Al-Ikhlas is the 112th chapter or surah of the blessed Quran. Positioned in juz number 30, Al-Ikhlas has a total of 4 verses and is the third shortest surah in the Quran. The surah was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during the early stage of his residence in Mecca when detailed verses that addressed the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) had not yet been revealed. The surah is a Makki/Meccan surah and deals with the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Surah Al-Ikhlas is one of the shortest surahs in the Quran. It was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during the early stage of his residence in Mecca, when detailed verses that addressed the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) had not yet been revealed. The surah deals with the attributes of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Al-Ikhlas is also the title of the contents of its surah as it deals with the significant concept of Tawheed (oneness of Allah). The surahs in the Quran generally contain words after which they are titled. However, in Surah Al-Ikhlas, the word Ikhlas has not been mentioned. The name is given to the surah due to its theme and subject matter. Al-Ikhlas means "sincerity." However, it is also known as the declaration of the oneness of God.
١١٢ - ٱلْإِخْلَاص
112 - Al-Ikhlas
English
Ahmed Ali
3
Tawheed, or oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), is one of the core beliefs of Islam. Although the oneness of God has been acknowledged and preached in other religions, such as Judaism and Christianity, over time, some of their followers came to associate a son with God (At-Tawbah 9:30). Even the pagans of Mecca also believed in the One God but had associated different idols as partners in Godhood. Some people also imagined God in human form. According to narrations mentioned by commentators, the pagans of Mecca, and on some accounts Jews and Christians, raised different questions about Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Some of the questions reported included:
Commentators such as Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Ma’ariful Qur’an) and Maulana Maududi mention several narrations about such questions. Some of these narrations are weak; for example, the narration in which the idolaters asked about Allah’s lineage is graded da’if by Darussalam (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3364). It is reported that Surah Al-Ikhlas was sent down to address such questions. Maududi explains that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas whenever anyone raised questions about the form, appearance, lineage, and other such things about Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Surah Al-Ikhlas is generally classified as a Makki Surah, though some scholars consider it Madani (Ma’ariful Qur’an).
Surah Al-Ikhlas is the 112th Surah of the Quran, placed in the 30th Juz (Para). It comes after Surah Al-Masad and before Surah Al-Falaq. It is the 22nd Surah in the order of revelation.
Surah Al-Ikhlas has 4 verses.
Surah Al-Ikhlas has 1 Ruku (section).
Surah Al-Ikhlas deals with the major concept of monotheism. Every type of idolatry and polytheism has been deemed forbidden as they do not have any place in Islam. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has been referred to as "Ahad" in the surah, which translates to "the One," meaning there is only one God (Allah), and it is forbidden to associate any partners with Him. The attributes of Allah's oneness have been emphasized heavily. Moreover, it has also been ordered that there is no God one must worship but Allah.
Another one of Allah's (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) flawless qualities has been mentioned in Surah Al-Ikhlas – As-Samad. As-Samad is also one of Allah's 99 names. As-Samad translates to "the Eternal," "the Absolute," and "the Satisfier of Needs." Allah being As-Samad means that it is He who is eternal and the most supreme; He does not depend on anyone, nor does He need anyone. Instead, it is mankind that needs Allah. It also highlights the fact that it is only Allah who has the power to satisfy our wants and needs. He says to be, and it is (Ya-Sin 36:82)!
“Truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour!” – Prophet Sulaiman (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), An-Naml 27:40
Surah Al-Ikhlas also highlights how Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is absolutely eternal. He has no lineage: “Lam yalid walam yulad”; neither was He born, nor does He have any offspring. Allah is the creator of all things, and the entire universe was created by Allah alone. Therefore, practicing polytheism and associating any partners with Allah is absolutely forbidden and pointless. The surah also emphasizes the fact that there is no one like Allah: “Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad.” No one in the universe or any of His creations is similar to Allah or the powers He possesses. Not in His attributes, actions, or names. Allah is the most powerful, and He is One.
Surah Al-Ikhlas is a significant surah that has been discussed in several Ahadith. Each hadith emphasizes the importance and virtue of this short surah.
It is also encouraged to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas regularly and reflect upon the significant message it carries.
The correct recitation of the Quran as per Tajweed is extremely important and sensitive because these are the words of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), which have to be recited exactly the same way, as was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Any deviation in pronouncing a word may lead to an entirely different meaning. That's why correctly reciting the Quran, including Surah Al-Ikhlas, is so important, so that the message of the Quran can be understood clearly.
Perfection in reading the Quran can generally be attained through proper lessons with a qualified Quran (Tajweed) teacher. However, a more practical method of learning correct recitation of the Quran is to listen to the recitation by a renowned Qari. Besides that, sometimes someone may also like to just listen to the Quran, instead of reading it.
The mobile app "Muslim and Quran" makes this easy. All the Surahs of the Quran are available on the app, as recited by authentic and renowned Qaris. You only need to download the Muslim and Quran mobile application, select the desired Surah and your preferred Qari, and listen to learn the correct recitation of the Quran.
You can download our mobile app for both Android and iOS by clicking the links given below:
The Muslim and Quran mobile app provides the facility to read the Quran online. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah Al-Ikhlas, in PDF. You can download Surah Al-Ikhlas in PDF from this page by following these simple steps:
Al-Ikhlas translates to "sincerity". In the context of Surah Al-Ikhlas, this refers to believing in the Oneness or Uniqueness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
It is equal to one-third of the Quran, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) loves those who love it, and reciting it is part of several Sunnah practices, as explained in the virtues section above.
Surah Al-Ikhlas can be recited at any time. The Sunnah times include before sleeping, in the two Sunnah rak’ahs before Fajr, and three times each morning and evening.
Yes. Reciting it every morning and evening is a Sunnah, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said that this would suffice for every purpose.
The language of the Quran is Arabic, but it does not mean that it was sent down only for Arabic-speaking people. The Quran, including Surah Al-Ikhlas, is for the benefit and guidance of all mankind. Hence, anyone can recite it, and non-Arabic speakers can understand its message by reading a translation.