Surah 112 Al-Ikhlas: Our Creator, with Dazzling Details

The 112th Surah of the Quran is entitled “Al-Ikhlas” which is usually translated “Sincerity”, or less commonly, “Devotion.” The word itself shares a root with the word khalasa which means the essence of something. One could say sincerity or devotion is the essential attitude we should bring to Allah. This attitude begins with the understanding of Who He Is, to Whom shall we be sincere, described in this Surah as essentially and indivisibly One in the first two verses. This understanding is completed in the next two verses which describe Who Allah Is Not. We shall examine the original Arabic closely to show how this Surah literally embeds the words that express how Allah creates from nothing, the capability of none but Allah the One Creator.

Analyzing those words further reveals connections to the genetic code, the basis of all life, of which the Creator alone has full knowledge. That such a complex code and system can be referred to meaningfully in so few words and letters in this Surah while conveying a most basic message about Allah’s very Being is certainly astounding.

Al-Rahman, Al-Raheem: The Dynamic Pair of Names

At the very beginning of the Quran, in Surat Al-Fatiha “The Opening”, we are introduced to three great Names for God/ Allah in the Bismallah or Invocation which states “In the Name of Allah, Al-Rahman, Al-Raheem”. The meaning and significance of these two Divine names Al-Rahman — The Almighty — and Al-Raheem — The All-Merciful, reflect the polarity of Yang (might and majesty) and Yin (receptivity and mercy), dynamically interrelated in the context of the One who alone encompasses these names altogether in one Singularity, Indivisible and Eternal, Allah the Exalted.