Surah 112. Al-Ikhlas Monotheism - English Translation

The surah Al-Ikhlāṣ (“Pure Monotheism”) is a Meccan surah composed of 4 verses. It was revealed when the polytheists of Quraysh asked the Prophet ﷺ: Describe your Lord to us. The surah responded by proclaiming the absolute oneness and transcendence of God, rejecting any anthropomorphic or polytheistic concept of divinity.

According to Ibn Kathīr, this surah is considered equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an because it perfectly summarizes the essence of monotheism (tawḥīd). In classical exegesis, it is often referred to as Sūrat al-Tawḥīd.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

Al-Ikhlāṣ encapsulates the very foundation of Islamic faith: God is One, Eternal, Self-Sufficient, and Incomparable. It expresses the concept of tawḥīd al-aḥadiyya — absolute divine unity. Its key teachings include:

• Absolute Oneness of God: Allah is One, unique and without equal. (verse 1)
• Self-Sufficiency and Eternity: He is independent while all creation depends on Him. (verse 2)
• Rejection of Divine Filiation: He neither begets nor is begotten, refuting pagan and Trinitarian notions. (verse 3)
• Incomparability of God: Nothing resembles or equals Him. (verse 4)

The Prophet ﷺ said that reciting this surah sincerely is like reciting one-third of the Qur’an, and it was often included in his daily prayers. (Sahih al-Bukhari; Sahih Muslim)

Structure and Main Themes

• Verse 1: Proclamation of God’s absolute unity (Ahad).
• Verse 2: Description of His self-sufficiency and eternal nature (As-Samad).
• Verse 3: Denial of any parentage or offspring.
• Verse 4: Affirmation of God’s unique and incomparable essence.

The tone of the surah is theological and definitive: it defines the Islamic understanding of God’s pure, indivisible oneness and rejects all human or created concepts of divinity.

Key Verse

The key verse of the surah is verse 1:

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

Say: He is Allah, the One.

Why is this verse key?

• It declares the core principle of Islamic monotheism: Allah is one in essence, attributes, and actions.
• It rejects all forms of association or division in divinity, opposing both polytheistic and Trinitarian beliefs.
• According to Al-Qurṭubī, it represents the purest expression of faith: belief in a God who is beyond likeness, intermediaries, or comparison.

In summary, Al-Ikhlāṣ is the ultimate declaration of divine unity. It condenses the essence of tawḥīd: worshipping Allah alone, without partner or equal. It stands as the heart of Islamic creed and a timeless reminder of pure monotheism.