Pure Faith: Surat al-Ikhlas Explained, by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz begins by explaining some of the virtues of Surat al-Ikhlas, and why it is so central to the message of Islam. He then details the context of revelation–and how this Sura was revealed both in Mecca and Medina.Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, of SeekersHub Toronto (www.seekersguidance.org), explains a chapter of the Qur’an that the Prophet ﷺ described as being “A third of the Qur’an.”

Going through this Sura, Shaykh Faraz explains the meanings of the Divine Name (Allah), and Allah’s Names “the Unique” (al-Ahad) and–most critically, in understanding the significance of this Sura and in understanding the distinguishing Islamic understanding of God’s Oneness–“the Independent/Eternal/Self-Sufficient/Perfect/Absolute” (al-Samad).

The final two verses then detail the implications of these two distinguishing Divine Names, and emphasize the absolute distinctness and dissimilarity of God.

Shaykh Faraz closes with an important explanation of mainstream Islamic understanding of transendence (tanzih); how unclear verses are understood in light of the clear and decisive verses; how one answers the questions of children and others about Allah; and how all Allah’s Attributes are understood from this brief Sura–either by the expression of its text, or by indication, allusion, or implication.

This is an important lesson for anyone seeking to understand a central sura of the Qur’an, and serves as a comprehensive yet concise introduction to the principles of Islamic beliefs (aqida). There are many points of clarification and benefit in it for seekers of knowledge, as well.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is Executive Director and Senior Instructor at SeekersHub Global / SeekersGuidance (https://seekersguidance.org), and teaches at SeekersHub Toronto (http://www.SeekersHub.org).

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