The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5)

The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 5) — Page 572

Introduction CHAPTER 112 AL-IKHLĀṢ (Revealed before Hijrah) That this is one of the earliest Meccan Surahs is the view of Hasan, 'Ikrimah and, above all, Ibn Mas'ud, one of the earliest of the Holy Prophet's Companions. However, Ibn 'Abbās, though much younger than 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud but regarded as one of the most learned Companions, thinks that the Surah was revealed at Medina. In view of these conflicting opinions of these two very respected Companions of the Holy Prophet some commentators of the Quran are inclined to think that the Surah was revealed twice, first at Mecca and then at Medina. Among the orientalists, Muir places it among the earliest Meccan Surahs, while Nöldeke 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 Surah has come to be known by several names, of which some are: At-Tafrīd; At-Tajrīd; At-Tauḥīd, Al-Ikhlās; Al-Ma'rifah; Aş-Şamad; Al-Athāth; An-Nur, etc. Because it deals with the basic religious belief-Unity of God-the Surah has the distinction of being called by the Holy Prophet as the greatest of all the Quranic Sūrahs (Ma‘ānī). ‘Ā'ishah is reported to have said that before going to bed the Holy Prophet used to recite this and the last two Surahs, at least thrice (Abū-Dāwūd). The Surah is entitled Ikhlāṣ because its recitation and deliberation over its subject matter, is calculated to foster in the reader a deep attachment to God. What adds to the great importance of the Surah is the fact that while Al-Fatihah is considered to be a resume of the whole of the Quran, the present Surah, together with the two succeeding it repeats and rehearses the theme of the subject matter of Al-Fātiḥah. 3468