Surah Al-Ikhlaas is one of the chapters with multiple names. Aj-Jumal, in his commentary, mentioned twenty different names for it. Some of these names include Surah At-Tafrid (The Surah of Uniqueness), At-Tajrid (The Surah of Absolute Purity), At-Tawhid (The Surah of Monotheism), An-Najah (The Surah of Salvation), Al-Wilayah (The Surah of Divine Authority), Al-Ma'rifah (The Surah of Knowledge), As-Samad (The Surah of Absolute Sufficiency), Al-Asas (The Surah of the Foundation), Al-Mani'ah (The Surah of Protection), and Al-Baraa'ah (The Surah of Freedom from Deficiency and Need).
Several Ahaadith mention its virtues, among them the narration recorded by Al-Imam Al-Bukhari from Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri, who reported that a man heard another man reciting this surah repeatedly. The next morning, he mentioned this to the Prophet Peace Upon him, who responded:
"By the One in whose hand is my soul, it is equal to one-third of the Qur'an." (والذي نفسي بيده إنها لتعدل ثلث القرآن).
Some scholars explained this hadith by stating that the Qur'an was revealed in three major themes:
One-third consists of rulings (Ahkaam),
One-third consists of promises and warnings (Wa'd wa Wa'id),
One-third consists of the Names and Attributes of Allah.
Since Surah Al-Ikhlaas exclusively focuses on the Names and Attributes of Allah, it is said to represent one-third of the Qur'an.
As for the reason for its revelation, several reports mention that the polytheists asked the Prophet Peace Upon him: "O Muhammad, describe your Lord to us!" In response, Allah revealed this noble surah.
Most scholars agree that it was the 22nd surah revealed. Some scholars consider it Madani, revealed in Madinah, but the stronger opinion is that it is Makki, revealed in Makkah because it establishes the essence of Tawhid, a common theme in Makkan suwahs.
Its number of verses differs based on the script:
Five verses in the Hijazi and Shami Mushaf (manuscripts from Makkah, Madinah, and Syria).
Four verses in the Kufan and Basran Mushaf (manuscripts from Kufa and Basra).
The surah begins with the command:
"Say: He is Allah, the One." (قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ)
The imperative verb "Say" (قُلْ) signifies the importance of what follows. It also serves to teach the Prophet Peace Upon him how to respond to the disbelievers who asked about the nature of Allah.
"Huwa" (هُوَ) is a pronoun of the subject (Dameer As-Shaa'n), introducing the sentence to emphasize the significance of the statement that follows.
"Ahad" (أَحَدٌ) means absolutely One and Unique in His Essence, Attributes, and Actions.
Allah is:
Free from composition or being made of multiple parts,
Not formed from any material substance, Beyond physicality, space, or resemblance to creation.
The use of the pronoun "Huwa" (هُوَ) before the statement adds grandeur to its meaning. It also increases certainty and emphasis, as the pronoun refers to something unknown, causing the listener to anticipate clarification. Once the statement follows, its impact becomes stronger and more firmly established in the heart.
Why "Ahad" is Indefinite (Nakirah) Instead of Definite (Ma'rifah)?
The word "Ahad" (أَحَدٌ) is indefinite because the goal of this verse is to affirm that Allah is absolutely One in His Essence, Attributes, and Actions.
If the verse had said "Allah is the One" (اللَّهُ الْأَحَدُ) in a definite form, it would have implied exclusivity, meaning that no one else is one, but that is not the primary point here. Rather, the verse asserts that Allah alone possesses the true meaning of absolute Oneness.
This verse refutes the beliefs of polytheists and others who claim that Allah:
Is composed of material or immaterial, components,
Has partners or associates in His dominion
Thus, Surah Al-Ikhlaas is a profound declaration of pure monotheism, rejecting all forms of polytheism and false conceptions about Allah.
Abdulwahab Ibn Yusuf Isah
