By Umm Isam – Hiba Magazine Team Writer
Allah (swt) describes Himself in the Quran: “Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who] is One.’” (Al Ikhlaas 112:1)
Al Ahad is Allah’s (swt) beautiful name that has occurred in the Quran only once. But it is part of a much repeated Surah that is taught to Muslims early in their childhood. They recite it frequently in their Salah and seldom forget it even in their old age. It is Surat Ikhlaas.
Abu Hurairah (rta) reported that Prophet Muhammad (sa) said: “Surat Ikhlaas is equivalent to one-third of the Quran.” (Muslim)
It is Allah’s (swt) divine mercy that He has blessed a believer with exceptional rewards for such little efforts. Though Surat Ikhlaas seems like a simple Surah yet it holds a very deep message and road map to eternal guidance and success for muslims.
Story of Surat Al Ikhlaas introducing Allah Al Ahad
Surat Ikhlaas was revealed by Allah (swt) as an answer to questions by the disbelievers and that is why it begins with ‘Qul’ referring to the Prophet Muhammad (sa) ‘to say’.
Quraish sent to Prophet Muhammad (sa) a man Amr ibn Tufail who said: “Oh Muhammad! You divided our community and you insulted our gods and our idols. If the reason behind doing so is wealth, let us know, we will collect wealth and make you the wealthiest man of Arabia. If its for women, we will marry you to the most beautiful woman of Quraish. If it’s because you are possessed, we will perform Ruqiya for you and get you the best doctors in town.”
Prophet Muhammad (sa) didn’t respond to Amr ibn Tufail. Amr returned. Next Quraish sent an entire group of delegates to the Messenger of Allah (sa). They were confused because they had offered the Prophet (sa) everything they had.
“What are you calling us to? How is it different from what we are already worshipping and preaching?” The disbelievers asked.
Prophet Muhammad (sa) responded: “I call you to Allah.”
The disbelievers replied: “We worship Allah too. Describe Him to us. Describe your God’s lineage to us. Is He made from gold or silver or metal or wood?”
By Allah’s (swt) mercy and command at this point Gibrail (as) came down with this great Surah and revealed to Prophet Muhammad (sa) the most complete and perfect description of Allah (swt) in concise and comprehensive words:
“Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” (Surat Al Ikhlaas 112:1-4)
That is how Al Ahad, a beautiful name of Allah (swt) (among many other Al Asma Al Husna) was introduced.
Al Asma was Sifaat are a source of Tauheed for us. Through these divine names and mentioned qualities, Allah (swt) has introduced Himself to us in the Quran and the Sunnah, so we can become His devout worshippers. These names develop our correct world view. Allah’s (swt) names enable us to decide with confidence and progress. They become a means of drawing closer to Allah (swt) when we invoke Him using His names. Al Asma Al Husna also heal our heart in disappointing and dreadful happenings in life.
Who is Al Ahad?
Allah is Al Ahad, the One and Only Lord of the universe.
Allah Al Ahad has no companion
He is and has always been One and only. No one else has ever been with Allah Al Ahad. It means that He is strong and doesn’t need a family, friends or anyone else for support and help. He solely decides, plans, executes, manages, orders every happening in the universe. Allah Al Ahad has no partners whom He reports to, consults or relies upon. He does not feel lonely. He is praiseworthy for His incredible attributes and amazing actions. Allah Al Ahad alone is enough to listen, watch and witness His creation’s lives. He is alone in his knowledge about their past, present and future. Allah Al Ahad grants, forgives and responds to His needy, desperate and dependent creation.
Allah Al Ahad is unique
There is no one like Allah (swt) in His Being. As faulty and weak creation, when we reflect about Allah (swt) as our Creator, we wrongly perceive Him with limitations that His creation has. That is why maybe we are not able to make big and impossible Duas. We don’t invoke Him as He ought to be asked for. Nobody shares His knowledge, wisdom and awareness. No one can overpower Him, control Him or defeat Him. By Allah’s (swt) permission and divine plan, when evil individuals or nations seem as temporary winners in the world causing mischief, oppression and injustices everywhere, sometimes the believers’ faith plunges. They fall into satan’s trap of suspecting Allah’s (swt) strength and power. Allah Al Ahad’s plans are unique just like Him. We cannot forecast, perceive or understand it until Allah (swt) grants us the knowledge about it. But He has commanded believers to adhere to His Book of guidance, the Quran and His Prophet’s (sa) Sunnah to keep their faith thriving and actions progressing in the right direction.
Allah Al Ahad only has the right to be worshipped
A thinker once commented: “Why would I want to worship someone or something that is weak, temporary and dependent upon a higher being? The sun rises but sets every day. Idols need humans to sculpt them. Animals die hence they are mortal just like me. Why should I worship any of them then? If you consider the Gods of the 21st century, they have a problem too. Science and technology keeps changing its stance based on their research and needs, hence its unreliable. Money and capitalism thrives on exploitation of weaker humans, hence it causes corruption. Desires are destructive and endless granting momentary happiness but extensive mental, emotional and behavioral suffering eventually. How can someone take them as a God? Only Allah Al Ahad has the nobility, grandeur and magnificence to be the greatest universal deity.”
Allah Al Ahad only maintains the unity of Lordship
Dr. Bilal Philips explains in his book titled “The Fundamentals of Tawheed”: “Tauheed e Ruboobeeyah is based on the fundamental concept that Allah (swt) caused all things to exist when there was nothing. Allah (swt) sustains and maintains His creation without any need from it. Allah (swt) is the sole Lord of the universe and its inhabitants without any real challenge to His sovereignity.” Naturally Allah Al Ahad will cause us to die and resurrect us in Aakhirah to bring us to account for our deeds done in Dunya, right now.
Make Dua to Allah Al Ahad
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا اللهُ بِأَنَّكَ الْوَاحِدُ الأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Oh Allah! I ask You. Oh Allah! You are the One, the Only, Self-Sufficient Master, Who was not begotten and begets not and none is equal to Him. Forgive me my sins, surely you are Forgiving, Merciful.” (Mishkat, Bukhari, Muslim)
Adapted from a course ‘Beautiful names of Allah (swt)’ taught by Safiya Khan.
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