Teachers Book Al-Ikhlas

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas SURAH 112: AL-IKHLAS ‫سورة الإخلاص‬ Sincerity Learning Outcomes: At the end of this Surah, the students will learn: 1. The characteristics of God. 2. The logical reason for those characters. 3. How these attributes effect our view of life. SURAH OVERVIEW Al-Ikhlāṣ is a Meccan surah. “al-Ikhlāṣ” usually means sincerity. But the fact that this surah is oddly named so in a surah that focuses on creedal matters indicates that the word “Ikhlāṣ” can mean more than just sincerity. Here, it primarily means “the purity of faith”. “The purity of faith” and “sincerity” are not altogether unrelated; for only a person with pure faith can be truly sincere. Surah “al-Ikhlāṣ” is a surah revealed as a response to a question asked by the Quraysh people about Allah. They asked the Prophet: “Tell us, O Muhammad, about your God. Is he made of gold? Or silver? Or aquamarine? Or ruby?”. The Quraysh challenged Prophet Muhammad about Allah’s Essence, asking “What is Allah made of?”. Allah answered this question with uncompromising clarity. Let us see His response below.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas TAFSIR CORNER 1. The Pronouncement of Tawḥīd: “Say: He is Allah, the One and only God” Allah begins this surah in the same manner begun surah al-Kāfirūn, with the word Say!”. This word clearly indicates that the answer that Prophet Muhammad gave the Quraysh was not his own but came from Allah Himself. And His irrefutable answer states that Allah is singularly One. 2. Elaborating the Meaning of Tawḥīd: “Allah the Sustainer (needed by all)” Allah then continues to explain what His Oneness means. He depends on no one, and everything is dependent on Him because He is Eternal and Absolute. 3. Further Implication of the Expression of Tawḥīd: “He begets none, nor is He begotten,” Allah has no children and no parents. This answers the accusations of the People of the Book who claim that Allah has children. The Jews say He begets the angels, while the Christians say He begets Prophet Isa. None of these false claims has any truth. Additionally, Allah is not begotten because He is Eternal and exists before all of creation. 4. The Conclusion of Allah’s Oneness: “No one is comparable to Him.” Allah is the Creator of everything so nothing can be equal to Him, and He is without peers. We cannot compare Him to any of his creations, so how can we say that He is made of anything like the Quraysh asked? While some of the previous surahs such as al-Kāfirūn clearly reject the possibility of any similarities between Allah and other proclaimed deities, surah al-Ikhlāṣ, on the other hand, sets out to conclusively affirm the truth of Allah’s Oneness. In conclusion, Allah is not only incomparable from the aspect of Him as the Creator, Him as the Lord worthy of worship, Him as the Possessor of the beautiful Names and Attributes, but also Him in His Essence. supportive and helpful towards other people.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 1: SOUND TRANSMISSION Introduction: This week focuses on the general and the most important theme of the surah, which is faith. This activity revolves around memorization and the importance of sharing our faith with everyone else. Set Induction: The religion of Islam is characterized by pure faith. Why is it called pure? Let’s find out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Memorize the surah. 2. Explain the importance of sharing the faith with others. Materials: 1. 2 cups 2. 2 paper clips 3. Fishing line, about 1m 4. Needle Procedure: 1. Make a hole at the base of the 2 cups using a needle. 2. Connect the cups with a fishing line. 3. Divide the students into pairs. 4. Each pair of students read Surah al-Ikhlāṣ alternately into the cup, while the other listens. Lessons: 1. The faith of Islam is special. 2. It is special because it is pure. 3. Only the religion of Islam affirms the true meaning of the Oneness of Allah. 4. We need to memorize it and help others in memorizing it. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. Ask the students to recite (tasmīʿ) the surah. Summative: 2. What makes the creed of Islam so special? 3. Ans: Because we affirm the true meaning of tawḥīd.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 2: PURIFY YOUR FAITH Introduction: This activity focuses on the meaning of al-Ikhlāṣ, which is the “purity of faith”. Set Induction: The surah is named al-Ikhlāṣ. It means purity. But what does purity mean? Let us experiment to understand this! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Explain the characteristics of an acid. 2. Explain the meaning of al-Ikhlāṣ as purity. s Materials: 1. Old pennies 2. White vinegar 3. Salt 4. Bowl 5. Paper towels Procedure: 1. Give each student an old penny. 2. Have them place the pennies into a bowl. 3. Pour vinegar and sprinkle some salt into the bowl. 4. Wait for five minutes for the oxidation to happen. 5. Take the pennies out and wipe them off with a paper towel. 6. Observe the results! Lessons: 1. The original condition of the pennies is untarnished by rusts. 2. When we soak the pennies in the vinegar salt solution, it corrodes the rusts that stick to the pennies. 3. Similarly, our faith sometimes got tarnished with sins and misunderstandings. 4. Therefore, we must always purify our faith with good deeds and proper knowledge of tawḥīd. 