Reflection On Learning Tawheed From Surat al-Ikhlas
Allah {swt} said:
” He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him {Ikhlas:3-4}“
Introduction:
Ustadh Sa’id Nursi {r} comments on these verses by illustrating the various levels of meaning derived from the Qur’an particularly as it relates to Aqeeda. He categorizes those who reflect upon the Qur’an to learn aqeeda in various categories according to understanding.
1. The belief of the ordinary person in the Qur’an
Ordinary people, the majority of humanity, understand that Almighty Allah {swt} has not parents, children, wives, and equals. Those having relatively higher levels of understanding will infer that the verses reject Jesus’ supposed {by Christians} divine son-ship and divinity, and the divinity of angles and all beings who beget and are begotten.
Now since rejecting a negation or an impossibility is useless, according to, the science of rhetoric, it must have another important, useful import. As Allah {swt} does not beget and was not begotten, this rejection must serve another purpose: Whoever has parents, children, and equals cannot be Allah {swt} and so does not deserve worship.
This is one reason why Surat ul- Ikhlas,. From which the above verses are quoted, is of such great use for al persons at all times.
2. The belief of the person who reflects upon the Qur’an
Those with a higher degree of understanding derive the meaning that Almighty Allah is free of all relationships with the creation that suggest begetting and being begotten, and that He has no partners, helpers or fellow deities. He is the Creator, and everything and everyone is the created. Allah creates with the command “Be and it is” and through His eternal Will. He is absolutely free of every quality suggesting compulsion or obligation, and unwilled, unintended action, for these would be contrary to His absolute perfection.
3.The belief of the person who reflects upon the Qur’an with fervor and insensity
Another group with an even higher level of understanding infers the meaning that Allah Almighty is eternal, without beginning or end, and is the First and the Last. He has no equals, peers, likes, or anything similar or analogous to Him in His Being, Attributes, or Acts. …
[excerpted from the Book: Words -”the 25 word” Written by Ustadh Said Nursi{r}]
4. Additional notes by Abul-Hussein:
Recently I read where the traditional Shaikh, Yahya Rhodus said:
“Traditionally in certain areas of the Muslim world, such as Mauritania, the ulema tended not teach the more complex forms of theology. For example, a man came to Murabit al-Hajj (May Allah preserve him) and asked to be taught Aqida; the Shaykh delayed doing so, but the man persisted so the Shaykh taught him Surat al-Ikhlaas as it was all he really needed.”
This statement I can confer, a true and dear friend of mine went to Mauratania to study and related to me that he had a similar experience with Shaikh Murabit al Hajj upon ask -ing him to learn aqeeda. We sought remember that Aqeeda is the tie between the believer and his “Rabb” so we should not make of belief a point of debate, conflict nor speculation but should root in revelation which is a source of certainty for the believer.
5. Conclusion
In closing let us remember that aqeeda is a matter dealing with the Unseen we would do well to reflect on the following verses and follow the lead of the angels who declared that they only know what was taught to them by Allah {swt}. We likewise should declare the same as the angels when we speak about Allah {swt}.
Allah {swt} said:
“And He taught Adam all the names, then presented them to the angels: then He said: Tell me the names of those if you are right.
They said [the angels]: Glory be to Thee we have no knowledge but that which Thou hast taught us surely Thou art the Knowing, the Wise.” {Baqara: 32}