Basic
Al-Ikhlas
Surah: Al-Ikhlas (1)
Say: He is Allah, One — Why Does It Equal a Third of the Quran?
قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
— الإخلاص الآية 1
The complete surah: "Say: He is Allah, One (1) Allah, the Eternal Refuge (2) He neither begets nor is born (3) nor is there to Him any equivalent"
Reflection:
The Prophet said: "Say: He is Allah, One equals a third of the Quran." [Bukhari] Why?
The Quran across three themes:
The surah's verses and divine names:
Reflection:
The Prophet said: "Say: He is Allah, One equals a third of the Quran." [Bukhari] Why?
The Quran across three themes:
- Laws and legislation — one third
- Stories and admonitions — one third
- Divine unity, names and attributes — one third
The surah's verses and divine names:
- "Allah, One": Oneness of essence — no partner, no equal
- "Al-Samad": The one sought in all needs who needs no one
- "He neither begets nor is born": Negating birth from every direction — a response to Christians, Jews, and polytheists
- "Nor is there any equivalent": No match or likeness exists
Source: Bukhari (5013); Ibn Kathir (8/519); Al-Sadi, Taysir Al-Karim
Test Yourself
Why did the Prophet say that Surah Al-Ikhlas equals a third of the Quran?
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