5. To have a pure faith means to acknowledge Allah alone as God, and to affirm his incomparability with anything else. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. What are the characteristics of acid? 2. What do acids do? Summative: 1. What does al-Ikhlāṣ mean? 2. What does purity mean?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 3: WORD OF FAITH Introduction: This activity focuses on the word that represents the Muslim faith. Set Induction: Previously, we have learned about the purity of our faith. We say that the faith of Islam is pure. Why is that? Because it affirms tawḥīd. But what is tawḥīd? Let us explore this concept! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to explain the meaning of tawḥīd. Materials: 1. Image of hand on the art card 2. Colour pencil Procedure: 1. First, cut out the hand (prepared in Student Kit). 2. Then, decorate the hand with colourful designs. 3. Finally, fold all the fingers except for the index finger. 4. Hold that hand up high and say, “There is no God but Allah!” Lessons: 1. In verse 1, Allah pronounces His oneness. 2. This is the essence of tawḥīd. 3. Therefore, we must also affirm the same thing. Lesson Assessment: 1. What is the meaning of tawḥīd?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 4: MAGNETIC POWER Introduction: The three lessons after this focuses on exploration on the concept of al-Aḥad and al-Ṣamad. This activity explores the meaning of al-Samad which means “that which is depended on”. Set Induction: Previously, we have learned about the oneness of Allah and the purity of faith is affirming this oneness. How can one affirm this oneness? Let us find out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Give an example of affirming tawḥīd. 2. Relate acknowledging God’s independence as an affirmation of tawḥīd. Materials: 1. A transparent glass 2. Water 3. A few paper clips 4. Magnet Procedure: 1. Fill the glass with water. 2. Then put the paper clips into the glass. 3. Use the magnet to attract paper clips from outside of the glass. Lessons: 1. Magnets have a pulling effect. 2. It is not pulled by the metals. But all metals are pulled by it. 3. In other words, magnets are independent of other metals. However, other metals are dependent on it. 4. Similarly, we depend on Allah for all things – our existence, our sustenance, etc. 5. By acknowledging Allah’s ultimate independence, and acknowledging our dependence on Him, we affirm the proper tawḥīd. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. How does a magnet pull other metals? Summative: 2. What is one of the examples of affirming tawḥīd? Ans: affirmation of God’s independence (al-Ṣamad). 3. How is affirming God’s independence from His creations is an affirmation of tawḥīd? Ans: By affirming His independence, we affirm His comprehensive power and pre-eminence

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 5: BOX OF HOPE Introduction: This activity explores the meaning of dependence on God as a manifestation of al-Aḥad. Set Induction: Previously we have learned about one of the ways to affirm Allah as al-Aḥad, that is by affirming His dependence. How can we show to Allah our affirmation in practice? Let us find out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Explain the meaning of al-Ṣamad. 2. Explain how to practice with the name al-Ṣamad. Materials: 1. A box 2. Colourful papers 3. Colour pencils Procedure: 1. Ask the students to write their ambition on the colour paper and put it in the box. 2. Ask them to make duʿā to Allah for their ambition. Lessons: 1. In theory, we affirm the tawḥīd of Allah by affirming the Nam al-Ṣamad. 2. In practice, we affirm His name al-Ṣamad by making duʿā to Him. 3. We show to Allah that we really need Him. 4. Whoever refuses to pray is showing His istighnāʾ (arrogant independence). Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. What is the meaning of al-Ṣamad? Summative: 2. How can we affirm the Name of al-Ṣamad in practice?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 6: WATER GLASS TRICK Introduction: This activity explores the wonderous effects and benefits of depending on the al-Aḥad God. Set Induction: In the previous lesson, we have learned about the way to show our affirmation of the name al-Ṣamad. Why do we affirm this Name? What are the benefits that we will acquire? Let us experiment to find out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to explain the positive effects of depending on God. Materials: 1. An empty glass 2. A picture postcard 3. Water Procedure: 1. Fill up the glass with water right up to its brim. 2. Hold the glass over a sink and carefully place the glossy side of the postcard down on the rim of the glass. 3. Keep the palm of your hand placed on the card and turn the glass upside down. 4. Hold the glass with your other hand and let go of the hand holding the postcard. The postcard should be able to hold the water inside the glass and not fall. Lessons: 1. The glass represents God. 2. The water represents His Name al-Ṣamad. 3. The cardboard represents us depending on God. 4. Even when the glass is inverted, the cardboard does not fall. This is because of air pressure. 5. Similarly, when we depend on Allah, we will not fall. Because Allah never disappoints His servants. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. What makes the cardboard keep sticking? Summative: 2. What are the effects of depending on God?

