Occasion of Revelation (Hasan — Tirmidhi & Tabarani):
The polytheists — or some People of the Book — asked the Prophet ﷺ: "Describe your Lord to us. Is He made of gold or silver? What is His lineage?" Surah Al-Ikhlas was revealed as a complete answer. One narration reads: "Give us His genealogy."
Content & Significance:
- "Say: He is Allah, the One (Ahad)" — Ahad is unique to Allah; stronger than "one" in negating any likeness
- "Allah, the Eternally Sufficient (As-Samad)" — The Master sought in all needs, who neither eats nor drinks
- "He neither begot nor was begotten" — Refuting Christians (Jesus son of God) and polytheists (angels as daughters of God)
- "Nor is there any equivalent to Him" — Total negation of any equal or likeness
Virtue: "It equals one-third of the Quran" (Bukhari & Muslim) — because it encompasses the topic of divine attributes.
Question: What does "As-Samad" mean in the verse "Allah, As-Samad"?
Answer: The Eternal Master sought for all needs, who has no hollow (does not eat, drink, or need anything)