kh-l-s

Description

The Arabic root خلص (kh-l-s) carries the core meaning of purity, sincerity, and exclusivity, referring to something that is unmixed, refined, or devoted solely to one purpose or entity. In the Quranic context, this root is most significant in describing sincere devotion to God alone (ikhlas), free from hypocrisy, polytheism, or ulterior motives, as well as God's act of choosing or selecting certain individuals for special purposes. The concept emphasizes both the human obligation to worship God with pure intention and God's sovereign choice in elevating prophets and righteous servants to distinguished stations.