Chapter 112 - 32
The Purity of Oneness (Surah Al-Ikhlas)
(4 verses in total; revealed in Makkah)
One of the shortest Chapters focused primarily on the Oneness of God – the strict form of monotheism that is hallmark of Abrahamic faith and provides a glimpse of God sublime essence while more elaboration is given closer to the end of revelations such as in 2:255 (Ayatul Kursi).
Key themes in this short chapter are as follows:
God in One – totally independent of any other entity and there is no deity besides God
God has no child nor is God a child of anyone – God exist outside of our human construct
God is superior to anything we can imagine or construct – nothing comparable exist
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy
Say:
God is One!
All depends on God, while God is Independent!
God begets not1, nor is God begotten!
There is none comparable to God!2 (v1-4)
1This is a challenge to the Christian claim that Jesus is son of God.
2This is also a challenge to those who set up images of God or assigns God’s capabilities to other deities. One can be godlike or godly but not God equivalent!
