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Qur'an Studies
Qur'an Studies
Ahad - Oneness
- B'ismillaah ir-rahmaan ir-raheem
- 112:1 - Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad - Say: He is God, the One, Unique.
- Why is the numerical value of "oneness" being placed in this verse ?
786
As-salaam Alaykum:
:
The numerical value of the word "ahad" is one or 1.
In light of the human condition, this is a "unique".
In the context of verse, It is asking us to say God has a value, or identity of 1. Of all the
options open to the people that this chapter is sent to, it was unique. This is why many
translators use the word "Unique" to signify God. It was, and perhaps still is, a novel
ruling.
This is no easy thing to do if we are honest. On the legal level we can easily say God is
One. We can all bow to one direction, or perhaps build a temple and say God is inside
that structure. Some would suggest that a man, or spiritual guide is God to them.
In the teachings of monotheism, this process is called association (shirk). To any level
except the legal level of spiritual awareness, these physical forms would be called gods.
However, I will defend the legal level as valid, but also I would recommend that a seeker
(mureed) go within that to an honest self evaluation of ones motives in life.
If we look at the actual number of spiritual forces we accept as sustaining and gratifying,
the number value of 1 doesn't seem to apply. If you consider on a level greater than the
legal rote meaning, you will discover this. You have to be honest with yourself and look
at what you actually love, or worship. Your actions will hinge on this value. This is called
sincerity of heart. What your heart is longing for, that is what you will do. So if it is
sincere and pointed, you will receive a unique success.
There is a hadith. Muhammad (sal) : "Your works (amal) are reckoned by your intention
(niyyat). The person who has migrated (hijra) for his religion will get one reward;
where a person who has migrated in order to gain a wife, that (alone) will be his
reward.".
So with any endeavour, we must look at the actual reason we are doing some action. We
can find ourselves in distress because of association and insincere actions.
How do we discern the hearts cryptic language? I am suggesting here that every result
first starts as a shadow form inside the intention. This is not to be confused with knowing
from written sources, by mental acuity (aqal).
My Shaykh has taught some weapons of analysis, and I would like to cite some from that
authority. These are for examining nafs internally, and not to be confused with science
which is external study of phenomena.
- Feeling - you hear your hearts longings.
- Awareness - you become aware this is happening, and you begin to understand the
speech. - Intellect - you begin to inventory what is happening, the range of motion emanating.
- Judgement - you perceive the differences in the voices, and you sort good from bad.
- Wisdom - you begin to operate using the good, and discarding the bad, through
strength. - Analysis - you examine what is sincere from what is false, rejecting hypocrisy.
- Luminosity - you apply the weapon of prayer to that condition, from that comes
liberation.
The process must start with the ability to perceive the heart condition. Without that, no
matter how much strength or intellect you apply, it will produce association.
This is the reason every spiritual guide on the earth, and in the grave, is asking us to
examine our heart, and then find a remedy in prayer for that condition.
Without that examination, there is little good that can come from striving. Instead of
migrating for true religion, you will be migrating for the wife (worldly, material) and you
will be in loss.
"The rewards of your deeds will be reckoned by the intention."
Book of Knowledge; Bukhairi 1:1
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Surat al-Ikhlas - Sincerity