al-Wāḥid

The One

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 14:48.

Heard together with: al-Wāḥid / al-Aḥad; al-Wāḥid al-Qahhār

Start with what we know

Then take away everything it needs. What is left is not a bigger version of us. It is the Name.

Episode 1

Reverse ladder: everything we call 'one' is one of many (a person, a species, a planet).

But: Each is one of a kind among others.

Episode 2

Every 'unique' creature has relatives; one tree of life.

Episode 3

Physics finds the same laws everywhere: atoms in distant galaxies show the same spectral lines as in the lab.

But: Unity of law is a unity of pattern, not of God.

Episode 4

Take away being one of a set, rivals, a count of 'two'.

Not the only one left, but One with no second at all.

From the tradition: Shema (Deut 6:4); Maimonides' Second Principle; Ashʿarī 'one in essence, attributes and acts'.

On screen

In Highlander, 'only one' is the last survivor of a contest. al-Wāḥid never had a rival to outlast.

In scripture: Q 13:16; 39:4; 40:16; Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Deut 6:4; Mark 12:29. Strong.
In the universe: Spectroscopy of distant galaxies (NASA/ESA).
In nature: Murmurations: many birds, one shape (wonder only).
In people: Shema, Tawhid, Creed: three peoples saying 'one'.
In science: Universality of physical law; spectral lines.

Living it

Unity: one heart, one direction (qibla).

Its kind

Beyond: majesty: what He is not, and how far beyond.

In the Qur'an: 13:16; 14:48; 39:4

Sources for this page

api.quran.com; sefaria