, Allah Calls to us.
And how do we use this Guidance to find Him, to know how to please Him, to perhaps be Blessed with His Light? Well, He has Given us the tools to distinguish between things (in my understanding, this is what al-furqaan means). He Gave us our fitrah (our inner sense of right and wrong), our taqwa (a sense that can “feel” Allah, and that protects us from that which is displeasing to Him (and which is therefore bad for us)), and our intellects.
Do we consider the signs in Creation? Do we try to use our inner compass to chose what is best? Do we listen to, or read, the messages He has Sent us? Do we try to understand the people, objects and events that He Sends across our Paths? Do we open our hearts and try to feel God's Will?
If we do, I believe, we are struggling to be Muslims (those who surrender to Him). But if we chose to ignore the Guidance, if we smother our taqwa and fitrah and ban our intellects from pursuing Him, then we are being Kaafirs (those who cover and are ungrateful to their Creator). The labels we affix to ourselves are not very important. It is the state of our relationship with Him that He Looks at.
This is how I understand His Guidance and the methods He has Given us to weigh and understand His Guidance.
As for noor (light)? It seems to me that when we find those moments of peace and balance and harmony, when we are in that state of Islam, He Sends His Light into our hearts. Through our connection with Him (which we all have...through His Ruh, maybe?), our uncovered and questioning hearts can receive His Light. And then we can radiate it to others around us. And the more our hearts overflow with His Light, the more we shine onto others.
But it seems to me that, just as our relationship with Him fluctuates, so does the level of light we have in our hearts to shine, fluctuates. And some people shine more often or more brightly than others. But I have seen pretty dark people have moments of brightness. And pretty bright people have times of darkness. (smile) Are there not times when we overflow with love for all around us, and we feel like we're shining on the people around us? And are there not other times when dark thoughts and actions colour our lives and we cast instead hungry shadows onto others, and are not very nice to those around us?
How to find more Light? Look to please Allah, is what I believe. How? Well, first find out what (through the Guidance and using al-furqaan) pleases Him, and then do it. Seek knowledge. As much and as far as you can. And then apply what you have learnt.
And remembrance of Allah? Yes, of course, formulated prayers and praise are one way. But everything can be a remembrance (thikr) of the Creator! When you comfort your sick child at night instead of sleeping... because you know that's what He Loves. This is thikr. Cleaning your house and clothes...because that's what He Loves. This is thikr. Looking for fair trade food...because that's what He Loves. This is thikr. Visiting a friend who's sad...because that's what He Loves. This is thikr. We can try to make our whole lives a continuous remembrance of Him. We can make our lives into living prayers and praise.
And if we do this, I believe, we'll find ourselves more often than not in a state of Islam. And He Will Illuminate our hearts, and we will spill His Light into the lives of those around us.
In sha Allah (If it is the Will of God).
But only Allah, the Knowing really Knows.
May He Who is the Light Guide and Illuminate us.