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Structural Cohesion In The Quran [A Series]: Surah Al Ikhlas

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surah ikhlas

This is a continuation of a series on the structure and organization of the Quran. The goal is to help the reader appreciate the amazing coherence of Allah’s subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) word and dismantle the myth of the “random” and “unorganized” Quran.

 

سُورَة الإِخلَاص

Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ

Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ (Sincerity) is one of the most oft-recited suwar in the Quran by Muslims around the world. Though it is one of the shortest suwar, its contents succinctly summarize the uncompromising monotheism of Islam. It was revealed while the Messenger ﷺ was still in Makkah. 

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Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ appears to have two probable structures. From one angle, it may be organized into a ring structure as follows:

A – Say, “The truth is that Allah is Uniquely One. (1)
     B – Allah is needed by all, needing none. (2)
          C – He does not give birth, (3a)
          C’ – nor was He given birth to. (3b)
     B’ – And equal to Him has never been (4a)
A’ – any one.” (4b)

CONNECTIONS

[A]/[A’]The sūrah begins with the central call of Islam; Allah ﷻ is “One”, unique in His singularity. This is in contrast to the lowercase “one” being referenced at the end of the sūrah who is simply one of many lesser beings.

[B]/[B’] – Following the declaration of monotheism, Allah ﷻ informs us that He is needed by all, while at the same time, needing no one else. Unlike Allah ﷻ, all of creation can never be equal to Him with our deficiencies and needs.

[C]/[C’] – Finally, the sūrah centers on an important theological point in that Allah ﷻ never has, and never will, take part in any type of reproductive process. This furthers the points made in the outer sections as this makes Him unique to all living creatures, without comparison. He requires no parent, nor does He require an heir to come after Him.

However, if we look at the sūrah another way, we find an alternative structure.1One I find much more convincing. This comes from personal correspondence with a reader of my blog, Omer Abid

D – Say, “The truth is that Allah is Uniquely One. (1)
     E – Allah, the Eternal. (2)
          F – He does not give birth, (3a)
     E’ – nor was He given birth to. (3b)
D’ – And equal to Him has never been anyone.” (3) 

CONNECTIONS

[D]/[D’] – The sūrah begins by declaring Allah’s complete oneness and uniqueness. One might ask, “Are there others like Him, equally unique in their own right?” to which Allah ﷻ responds in the negative with the last āyah.

[E]/[E’] – The second āyah deals with Allah ﷻ being eternal in the future.2The observant reader may have noticed the different renderings for the word, “Aṣ-Ṣamad,” in the second āyah between the two structures. When one searches the meaning of the Quran in tafsīr, it is common to come across multiple definitions and explanations of a single word. What scholars will tell you is that often these differences of opinion are not contradictory, but rather, complementary. Each may in fact be correct and further lends to the depth of the Quran’s meanings. This is probably best seen in the translation of the word “Aṣ-Ṣamad,” above as both “needed by all, needing none,” and “the Eternal.” While completely different, they are both valid. Similarly, maybe Quranic structuring is the same way. Is it possible that the depth of Allah’s words allows for there to be more than one way to organize them? And that each new structuring gives us a different perspective on the text? I believe so. One might ask, “What about the past? Our souls also live on forever from the point of our creation.” To which Allah ﷻ responds with the second half of the third āyah. He has no beginning, and thus is eternal in the past as well.

[F] – The center is a succinct summary of both outer sections. Unlike all His creation, Allah ﷻ does not need a creator nor something to succeed Him as we do. This makes Him unique from all that is created and emphasizes His eternal being.

And Allah ﷻ knows best.

[If the study of the Quran’s structure interests you, please check out Heavenly Order for many more examples of the Quran’s amazing organization and coherence.]

 

Related:

Structural Cohesion In The Quran [A Series]: Surah Al Fatihah – MuslimMatters.org

[Podcast] Ramadan Vibes: Connecting with the Quran | Sh Muhammad Ziyad Batha – MuslimMatters.org

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

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The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Munir Eltal has a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an Arabic Certificate from Bayyinah Institute. He is currently a Project Manager for a medical device company in Southern California. He studies at Institute of Knowledge (IOK) in Diamond Bar, CA through their full-time seminary program. He also teaches Arabic at IOK for their part-time seminary program. He runs the weekly blog, Heavenly Order, where he researches the organization, structure, and cohesion of the ayahs and surahs of the Quran.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. alisaroba

    August 9, 2023 at 12:10 PM

    The Quran, revered as the ultimate source of guidance for Muslims, is a literary masterpiece that carries profound depth and cohesion within its verses. Each chapter, or surah, contributes to a grand symphony of wisdom and spirituality. In this ongoing series, we will delve into the structural cohesion embedded within the Quran’s chapters, starting with Surah Al Ikhlas.

    Surah Al Ikhlas, the 112th chapter of the Quran, is a concise yet powerful declaration of the concept of monotheism (Tawheed). It consists of only four verses, yet its depth of meaning and its structural cohesion within the Quranic narrative are remarkable.

    The chapter begins with the words “Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad” (Say, He is Allah, the One). These opening words immediately establish the focus of the chapter: the pure and absolute oneness of God. This theme resonates throughout the Quran, emphasizing the fundamental principle of monotheism in Islam. This cohesion highlights the consistent message that Allah is uniquely One, and all aspects of the faith revolve around this core belief.

    As we reflect on the structural coherence within Surah Al Ikhlas, it’s worth considering how this chapter echoes the essence of monotheism and its importance in the life of a Muslim. Just as each verse builds upon the other, reinforcing the concept of Allah’s oneness, Muslims are encouraged to build their lives upon the foundation of Tawheed.

    To further explore the richness of Surah Al Ikhlas and its implications, one can turn to resources like IslamGuide.eu (https://islamguide.eu/). This online platform offers in-depth insights into the Quranic teachings, helping Muslims understand the interwoven nature of concepts and chapters. For those seeking a comprehensive understanding of the Quran, IslamGuide.eu serves as a valuable guide.

    In conclusion, Surah Al Ikhlas serves as a shining example of the Quran’s structural cohesion, offering a clear and profound message about the oneness of Allah. Just as the verses of this chapter seamlessly flow together to convey its central theme, Muslims are encouraged to weave the principles of monotheism into the fabric of their lives. With resources like IslamGuide.eu, the beauty and significance of such chapters can be further explored, enriching one’s spiritual journey.

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