View source for Al-Ikhlas

{{Short description|112th chapter of the Quran}}
{{infobox surah
| number         = 112
| number-3       = 112
| name           = {{transliteration|ALA|Al-Ikhlāṣ|italic=no}}
| name-ar        = ٱلإخْلَاص
| name-en        = Sincerity
| prev_sura      = Quran 111
| next_sura      = Quran 113
| classification = Muslim
| othernames-ar  = {{transliteration|ALA|At-Tawḥīd|italic=no}}
| othernames     = Absoluteness, The Unity, Oneness of God, Sincere Religion, The Declaration of [God's] Perfection
| juz            = 30
| verses         = 4
| words          = 15
| letters        = 47
| muqattaat      = <!-- only if applicable -->
| sajdahs        = <!-- only if applicable -->
| audio          = 112.AlIkhlas-MisharyRashedAlafasy.ogg
}}'''Al-Ikhlāṣ''' ({{langx|ar|الْإِخْلَاص}}, "Sincerity"), also known as the '''Declaration of God's Unity'''<ref>In [[George Sale's translation]]</ref> and '''al-[[Tawhid]]''' ({{langx|ar| التوحيد}}, "Monotheism"),<ref>The [[1698 Maracci Quran]] notes some chapters have two or more titles, occasioned by the existence of different copies in the Arabic.([[George Sale]] [[Preliminary discourse 3]])</ref> is the [[List of chapters in the Quran|112th chapter]] (''[[sūrah]]'') of the [[Quran]].
According to [[George Sale]], this chapter is held in particular veneration by [[Muslims]], and declared, by [[Islamic culture|Islamic tradition]], to be equal in value to a third part of the whole Quran.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2900 - Chapters on The Virtues of the Qur'an - كتاب ثواب القرآن عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) |url=https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2900 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=sunnah.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jami at Tirmidhi 2900 - English & Urdu, Virtues Of Quran Hadith |url=https://hamariweb.com/islam/hadith/jami-at-tirmidhi-2900 |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=Hamariweb.com Islam |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=IslamicFinder |title=Hadith 2900 of chapters on the virtues of the qur'an by jami al tirmizi |url=https://www.islamicfinder.org/hadith/tirmidhi/virtues-of-the-quran/2900/ |access-date=2023-08-25 |website=IslamicFinder |language=en}}</ref> It is said to have been revealed during the [[Quraysh#Conflict with Muhammad|Quraysh Conflict with Muhammad]] in answer to a challenge over the distinguishing attributes of God, Muhammad invited them to worship.<ref>[[George Sale]]'s footnotes to [[Quran 113]], [[AlKoran]]</ref>

Al-Ikhlas is not merely the name of this surah but also the title of its contents, for it deals exclusively with [[Tawhid]]. The other surahs of the Quran generally have been designated after a word occurring in them, but in this surah the word Ikhlas has occurred nowhere. It has been given this name in view of its meaning and subject matter.

==Text and meaning==
{{Listen
|filename=Chapter 112, Al-Ikhlas (Mujawwad) - Recitation of the Holy Qur'an.mp3
|title=''Al-Ikhlas''
|pos=right
|description= Recitation of Al-Ikhlas in [[mujawwad]].
|format=[[Mp3]]
}}
[[File:Surat Al-Ikhlas - Magharibi script.jpg|thumb|Al-Ikhlas in Maghribi script, 18th Century.]]

