Surah Ikhlas is a brief yet profound chapter of the Quran. It is the 112th surah. It contains only four verses. The chapter is extremely important to Muslims globally. Its central theme is Tawhid. The oneness of Allah is called tawhid. This blog paper discusses Surah Ikhlas with english translation. We are going to give its English transliteration. We are also going to get into its meaning and significance.
This chapter is also referred to as The Sincerity or The Purity. It is a very obvious profession of faith. It determines the essence of Islamic faith. This surah is a surah that enhances the attachment of an individual to Allah. The transliteration assists the non-Arabic speakers. It enables them to memorize the verses. This enhances their worship and comprehension. We shall discuss the mighty words of Surah Ikhlas.
What is Surah Ikhlas?
Surah Ikhlas is a Surah of Mecca. This implies that it has been disclosed in Mecca. Ikhlas is the name of sincerity. The name is according to the theme of the surah. It demands absolute worship of one God. The term Ikhlas is not found anywhere in the chapter. Rather, it is mentioned in its title. It cleanses faith of any shirk. Shirk is the sin of consorting with Allah.
The context of this surah matters. It was disclosed as a reply to the interrogatives of polytheists. They requested Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to give a description of his Lord. They were interested in knowing who Allah was and what his lineage was. It was an answer that was complete and in response to Allah. The four verses of this poem are very strong in explaining the qualities of the Creator. This renders it one of the pillars of Islamic theology.
It was given high value by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). One hadith of Sahih Bukhari says that Surah Ikhlas is one-third of the Quran. This underlines its monumental value. There is also a great reward in reciting it. It sums up a massive part of the main message of the Quran.
Surah Ikhlas Transliteration and English & Urdu Translation
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
قُلۡ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwal laahu ahad
Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One,
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ
Allah hus-samad
Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
لَمۡ يَلِدۡ وَلَمۡ يُولَدۡ
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
He neither begets nor is born,
وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدُۢ
Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad (section 1)
Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
Verse-by-Verse Meaning and Explanation
Understanding the meaning of the verses is essential. It transforms recitation from mere words to a profound spiritual act. Let’s break down each verse.
Verse 1: Qul huwal laahu ahad
Translation: Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One.”
The first verse is a powerful declaration. It starts with “Qul,” meaning “Say.” This is a command to Prophet Muhammad. It extends to all believers. We are instructed to declare this truth. The statement is clear. Allah is One. The word used here is “Ahad.”
“Ahad” is unique. It signifies an indivisible, unparalleled oneness. It is different from “Wahid,” which can mean one in a series. “Ahad” implies absolute singularity. He is not composed of parts. He is not part of a larger group. This verse negates any idea of plurality in God. It establishes the foundation of monotheism. It directly refutes beliefs in multiple gods or a trinity. Allah’s oneness is absolute.
Verse 2: Allah Hus-samad
Translation: “Allah, the Eternal Refuge.”
The second verse introduces another attribute. Allah is “As-Samad.” This Arabic word has a deep, comprehensive meaning. It does not have a single equivalent word in English. Translators use phrases to capture its essence.
“As-Samad” means He is the one whom all creation needs. Everything depends on Him. He, however, is dependent on nothing. He is self-sufficient. So, he does not eat. He does not drink. He has no needs. All creatures turn to Him for their needs and survival. He is the eternal, absolute authority. He is perfect in all His attributes. His power and knowledge are complete. This verse shows Allah as the ultimate sustainer and master.
Verse 3: Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
Translation: “He neither begets nor is born.”
This verse refutes a common misconception about God. It directly addresses beliefs that attribute children or parents to God. The verse has two parts. “Lam yalid” means He does not beget. “Wa lam yoolad” means He was not begotten.
This statement is absolute. It removes any human-like characteristics from Allah. The concept of begetting implies a physical process. It suggests having a partner and a physical body. Allah is far above such things. The idea of being born implies having a beginning. Allah is eternal. He has no start and no end. This verse purifies the concept of God. It frees it from the limitations of creation. It refutes the idea of God having sons or daughters, a belief held by some religions.
Verse 4: Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad
Translation: “Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
The final verse concludes this powerful definition of God. It declares that nothing and no one is comparable to Allah. The word “kufuwan” means an equal, a match, or a peer. There is no one similar to Him.
This applies to His essence. It applies to His attributes. It applies to His actions. No created being can share His divine qualities. His knowledge, power, and mercy are unique. He has no rival. He has no partner. This verse completes the picture of absolute monotheism. It leaves no room for associating any partners with Allah. It establishes His complete and utter uniqueness. Everything in creation is His subject. Nothing is His equal.
The Importance and Benefits of Surah Ikhlas
Surah Ikhlas is not a chapter that should be recited only. It is the blessing of immense spiritual returns. The significance of it is stressed in many hadiths.
- Repeating it is like repeating one-third of the Quran. This demonstrates its extreme prudence. It is the simplest of messages in the whole scripture. Memorizing it thrice is similar to memorizing the entire Quran in reward.
- This surah is a form of protection. Prophet Muhammad would recite Surah Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas upon going to sleep. He would take his hands in, and blow warmly into them, and wipe himself. It is an evil guard to the evil.
- The love of Allah could be attained by reciting Surah Ikhlas. One of the companions of the Prophet would always recite this surah in each rak’ah of prayer. On questioning him, the reason he responded by saying he loved it. The Prophet informed him that his affection for it would send him to Paradise. This reveals that an earnest relationship with this surah is favorable to God.
- It purifies faith. The fact that it is recited all the time helps to strengthen the concept of Tawhid. It aids a believer in internalizing Allah’s oneness. This keeps the heart safe against suspicion and evasion. It enhances the spiritual background.
Conclusion
Surah Ikhlas does not simply define. It is a universal answer. It deals with a basic human pursuit. Humanity has always tried to understand the Creator since the beginning of time. Philosophers have debated. Mythologies have been created in civilizations. Individuals have made idols out of their imagination. This surah ends the search.
It does not present a philosophical treatise that is intricate. It is a plain, direct, and rational fact. So, it gives four brief statements that tore apart all misconceptions concerning God. Also, it is an identity card of Allah. It tells us who He is. More to the point, it informs us of who He is not. He is not many. He is not needy. And, he is not a parent or a child. Thus, he is not comparable. This is the doing away with of our idea of the Divine. It liberates the human mind from superstitions. It provides a personal contact with the one true God, a God that is transcendent and the end-all be-all. This surah is the last word of what the Divine is, and this is a timeless piece of truth for all humanity.
