SURAH IKHLAS Chapter: 112

This blog is part of series of blogs based on my research and compilation of Surahs of Quran, in an effort to understand these surah, in an easy way. Today's effort is on SURAH IKHLAS Chapter: 112, hope going through it will be a learning journey for all of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission or error on mine in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).

Surah Al Ikhlas is 112 chapter (Surah) of Holy Quran, it has four (4) Ayats (verses), it is a Makki Surah and was revealed in the earliest period of Makkah, (609 CE) sometimes before Miraj, when detailed verses of Quran dealing with the essence and attributes of Allah Almighty had not been revealed. All of these verses together support Shahada, one of the pillars of Islam, which emphasizes that there is no true deity besides Allah. Its first Ayat proclaims the oneness of Allah. The second Ayat declares that Allah is As-Samad, which means he has all the characteristics of perfection. This Ayat proclaims that he is the one who everybody depends on, but he doesn’t depend on anyone. It also indicates that he is unlike his creation. The Surah’s third Ayat states that neither was he born nor did he ever give birth. And, the fourth and final Ayat declares that he is beyond comparison and that no one is equal to him.

Introduction:

Surah Al-Ikhlas is one of the prominent surah that teach us about the oneness of Allah, the rejection of polytheism, and the belief that Allah is One without any partners. This surah reminds us that Allah has no equal, no beginning, and no end. He is the One and Only who deserves pure worship.

Al-Ikhlāṣ (Arabic: الْإِخْلَاص, "Sincerity"), also known as the Declaration of God's Unity and al-Tawhid (Arabic: التوحيد, "Monotheism"), IKHLAS—sincerity in Arabic—is the name conventionally given to the 112th surah of the Qurʾan. Its verses proclaim God's radical oneness (tawhid), thereby establishing the axis upon which religious thought in Islam turns. Ikhlās is the core of Tawḥīd. Tawḥīd is the most essential element in being a Muslim. Without testifying that that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allāh and doing it purely for His Sake and His Sake alone there is a high chance that one could fall into Shirk whether minor or major, knowingly or unknowingly

Surah Al-Ikhlas, also known as "Tauhid" (meaning "monotheism" or "oneness of God"), was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in order to emphasize the concept of the oneness of God and to reject the polytheistic beliefs that were prevalent at the time in Arabia. It is said to have been revealed during the Quraysh Conflict with Muhammad in answer to a challenge over the distinguishing attributes of God, Muhammad invited them to worship.

Al-Ikhlas is not merely the name of this surah but also the title of its contents, for it deals exclusively with Tawhid. The other surahs of the Quran generally have been designated after a word occurring in them, but in this surah the word Ikhlas has occurred nowhere. It has been given this name in view of its meaning and subject matter. The subject of whether this Surah was revealed in Medina or Makkah is a matter of much debate. It is more probable that it was revealed in Makkah.

The message of Surah Al-Ikhlas:

Allah revealed to His Messenger, say: "He is Allah, One. He is the One, the Singular, who has no peer, no assistant, no rival, no equal and none comparable to Him. The word (Al-Ahad) cannot be used for anyone in affirmation except for Allah within the Islamic Tradition.

Power of Surah Ikhlas:

Ø  Reciting Surat Al-Ikhlas regularly helps deepen the understanding and belief in the Oneness of Allah, which is a cornerstone of Islamic faith. Purification of faith and sincerity: Surat Al-Ikhlas also emphasizes the purity and sincerity of faith.

Ø  It was narrated by Anas that the Holy Prophet (s) said: "whoever reads Recites Surah Ikhlas 100,00 times would have bought himself from Allah, and a caller from Allah will announce in heaven and on earth: 'verily, so-and-so has been set free by Allah, so whoever owes him anything, let him claim it from Allah.

