Ikhlaṣ
Definition
Ikhlas is the antidote to riya: the pure, exclusive orientation of every act of worship toward Allah alone, without any admixture of the desire for human recognition. Al-Ghazali presents ikhlas as one of the most demanding and most important virtues in the entire Ihya, because the human being naturally craves approval and recognition and because the social environment consistently rewards religious performance. Achieving genuine ikhlas requires not the elimination of the desire for approval (which is humanly impossible) but its subordination: the person of ikhlas desires approval but has made the pursuit of Allah's approval so overwhelmingly primary that human approval becomes irrelevant to the decision to act.
As understood in the classical tradition of Imam al-Ghazali and the scholars of his school.
How the scholars use Ikhlaṣ.
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"more beneficial. He replied, May God have mercy on him. And how is it when the garments are constantly soiled? Similarly, Surat al-Ikhlas, which equals one-third of the Qur'an, does not replace the verses of inheritance, divorce, and similar matters. These verses are more beneficial than recitation of Surat al-Ikhlas when required. Prayer, which encompasses recitation, remembrance, and supplication, represents the complete expression of servitude in its fullest form. Hence, it surpasses each of recitation, remembrance, and supplication individually due to its incorporation of all these, alongside the servitude of all bodily"
— Ibn al-Qayyim, The Wholesome Rain of Good Words
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"said: "Whoever performs twelve rak'ahs on the night of Friday between Maghrib and Isha, reciting in each rak'ah Al-Fatiha once and Surah Al-Ikhlas eleven times, it is as if he has worshipped Allah for twelve years, fasting during the days and standing in prayer at night. Anas also reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever performs Isha in congregation on the night of Friday, prays the two rak'ahs of Sunnah, then prays ten additional rak'ahs, reciting in each rak'ah Al-Fatiha, Surah Al-Ikhlas, and the last two chapters of the Quran once each,"
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer
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"knowledge of His attributes and names, and familiarity with His deeds and ways with His servants. Surah Al-Ikhlas, focusing on sanctification, is equated to one-third of the Qur’an. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Ikhlas has recited one-third of the Qur’an." Now, let's explore the meaning of contentment with Allah's decree."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 36: The Book of Love, Longing, Intimacy, and Contentment
Appears in
3 books in the library
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