112:1-4
112:1
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
Cause of Revelation
Tirmidhi, Hakim, and other scholars have recorded that the pagans of Makkah asked the Messenger of Allah (S): “O Muhammad, tell us about the ancestry of your Lord.” In response, Allah revealed this Surah. Some reports suggest that this inquiry came from the Jews of Madinah. Due to these conflicting accounts, there is a divergence of opinion regarding whether this Surah is Makki or Madani. According to Sayyidna ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ud, Hasan Basri, ‘Ata’, ‘Ikrimah, and Jabir (RA), it is considered a Makki Surah, while others, such as Qatadah and Dahhak (RA), regard it as Madani. Sayyidna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas (RA) narrates both views, indicating that it could be either Makki or Madani. Tirmidhi also reports that Sayyidna Abu Hurairah (RA) shared a narration where the Messenger of Allah (S) gathered the people and recited Surah Al-Ikhlas, stating: “This is equal to a third of the Qur’an.” Additionally, in a longer hadith, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Nasa’i have recorded that the Prophet (S) said: “Anyone who recites Surah Al-Ikhlas and the mu’awwadhatain (the last two surahs of the Qur’an) in the morning and evening, they will suffice him against every affliction.” Another narration mentions, “They will protect him from all harm.”
Imam Ahmad recorded in his Musnad a narration from Sayyidna ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Amir (RA) that the Prophet (S) said: “I will show you three Surahs revealed in the Torah, Injil, Zabur, and the Qur’an. Do not sleep at night until you have recited them: Surah Al-Ikhlas and the mu’awwadhatain.” Sayyidna ‘Uqbah Ibn ‘Amir (RA) said, “Since I heard this, I never failed to recite them” (Ibn Kathir).
Oneness of Allah
Verse Qul (Say) — “The truth is: Allah is One” — directs the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S) to proclaim Allah’s message. The term “Allah” refers to the Necessary Being whose non-existence is inconceivable, encompassing all attributes of perfection and free from any imperfections. The epithets ahad and wahid, both translated as “One,” highlight that Allah is beyond composition, plurality, and resemblance. This directly counters inquiries about whether Allah is made of gold, silver, or pearls. This concise statement encapsulates the entire theological discussion on the Divine Being and His attributes.
Verse Samad (Allah is Besought of All)
The word samad carries several meanings, and Qur’anic scholars have offered various interpretations. According to Tabarani, a leading authority on Prophetic Traditions, these interpretations encompass all the attributes of Allah. The term originally refers to “the chief who has no superior and to whom people turn for the fulfillment of their desires and needs,” signifying that while all beings depend on Allah, He is independent and does not rely on anyone.
Verse He neither begot anyone, nor was begotten (112:3)
This verse addresses those who questioned Allah’s ancestry, asserting that Allah has no children and is not the child of anyone. Unlike creation, which comes into being through procreation, Allah’s existence is without beginning or end.
Verse And equal to Him has never been anyone (112:4)
The word kufuwan, meaning “similar” or “equal,” emphasizes that no one in the universe, past or future, is comparable to Allah in rank, attributes, or power.
Surah Al-Ikhlas: A Comprehensive Concept of Allah’s Oneness and Complete Rejection of Shirk
Various groups denied the Divine Oneness and introduced partners or rivals to Allah. Surah Al-Ikhlas negates all such false belief systems, providing a clear lesson on Divine Oneness. Among the unbelievers, several types can be identified: some deny the existence of God; others acknowledge His existence but deny His necessity; some recognize His Necessary Existence but deny His attributes of perfection; and others believe in God’s Necessary Existence and perfection but worship multiple deities, practicing polytheism. This Surah vehemently rejects all such views, emphasizing the Oneness of Allah. The Divine attribute As-Samad directly refutes any belief that other beings can fulfill human needs apart from Allah. A fifth group ascribes children to Allah, which is explicitly repudiated in the verse lam yalid (“He neither begot anyone, nor was begotten”). Through these verses, Allah clarifies the core beliefs of Islamic monotheism and negates all forms of shirk (polytheism). Allah, the Pure and Exalted, knows best!
112:2
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
112:3
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet (S) said, “Allah said: ’The son of Adam tells a lie against Me„ though he hasn’t the right
to do so. He abuses me though he hasn’t the right to do so. As for his telling a lie against Me, it is his
saying that I will not recreate him as I created him for the first time. In
fact, the first creation was not easier for Me than new creation. As for his abusing Me, it is his saying
that Allah has begotten children, while I am the One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures
need, I beget not, nor was I begotten, and there is none like unto Me.”
112:4
And there is none like unto Him.