Ø  Ramadan tip:  If you read Surah IKhlas (Kul huwallahu ahad) 3 times, it's the same reward as finishing the Quran. In Ramadan this is multiplied by 70. So let's say you read it 3 times after every prayer. That's the same reward as reading the Quran 350 times in one day! As Surah Al-Ikhlas equals a third of the Qur'an

Ø  Whoever recites surah Ikhlas ten times will receive a palace in Jannah in return, and who recites it twenty times will receive two palaces therein. Likewise, whoever recites this surah thirty times will get three palaces in Jannah.

Ø  It is believed that Allah will gather all the good of this world and the next one for those who recite this Surah. It is also believed that all the sins of those who don’t abandon the recitation of this Surah will be forgiven by Allah along with the sins of his/her parents and children.

Ø  Reciting Surah Al Ikhlas is believed to be the means of earning Allah’s love and attaining paradise. It also banishes poverty and increases sustenance.

Ø  The constant recitation of this Surah makes a person worthy of having the archangel Jibreel participate in his/her funeral prayer.

Surah Ikhlas Importance in the light of Hadiths:

According to hadiths, this surah is an especially important and honored part of the Quran:

Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri: A man heard another man reciting (in the prayers): 'Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allah, the One." (112.1) And he recited it repeatedly. When it was morning, he went to the Prophet and informed him about that as if he considered that the recitation of that Surah by itself was not enough. Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, it is equal to one-third of the Quran.

Narrated by Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that Humayd ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf had told him that Surat al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) was equal to a third of the Qur'an, and that Surat al-Mulk (Surah 67) pleaded for its owner

Narrated by 'Aisha: The Prophet sent (an army unit) under the command of a man who used to lead his companions in the prayers and would finish his recitation with (the Surah 112): 'Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allah, the One." ' (112.1) When they returned (from the battle), they mentioned that to the Prophet. He said (to them), "Ask him why he does so." They asked him and he said, "I do so because it mentions the qualities of the Beneficent and I love to recite it (in my prayer)." The Prophet; said (to them), "Tell him that Allah loves him"

Imam Malik ibn Anas recorded from Ubayd bin Hunayn that he heard Abu Hurayrah saying, "I went out with the Prophet and he heard a man reciting `Say: He is Allah, the One.' So the Messenger of Allah said, (It is obligatory). I asked, `What is obligatory' He replied, "Paradise."

Narrated by Abu Said, the Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1 to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an."

Al-Bukhari reported from Amrah bint Abdur-Rahman, who used to stay in the apartment of Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, that Aisha said, "The Prophet sent a man as the commander of a war expedition and he used to lead his companions in prayer with recitation (of the Quran). And he would complete his recitation with the recitation of `Say: He is Allah, One.' So when they returned they mentioned that to the Prophet and he said, ask him why does he do that? So they asked him and he said, "Because it is the description of Ar-Rahman and I love to recite it. So the Prophet said, "Inform him that Allah the Highest loves him." This is how Al-Bukhari recorded this hadith in his book of tawhid. Muslim and an-Nisai also recorded it.

An authentic Hadith says 'Say [recite] Surat al-Ikhlas and al-Muawwidhatayn (Surat al-Falaq and Surat al-Naas) three times in the morning and the evening; they will suffice you from everything.' [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi. And Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani authenticated it:

Narrated by Aisha: "Whenever the Prophet went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Naas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times.

Conclusion:

Considering this verse, the Holy Essence of Allah is free from all qualities or obstacles that creatures have, and free from all defects and limitations. This is 'Unity of Attributes' that corresponds with 'Unity of Number'. Therefore, He is One in Essence, in attributes, and in deeds; and He is unique in every aspect. Allah's oneness is affirmed, and all types of idolatry and polytheism are ruled out by the surah al Ikhlas. Surah Al Ikhlas, the cornerstone of Islam, is based on total trust in Allah's oneness and thus strengthens its significance. Allah, according to Islam, is the only Allah

May Allah bless us and give power to recite this Surah as much as possible and may we be rewarded with all the highlighted and hidden benefits of it. (Aameen Summa Aameen)

 

Researched & Compiled by:

Ovais Asad Khan