Name of the Surah
This surah is called Al-Ikhlas, sincerity, because it speaks about sincerity regarding worshipping Allah, Exalted be He. It was revealed in Makkah. It contains four ayat.
Relationship between Surah Al-Ikhlas and Al-Kafirun
Surah Al-Kafirun disapproves of worshipping any god besides Allah and declares that there is no meeting point between worshipping Allah alone and worshipping false gods. Surah Al-Ikhlas confirms that Allah alone deserves sincere worship.
Most Important Topics Discussed in Surah Al-Ikhlas
Surah Al-Ikhlas speaks about the foundation of the Islamic creed, namely, Oneness of Allah, Exalted He. It mentions that Allah alone has all attributes of perfection, which necessitates worshipping Him alone. By confirming Allah’s Oneness, surah Al-Ikhlas refutes the claims of those who worship other gods with Him.
Many narrations mention the virtue of reciting surah Al-Ikhlas because it summarizes all the principles of the Islamic belief that are mentioned in the Quran, namely, Allah’s Oneness, and establishing the rules of the Islamic Shariah.
It is said that three kinds of texts are found in the Quran, namely, the rules, the promise of reward and the warning of punishment, and the names and attributes of Allah. Surah Al-Ikhlas contains all these kinds of texts.
Abu Sa’id, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] said to his companions, ‘ Is any of you unable to recite a third of the Quran in a night?’ They felt that was difficult for them to do so. Thus, they said, ‘Is any of us able to do so, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said, ‘Surah Al-Ikhlas is equal to a third of the Quran.’
It was narrated that the disbelievers asked Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] about the lineage of Allah, Exalted be He. Thus, Allah revealed surah Al-Ikhlas to answer their question. It was also narrated that the Jews said to Messenger Muhammad, ‘Those are the creatures that Allah created. Then, who created Allah?’ Therefore, Allah revealed surah Al-Ikhlas to answer their question.
English Translation of Surah Al-Ikhlas
Revealed in Makkah, Contains four Ayah
Bism-Allah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
In the Name of Allah, the Giver of Mercy, the Most Merciful
112:1 Say, ‘He is Allah, One.
112:2 Allah, the Self-Sufficient,
112:3 He begets not, nor was He begotten,
112:4 and there is none like Him.’
Tafsir
112:1 Say, ‘He is Allah, One.
Surah Al-Ikhlas begins with the command, ‘say’ to emphasize the importance of the subject that will be mentioned. In the Arabic language, the one ‘Ahad’means the one who is single in his self, attributes, names, deeds, and all his affairs. Allah has no equal or likeness in His self, attributes, names, deeds, and all His affairs.
O noble Messenger Muhammad, say to those who have asked you about the attributes and lineage of your Lord, ‘Allah is One. He is One in His self, names, and attributes. He has no partner, no equal, and no likeness. Sincere worship is due to Allah alone.’
112:2 Allah, the Self-Sufficient,
Allah, the Creator of the universe and that are all in it, is Self-Sufficient. He does not need anyone, while all created beings need Him. They need His help, support, and guidance. The creatures cannot manage their affairs without Allah’s help, support, and guidance, while He is in no need of them. Moreover, Allah is the One, who is perfect in all His names and attributes.
112:3 He begets not, nor was He begotten,
Allah, Exalted be He, does not beget. He has no wife nor children. He has not begotten. He has no father nor mother.
The disbelievers claim that the angels are Allah’s daughters, the Jews say that Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say that Prophet Jesus is the son of Allah. The ayah refutes their claims and it confirms that Allah does not beget and He has not begotten.
112:4 and there is none like Him.’
There is none like or equal to Allah, and there is no partner to Allah in His kingdom. This negates the belief of the disbelievers, who think that there are partners and equals to Allah. They make their false gods partners and equals to Allah, which is a sheer lie against Allah, Exalted He.
Abdul Allah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated that Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] said, ‘Allah said, ‘The son of Adam tells a lie against Me, and he has no right to do so. And he abuses Me, and he has no right to do so. As for telling a lie against Me, he claims that I cannot recreate him as I created him the first time, and as for abusing Me, he says that I have offspring. Exalted be I! I am far from having a wife or a son.’
In sum, surah Al-Ikhlas negates all types of beliefs that claim that there are gods besides Allah. It confirms that Allah is Oneness, it negates that Allah has offspring, and it negates that Allah has partners or equals. It refutes the claims of the disbelievers, who believe that there are other gods besides Allah, Exalted be He.
Learned Lessons from Surah Al-Ikhlas
• Surah Al-Ikhlas confirms that Allah is One and it negates that Allah has offspring, equals, or partners.
• Allah is Self-Sufficient. He does not need any of the creatures, while all created beings need Him and cannot do without His help, support, and guidance.
• Allah is perfect in His self, names, and attributes.
• Surah Al-Ikhlas negates the claims of the disbelievers, who believe that there are other gods besides Allah.
The Noble Quran English Translation of Surah Al-Ikhlas
Tafsir Ibn Kathir English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Ikhlas
The Noble Quran English Translation and Tafsir of Surah Al-Ma’un
The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl English Translation and Tafsir
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