"The Olive Tree" (2021) Painting

One of Six Exclusive Paintings from the Dark for Light Series by Artist Mariam Rajput Olive oil is full of energy, a source of light almost on it's own. There was a practice in times past where dipping a little tiny thread in it, surrounding the thread with pure glass, and putting the final product in a niche will produce real light. The oil won’t light on its own although it almost does. The glass protects the burning thread from being extinguished by a little blow of air; allowing the light within the glass to spread evenly and purposefully. Putting the glass on the floor may cause light to be blocked by obstacles or may create a path for it to be obstructed by those passing by. Putting it in the niche allows its light to bypass obstacles and protects it from damage. The Qur’an (olive oil) is full of guidance and almost guides it's people on its own. When we (threads) dip ourselves in it we will light. If we let this light go out through our character (glass), it will help people see this light and benefit from it. Without that, the Qur’an will continue to be full of light but will ‘almost’ guide. Without creating a path for the light, we will continue to be threads waiting for illumination. Most unfortunately, the world will continue to be waiting for light. Written in midnight black ink are the words: ‏ ٱللَّهُ نُورُ ٱلسَّمَوَتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِۦ كَمِشْكَوٰةٍۢ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ ٱلْمِصْبَاحُ فِى زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ ٱلزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌۭ دُرِّىٌّۭ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍۢ مُّبَرَكَةٍۢ زَيْتُونَةٍۢ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍۢ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍۢ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِىٓءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌۭ ۚ نُّورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍۢ ۗ يَهْدِى ٱللَّهُ لِنُورِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْأَمْثَلَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ ‎ "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is that of a niche, in which there is a lamp; the lamp is in a glass - the glass looks like a brilliant star - it is lit by (the oil of) a blessed tree, the olive, which is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is about to emit light even though the fire has not touched it - (it is) light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomsoever He wills; Allah describes examples for the people, and Allah knows everything well." Surah Al-Nur Created with black ink and 24k gold leaf. ___________________________________________ 18x24 inches with 2 inch thick, Gallery wrapped borders Arrives pre-wired and ready to hang with a Certificate of Authenticity and relevant documents via First Class Air Mail