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Qur'an is the fountainhead of Islam. It comprises of 114 chapters, called Surahs, dealing with varying subjects for the guidance of the mankind. However, if there is one single chapter or surah which sums up the oneness of Allah, it is Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ, Arabic: ٱلإخْلَاص, (also known as the Declaration of God's Unity and al-Tawhid (Arabic: التوحيد, "Monotheism")) which is based on the very basic theme of Islam which revolves around the Oneness of Allah. Although the stress on Oneness of Allah this has been highlighted at many a place in the Qur'an, yet Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ, comprising a mere four verses, clearly defines the concept of monotheism, for in Islam there being none equal or comparable to Allah.
The English translation of the is as follows, which clearly pronounces Oneness of Allah and that Allah neither begets nor is born, nor there is none who can call him equal to Allah:
1 Say, "He is Allah, [who is] One,2 Allah, the Eternal Refuge.3 He neither begets nor is born,4 Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Explaining the Surah, renowned Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir (an Arab Islamic exegete born in the 14th century, historian and scholar and expert on tafsir, tarikh and fiqh, who is considered a leading authority on Sunni Islam) says: "When the Jews said, `We worship Uzayr, the son of Allah', and the Christians said, `We worship the Messiah (Isa), the son of Allah', and the Zoroastrians said, `We worship the sun and the moon', and the idolaters said, `We worship idols'. 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."
Owing to its importance, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has also is quoted to have laid emphasis on the recitation of this surah and immense reward attached to it. This Hadith is mentioned in Sahi al-Bukhārī (Book 66 - Virtues of the Qur'an / كتاب فضائل القرآن / Chapter 13: The superiority of Qul-Huwa Allahu Ahad (Surat Al-Ikhlas) (No.112) / باب فَضْلِ قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ) as Hadith 5013, given herein under:
Narrated by Abu Said Al-Khudri:
A man heard another man reciting (Surat-Al-Ikhlas) 'Say He is Allah, (the) One.' (112. 1) repeatedly. The next morning he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and informed him about it as if he thought that it was not enough to recite. On that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, this Surah is equal to one-third of the Qur'an!"
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي صَعْصَعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَمِعَ رَجُلاً، يَقْرَأُ {قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ} يُرَدِّدُهَا فَلَمَّا أَصْبَحَ جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ وَكَأَنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَتَقَالُّهَا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنَّهَا لَتَعْدِلُ ثُلُثَ الْقُرْآنِ ".
Many scholars have narrated many benefits of reciting Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ. it is believed to be the means of earning Allah's love and attaining paradise. It also banishes poverty and increases sustenance. In addition, the constant recitation of this Surah makes a person worthy of having the archangel Jibraeel participate in his/her funeral prayer.
However, the supreme reason of recitation of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ remains unflinching resolve of a believer that there is no god but Allah, the Al-Ahad (الاحد)-The One, The Only One, and Al-Wahid (ٱلْوَاحِدُ)-The Manifestation of Unity. Anyone who believes in Oneness of Allah is the most blessed of the entire mankind. And Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ cements one's affirmation to Oneness of Allah. That is why the reward of reciting Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ is equated to recitation of one third of Qur'an. Let us take advantage of the importance of this surah and recite it much too often to bag the reward equivalent to recitation of 1/3rd of the Qur'an.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Calligraphy: Shahid Rana | Source of Hadith | Related References: | 1 | 2 |
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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2 comments:
Surah Akhlas is spirit of each and every Salah and is read as it is equal to 1/3 of Quran (Hadith 5013).Para 01 of the Articles is suffice for Concerned (Rasikhoon who are firm in knowledge) and details to be read with references are for new comers to understand the importance of Surah Akhlas. Surah Akhlas is also said Qul Sharif as there are total 04 Qul in Quran.
May Allah grant us power to understand the Surah Akhlas.
Jazak Allah.
Thank you for your elaboration that adds to substance of my post.
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