===Text and transliteration===
*[[Hafs]] from [[Aasim ibn Abi al-Najud]]
{{Script/Arabic|'''بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ'''}}
<br />
{{Transliteration|ar|bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm(i)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ''' ۝١}}
<br />
¹ {{Transliteration|ar|qul huwa llāhu aḥad(un)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ''' ۝٢}}
<br />
² {{Transliteration|ar|allāhu ṣ-ṣamad(u)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ''' ۝٣}}
<br />
³ {{Transliteration|ar|lam yalid wa-lam yūlad}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌۢ''' ۝٤}}
<br />
⁴ {{Transliteration|ar|wa-lam yaku l-lahū kufuwan aḥad(um)}}
<br />
<hr />
*[[Warsh]] from [[Nafi‘ al-Madani]]
{{Script/Arabic|'''بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ'''}}
<br />
{{Transliteration|ar|bi-smi llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm(i)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ''' ۝١}}
<br />
¹ {{Transliteration|ar|qul huwa llāhu aḥad(un)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ''' ۝٢}}
<br />
² {{Transliteration|ar|allāhu ṣ-ṣamad(u)}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ''' ۝٣}}
<br />
³ {{Transliteration|ar|lam yalid wa-lam yūlad}}
<br />
{{Script/Arabic|'''وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُ{{color|magenta|ؤًا اَ}}حَدٌۢ''' ۝٤}}
<br />
⁴ {{Transliteration|ar|wa-lam yaku l-lahū kufu{{color|magenta|ʾan a}}ḥad(um)}}

===Translations===
<br />
{{Verse||1|green}}
"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One,
<br />
{{Verse||2|green}}
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
<br />
{{Verse||3|green}}
He neither begets nor is born,
<br />
{{Verse||4|green}}
Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
<br />
{{right|Translation: ''[[Saheeh International]]'', 1997.}}
<hr />
<br />
{{Verse||1|blue}}
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;
<br />
{{Verse||2|blue}}
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
<br />
{{Verse||3|blue}}
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
<br />
{{Verse||4|blue}}
And there is none like unto Him.
<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-26 |title=Surah Al-Ikhlas |url=https://islam.ulkaa.com/en/surah/112 |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Ulkaa Islam |language=en}}</ref><br />
{{right|Translation: ''[[Abdullah Yusuf Ali|Yusuf Ali]]'', 1934.}}
<hr />
<br />
{{Verse||1|magenta}}
Say: He is Allah, the One!
<br />
{{Verse||2|magenta}}
Allah, the eternally Besought of all!
<br />
{{Verse||3|magenta}}
He begetteth not nor was begotten.
<br />
{{Verse||4|magenta}}
And there is none comparable unto Him.
<br />
{{right|Translation: ''[[Marmaduke Pickthall|Pickthall]]'', 1930.}}
<hr />

=== Meaning ===
{{Blockquote|text='''1.''' Say: He, Allah, is [[al-Ahad]] (The Unique One of Absolute Oneness, i.e., single and indivisible with absolute and permanent unity and distinct from all else, who is unique in It’s essence, attributes, names and acts, The One who has no second, no associate, no parents, no offspring, no peers, free from the concept of [[Multiplicity (mathematics)|multiplicity]] or [[Divisibility rule|divisibility]], and far from conceptualization and limitation, and there is nothing like Him in any respect).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/1/|title=IslamAwakened [Qur'an 112:1]|website=IslamAwakened.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210604214131/https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/1/|archive-date=4 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="Saheeh International">{{cite web|author=[[Saheeh International]]|url=https://quranenc.com/en/browse/english_saheeh/112|title=Saheeh International [Qur'an 112:1–4]|website=quranenc.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210702183606/https://quranenc.com/en/browse/english_saheeh/112|archive-date=2 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=[[Ibn Juzayy]]|url=https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=88&tSoraNo=112&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1|title=Tafsir Ibn Juzayy [Surat al-Ikhlas: 1-4]|publisher=[[Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought]]|website=www.altafsir.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210702002657/https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=88&tSoraNo=112&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1|archive-date=2 July 2021|language=ar}}</ref>