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 7: ACTIVATE YOUR SENSES: PART 1 Introduction: The activities after this extend the themes of dependence. This activity explores the senses as one of the biggest blessings that Allah has given us as proof of our dependence on Him. Set Induction: Previously, we have learned about depending on Allah. Can we choose not to depend on Allah? Certainly no, because we are already depending on Him. How so? Let us figure it out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify the bodily faculties as proof of human dependence on Allah. Materials: Taste: 1. 3 cups of water 2. Sugar 3. Lime or lemon Touch: 4. 10 sen coin 5. 20 sen coin 6. 50 sen coin 7. A bag Procedure: Taste: 1. Put the sugar into one of the cups of water and squeeze a bit of lemon juice into another cup. 2. Ask them to try the drinks and guess what type of drinks are there. Touch: 1. Put all the money into the bag. 2. The teacher has to name a coin and ask the students to draw it from the bag without looking inside. Lessons: 1. Humans are utterly dependent on Allah even though we choose not to. 2. Because everything that we already have is actually under God’s kingdom. Whenever He chooses to retract it from us, He can. 3. Even our faculties – our mind, senses, emotions, etc. – depending on the permission of Allah to function properly. 4. Imagine if we didn’t have all five of our senses? We must thank Allah for being able to see, hear, touch, taste, and smell His beautiful creations every day. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. What are the faculties that Allah has equipped us with? Ans: The mind, the senses, the emotion, the instincts, the natural body mechanisms (e.g.: the blinking of the eyes), etc.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas Summative: 2. How do these faculties prove that we depend on Allah? Ans: We couldn’t produce our faculties. Allah created it for us. We couldn’t control the faculties on our own. Allah helps us to control it. Everything that we have, we get it from Allah. Therefore, we depend on Him.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 8: JAR OF BLESSINGS Introduction: This activity teaches the students to list down as many as possible all of the things that Allah has given them to further prove our ultimate dependence on Him. Set Induction: Previously, we have seen that even our body is a blessing that is given by Allah and, therefore, it depends on Him to function properly. What are the other things that we have as proof that we depend on Allah? Let us find out! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to list down as many blessings as possible as proofs of human utter dependence on Allah. Materials: 1. An empty jam or peanut butter jar. 2. Paintbrush & cups. 3. Hot glue. 4. Ribbons. 5. Glitters. 6. Paper. 7. Markers. 8. Ice-cream popsicles. Procedure: 1. Based on the students' creativity, decorate his/her jar with the materials provided. 2. Write down something that you are grateful for on an ice cream stick. Then, put it in the jar. 3. Add a popsicle with a blessing every day. 4. After one week, see how many blessings we have to be thankful for. Lessons: 1. Apart from the blessings that God has equipped on our bodies, we also depend on Him on many other things. 2. Our family, our food, shelter, clothes, education, happiness, and everything else. All of these depend on the permission and mercy of Allah. 3. By being thankful, we are acknowledging our dependence on Allah. 4. Whoever acknowledges this fact will surely be happy and have not a single worry. Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. What are other blessings that Allah has given us? Ans: depends on the students’ creativity. Summative: 2. How do all these prove our dependence on Allah? Ans: The fact that we get all these from Allah proves our dependence. If we don’t depend on Allah, surely, we can produce everything by ourselves.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 9: ACTIVATE YOUR SENSES: PART 2 Introduction: This activity explores a new theme, namely God’s incomparability, by comparing our faculties with God’s abilities. Set Induction: We have learned about our faculties. That we depend on the permission of Allah and the conditions that He has provided that enable our faculties to function properly. For example, for our eyes to see things, Allah has created light for us. What about Allah’s ability to see, hear, and others? Are they the same as ours? Let us explore! Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to: 1. Differentiate between human faculties and the undisputable abilities of Allah. 2. Relate our limitations as dependence on Allah. Materials: 1. Vision: Living things 2. Hearing: Any video 3. Smell: Any type of food Procedure: 1. Ask the students to find an insect, plant, or object. Ask them to describe the appearance of what they found. 2. Play the video or audio clip. Ask them to describe what they hear and guess what it is. 3. Cover the food so it cannot be seen. Ask the students to smell each plate of food and guess what it is. Lessons: 1. When we realize that everything that we have is dependent on Allah, surely what Allah has by His side and in His Essence depend on nothing else. 2. While our sight, for example, depends on the presence of light, Allah’s vision does not depend on any intermediary. 3. Again, while our qudrah is an extension of Allah’s will, His qudrah, however, is executable without depending on anyone’s permission. Lesson Assessment: Formative 1. What are the faculties that we have? Ans: refer to activity Day 1. 2. What are Allah’s abilities? Ans: qudrah (power), irādah (will), ʿilm (knowledge), ḥayy (life), samaʿ (hearing), baṣar (vision), kalām (speech). Summative: 3. What is the difference between our faculties and Allah’s faculties? Ans: see lessons.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 10: ASMĀʾ AL-ḤUSNĀ DOMINO Introduction: This activity focuses on the general themes of the surah. Set Induction: The oneness of Allah is not only reflected in the two Names al-Aḥad and al-Ṣamad, but also in all of His Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names. Let’s learn about all the Names of Allah Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to relate the general theme of surah al-Ikhlāṣ with the Beautiful Names of Allah. Materials: 1. Printed card in full colour 2. Scissors Procedure: 1. Print the handout from the portal. 2. Cut them into small cards. 3. Pair the names in the cards accordingly. Lessons: 1. In all the Beautiful Names of Allah, there are reflections of His ultimate perfection. 2. All of these perfections point to the same fact, that His perfection is shared by none. 3. And this proves His oneness and incomparability (lam yakun lahū kufuwan aḥad). Lesson Assessment: Formative: 1. Ask the students to pair the names. Summative: 2. How do the Names reflect the Oneness of Allah? Ans: from the lessons.

ILQ | Teachers’ Book Al-Ikhlas LESSON 11: ANAGRAM OF AL-IKHLĀṢ Introduction: This activity helps the students to familiarize with the Surah. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to familiarize themselves with the keywords of the surah. Materials: Keywords: 1. Al-Aḥad. 2. Al-Ṣamad. 3. Yalid. 4. Yūlad. 5. Kufuwan. Procedure: 1. Scramble the words into jumbled letters. 2. However, keep the beginning and the ending letters in place. 3. For example: kufuwan ������ kafwuun. 4. Ask the students to rearrange the words according to the correct arrangements. Lessons: This activity will sharpen the students’ memorisation of the surah, as well as enhance their understanding of the surah. LESSON 12: JOURNAL OF SURAH AL-IKHLĀṢ Set Induction: Let us write a journal to record everything that we have learned. Lesson Outcome: At the end of the lesson, students will be able to recall all the lesson of surah Al- Ikhlāṣ. Materials: 1. Papers 2. Colour pencils 3. Paper decorations Procedure: 1. Give the students a few pieces of paper printed with pictures of hands, money, fire, rope, people sharing food, people helping each other, etc, and let them paste them on plain paper. 2. They also can draw extra pictures by themselves of what they have been learning throughout the month about surah Al-Ikhlāṣ. 3. They may decorate their papers as they wish! The teacher will check their journal once a month. Lessons: Repetition and self-directed learning are part of effective revision. The student easily to revise what they learnt throughout the surah.