Hadith e Noor

Pupil of Imam Maalik and the teacher of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal and Hafidh al-Hadith Imam Abdur Razzaq Abu Bakr bin Hamman, the teacher of the teachers of Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim, in his Book "Musannaf", has narrated from Hadrat Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari and his son (Radi Allahu Anhuma), that he asked the Holy Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon Him):

"O Prophet of Allah (SallAllahu Alayihi wa Sallam) ! My parents be sacrificed upon you, What did the Almighty Allah first create?" The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayihi wa Sallam) replied: "Allah first created my Noor (Light) of His Noor. This Noor traveled about according to the Will of Allah. At that time, there was no Heaven, Hell, Lawh (Divine Tablet), Pen, Earth, Skies, Sun, Moon, Jinn or Human Beings. When He decided to create, He divided that Noor into four parts. From one part He created the Pen, from the second, the Lawh and from the third, he made the Arsh Throne). He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one, He created those Angels who carry the Arsh, from the second, the Kursi (Divine Chair) and from the third, He created the Angels. He again divided the remaining parts into a further four parts. From one, He created the skies. The second was used in creating the planets. From the third, Heaven and Earth were created. Once again, He divided the fourth part into a further four parts. From one part He created the power with which the believers see. From the second, He created in the hearts of the Believers the Noor of Marifat. From the third, He created in the tongues of the Believers, Noor, so that they can read the Kalima of Tawheed."

Ref:
Muwahib al-Ladunniyyah, Vol. 1, Page 9
Zarqani ala al-Mawahib, Vol. 1, Page 46
Seerat al-Halabiyah, Vol. 1, Page 37
Hujatullahu ala al-Alameen, Page 68
Anwaar al-Muhammadiya, Page 9
Matali al-Masarraat Sharah Dalail al-Khayraat, Page 610