'''2.''' Allah is {{ill|al-Samad|ar|الصمد (أسماء الله الحسنى)}} (The Ultimate Source of all existence, The [[uncaused cause]] Who created all things out of nothing, Who is eternal, absolute, immutable, perfect, complete, essential, independent, and self-sufficient; Who does not need to eat or drink, sleep or rest; Who needs nothing while all of creation is in absolute need of Him; The One eternally and constantly required and sought, depended upon by all existence and to whom all matters will ultimately return).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/2/|title=IslamAwakened [Qur'an 112:2]|website=IslamAwakened.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210604205554/https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/2/|archive-date=4 June 2021}}</ref><ref name="Saheeh International"/><ref>{{cite web|author=[[Ahmed Hulusi]]|url=https://www.ahmedhulusi.org/en/quran/112-al-ikhlas|title=Decoding The Quran (A Unique Sufi Interpretation)|website=www.ahmedhulusi.org/en|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210628224634/https://www.ahmedhulusi.org/en/quran/112-al-ikhlas|archive-date=28 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=[[Abu Ishaq al-Tha'labi]]|url=https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=75&tSoraNo=112&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&Page=3&Size=1&LanguageId=1|title=Tafsir al-Tha'labi [Surat al-Ikhlas: 1-4]|publisher=[[Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought]]|website=www.altafsir.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210702003255/https://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=2&tTafsirNo=75&tSoraNo=112&tAyahNo=1&tDisplay=yes&Page=3&Size=1&LanguageId=1|archive-date=2 July 2021|language=ar}}</ref>

'''3.''' He begets not, nor is He begotten (He is Unborn and Uncreated, has no parents, wife or offspring).

'''4.''' And there is none comparable (equal, equivalent or similar) to Him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/4/|title=IslamAwakened [Qur'an 112:4]|website=IslamAwakened.com|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210702233327/https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/112/4/|archive-date=2 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="Ali Ünal">{{cite web|author=[[Ali Ünal]]|url=http://mquran.org/content/view/6225/4/|title=The Qur'an with Annotated Interpretation in Modern English [Qur'an 112:4]|publisher=Tughra Books|website=mquran.org|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210604182054/http://mquran.org/content/view/6225/4/|archive-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>}}

== Material evidence ==
The first three verses of Al-Ikhlas are known from a coin issued by [[Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan]] in 697 AD. It is also at the beginning of the major inscription on the [[Dome of the Rock]], which dates to 691. Some of the early inscriptions of the surah contain a variant of the first verse, where the ''qul huwa'' of the first verse is missing (a variant also documented in the Islamic tradition). It is typically not found in early manuscripts because it is located towards the end of the Quran, and therefore, is in a location of a manuscript sensitive to damage, although it is present in the manuscript [[Sarayı Medina 1a]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ghaffar |first=Zishan |date=2024-07-01 |title=The Many Faces of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012/html |journal=Journal of the International Qur'anic Studies Association |language=en |pages=6–7 |doi=10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012 |issn=2474-8420|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref>

== Historical context ==
In Islamic tradition, the audience of Al-Ikhlas has been variously reported to be Jewish, Christian, or pagan. Various potential contextualizations have been suggested in [[Quranic studies]]. One suggestion relates the first verse to the [[Shema]] of the [[Book of Deuteronomy]]: "Hear, O Israel: YHVH is our God, YHVH is one" (Deut 6:4). Another suggestion, especially as advocated by [[Angelika Neuwirth]], relates this verse as representing an antithesis or a counter to the [[Nicene Creed]] based on structural corresponds between the two. A recent proposal has compared this surah to Jacob's commentary of the Christological beliefs of the [[Christians]] of [[Najran]] in his 6th-century [[Letter to the Himyarites]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ghaffar |first=Zishan |date=2024-07-01 |title=The Many Faces of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012/html |journal=Journal of the International Qur'anic Studies Association |language=en |pages= |doi=10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012 |issn=2474-8420|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref> This, in particular, resembles a Muslim tradition whereby the surah was revealed in the context of an arrival of a delegation of Christians from Najran into Muhammad's audience.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ghaffar |first=Zishan |date=2024-07-01 |title=The Many Faces of Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012/html |journal=Journal of the International Qur'anic Studies Association |language=en |pages=15 |doi=10.1515/jiqsa-2023-0012 |issn=2474-8420|url-access=subscription |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Exegesis==
{{Main|Shirk (Islam)|Islamic view of the Trinity}}

