Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 168
168 Chapter 112 Al-Ikhl as E R H (Revealed before Hijrah) Date of Revelation and Context That this is one of the earliest Meccan Chapters is the view of H asan, ‘Ikrimah and above all Ibn Mas‘ u d, one of the earliest Companions of the Holy Prophet. But Ibn ‘Abb a s, though much younger than Ibn Mas‘ u d, and regarded as one of the most learned of the Companions, thinks that the S u rah was revealed at Medina. In view of these conflicting opinions of the two very respected Companions of the Holy Prophet, some Commentators of the Qur’ a n are inclined to think that the S u rah was revealed twice, first at Mecca and then at Medina. Among Orientalists Muir places it among the earliest Meccan Chapters while Noldeke assigns it to the end of the first period—about the fourth year of the Call. In view of the importance of its subject-matter, the S u rah has come to be known by several names, of which more important are: At-Tafr i d; At-Tajr i d; At-Tau hi d; Al-Ikhl as ; Al-Ma‘rifah; A s - S amad; Al-A h ad; An-N u r, etc. Because it deals with the basic belief of Islam—Unity of God— the S u rah has the distinction of being called by the Holy Prophet as the greatest of all the Qur’ a nic S u rahs (Ma‘ a ni). ‘ A ’ishah is reported to have said that before going to bed the Holy Prophet used to recite this and the last two Chapters at least thrice (D a w u d). The S u rah is entitled Ikhl as , because its recitation and deliberation over its subject-matter is calculated to foster in the reader a deep attachment to God. What adds to its great importance is the fact that while Al-F a ti h ah is considered to be the resume of the whole of the Qur’ a n, the present S u rah , together with the two following Chapters, repeats and rehearses the subject-matter of Al-F a ti h ah. It deals with the four principal transcendent Divine attributes while S u rah Al-F a ti h ah deals with the four main attributes of similitude.