Ikhlās I (Sincerity I)

Ikhlās (Sincerity)

Conversely, in the verse

قَالَتِ الْاَعْرَابُ

the feminine verb

قَالَتِ

is used instead of the masculine

قَالَ

despite the fact that the subject refers to a group of men.

By employing these forms in this way, the Qur’an subtly indicates the following: weak and gentle women become stronger and acquire a measure of strength when they unite, and through that unity they metaphorically acquire a kind of masculine strength. Thus, the use of the masculine verb

قَالَ

in the verse

وَ قَالَ نِسْوَةٌ فِى الْمَدٖينَةِ

is highly appropriate.

Strong men, on the other hand—and especially the Arab Bedouins—often fail to establish firm unity because they rely on their own individual strength. Owing to this lack of solidarity, they assume a position of weakness and softness, qualities metaphorically associated here with feminine softness. Therefore, the use of the feminine verb

قَالَتِ

in the verse

قَالَتِ الْاَعْرَابُ

is likewise profoundly fitting.

Indeed, since īmān in Allah provides an immensely powerful support that leads to trust in Him and taslīmiyya to Him, those who walk the straight path are reluctant to make their needs known to others or to seek assistance from them. Even when they do ask for help, they do not do so in a manner that produces strong worldly solidarity.

Those who are preoccupied with worldly concerns, however, neglect their true source of support — īmān in Allah — and consequently become overwhelmed by weakness and helplessness. This gives rise to a powerful need for allies and helpers, leading them to form close and even self-sacrificing bonds of unity.

In short, those who follow the right path often fail to appreciate the genuine strength that lies in unity and therefore suffer its wrongful and harmful opposite: discord. Those who have gone astray, despite following a false path, recognise through their own weakness the power of solidarity and thus embrace unity, enabling them to accomplish their objectives.

As for the remedy for this disease of division among those who are rightly guided, it lies in adhering firmly to the powerful prohibition of Allah:

وَلَا تَنَازَعُوا فَتَفْشَلُوا وَتَذْهَبَ رٖيحُكُمْ

and to His profound social command:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰى

One must also recognise how destructive discord is for Islam and how greatly it assists those who have gone astray in prevailing over the people of truth. Finally, one should acknowledge one’s own weakness and helplessness and sincerely unite with fellow believers who walk the same path. Such unity leads to selflessness, frees a person from riyā, and enables the attainment of ikhlās.