[[File:Khalili Collection Islamic Art tls 0054.jpg|thumb|9th century [[lapis lazuli]] octagon with the full text of the surah, worn as a protective [[amulet]], [[Khalili Collection of Islamic Art]].]]
In the early years of [[Islam]], some surahs of the Quran came to be known by several different names, sometimes varying by region.<ref>A.T. Welch, art. ‘al-Ḳur’ān’ in ''Encyclopaedia of Islam'', 2nd edn. On early development of sura headings see Adam Gacek, ''Arabic Manuscripts: A Vademecum For Readers'', Handbook of Oriental Studies (Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2009), pp. 219–20.</ref> This surah was among those to receive many different titles. It is a short declaration of [[tawhid]], God's absolute oneness, consisting of four [[ayat]]. ''Al-Ikhlas'' means "the purity" or "the refining".

It is disputed whether this is a [[Meccan surah|Meccan]] or [[Medinan surah]]. The former seems more probable, particularly since it seems to have been alluded to by [[Bilal ibn al-Harith]], who, when he was being tortured by his cruel master, is said to have repeated "Ahad, Ahad!" (unique, referring as here to God). It is reported from [[Ubayy ibn Ka'b]] that it was revealed after the [[Religion in pre-Islamic Arabia|polytheists]] asked "O Muhammad! Tell us the lineage of your Lord."

===Q112:1-2 None comparable to God===
Surah Al-Ikhlas contains four verses: 112:1. Say: He is Allah, One. 112:2. Allah [[Names of God in Islam#List|As-Samad]]. 112:3. He begets not, nor was He begotten.  112:4. And there is none comparable to Him.<ref name="Quran 4 U">{{cite web|author=Ibn Kathir|author-link=Ibn Kathir|title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah Al Akhlas|url=http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/112%20Ikhlas.htm|access-date=26 December 2019|work=Quran 4 U|publisher=[[Tafsir]]}}</ref>

About this, Tafsir Ibn Kathir says: 

{{blockquote|"When the Jews said, 'We worship [[Uzair|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.<ref name = "Quran 4 U"/>}}

The word ([[Al-Ahad]]) cannot be used for anyone in affirmation except for Allah within the Islamic tradition.

==Hadith==
According to [[hadith]]s, this surah is an especially important and honored part of the Quran:
* Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: A man heard another man reciting (in the prayers): 'Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allah, the One." (112.1) And he recited it repeatedly. When it was morning, he went to the Prophet and informed him about that as if he considered that the recitation of that Sura by itself was not enough. Allah's Apostle said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, it is equal to one-third of the Quran."<ref>Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 93: Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) Volume 9, Number 471</ref><ref name="V112:1">{{cite web |url=http://www.islamicity.com/mosque/sunnah/bukhari/093.sbt.html |title = SAHIH BUKHARI, BOOK 93: ONENESS, UNIQUENESS OF ALLAH (TAWHEED)}}</ref>
* Narrated Yahya related to me from Malik from [[Ibn Shihab]] that Humayd ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Awf had told him that Surat al-Ikhlas (Surah 112) was equal to a third of the Qur'an, and that [[Al-Mulk|Surat al-Mulk]] (Surah 67) pleaded for its owner.<ref>Imam Malik's Muwatta Chapter No: 15, The Quran Hadith no: 19</ref>
* Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet sent (an army unit) under the command of a man who used to lead his companions in the prayers and would finish his recitation with (the Sura 112): 'Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allah, the One." ' (112.1) When they returned (from the battle), they mentioned that to the Prophet. He said (to them), "Ask him why he does so." They asked him and he said, "I do so because it mentions the qualities of the Beneficent and I love to recite it (in my prayer)." The Prophet; said (to them), "Tell him that Allah loves him"<ref>Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 93: Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed) Volume 9, Number 472</ref>
* Imam [[Malik ibn Anas]] recorded from Ubayd bin Hunayn that he heard [[Abu Hurayrah]] saying, "I went out with the Prophet and he heard a man reciting `Say: He is Allah, the One.' So the Messenger of Allah said, (It is obligatory). I asked, `What is obligatory'  He replied, "[[Paradise]]."<ref name="Quran 4 U" />
* Narrated by [[Saeed bin Zaid|Abu Said]], the Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1 ..to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sahih-bukhari.com/Pages/Bukhari_6_61.php |title = Sahih Bukhari : Book of "Virues of Al-Quran"}}</ref><ref>Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 61: Virtues of the Qur'an Book 61, Number 534</ref>
* [[Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari|Al-Bukhari]] reported from Amrah bint Abdur-Rahman, who used to stay in the apartment of [[Aisha]], the wife of the Prophet, that Aisha said, "The Prophet sent a man as the commander of a war expedition and he used to lead his companions in prayer with recitation (of the Quran). And he would complete his recitation with the recitation of `Say: He is Allah, One.' So when they returned they mentioned that to the Prophet and he said, Ask him why does he do that?  So they asked him and he said,  "Because it is the description of [[Ar-Rahman]] and I love to recite it.  So the Prophet said,  "Inform him that Allah the Most High loves him."<ref name="Quran 4 U" /> This is how [[Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari|Al-Bukhari]] recorded this [[hadith]] in his book of [[tawhid]]. Muslim and an-Nisai also recorded it.
* An authentic Hadith says 'Say [recite] Surat al-Ikhlās and al-Muawwidhatayn (Surat al-[[Al-Falaq|Falaq]] and Surat an-[[Al-Nas|Nās]]) three times in the morning and the evening; they will suffice you from everything.' [Narrated by [[At-Tirmidhi]]. And [[Muhammad Nasiruddin al-Albani]] authenticated it: 2829<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://abdurrahman.org/qurantafseer/TheVirtuesOfSomeSurahs_ShaikAlbanee.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111013063038/http://abdurrahman.org/qurantafseer/TheVirtuesOfSomeSurahs_ShaikAlbanee.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Narrated Aisha: "Whenever the Prophet went to bed every night, he used to cup his hands together and blow over it after reciting Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Nas, and then rub his hands over whatever parts of his body he was able to rub, starting with his head, face and front of his body. He used to do that three times.<ref>(Sahih al-Bukhari Vol.6 Bk.6 No.536)</ref><ref>Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Book 71: Medicine Volume 7, Number 644</ref>
* [[Ahmad ibn Hanbal|Imam Ahmad]] also recorded that Ibn 'Umar said, "I watched the Prophet twenty-four or twenty-five times reciting in the two Rak'ahs before the [[Fajr|Morning prayer]] and the two Rak'ahs after the [[Maghrib|Sunset prayer]], 'Say: "O ye infidels!"' (Surah [[Al-Kafirun]]) and "Say: "He is Allah, One."<ref name="Quran 4 U" />

== See also ==
* [[Al-Falaq]]
* [[Al-Nas]]
* [[Al-Mu'awwidhatayn]]
* [[Four Quls]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://quran.com/112 Quran 112]  [[Clear Quran translation]]
* {{gutenberg author| id=7046| name=Abdullah Yusuf Ali}}
* [https://wikilivres.org/wiki/The_Holy_Qur%27an The Holy Qur'an], translated by [https://wikilivres.org/wiki/Abdullah_Yusuf_Ali Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
* [[gutenberg:16955|Three translations at Project Gutenberg]]
* {{gutenberg author| id=7047| name=Marmaduke Pickthall}}

{{Sura|112|[[Al-Masadd]]|[[Al-Falaq]]}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ikhlas}}
[[Category:Chapters in the Quran]]
[[Category:Four Quls|I]]