AlIkhlas

Al-Ikhlas, also known as Surah al-Ikhlas or The Sincerity (Arabic: سورة الإخلاص), is the 112th chapter of the Qur'an. It is one of the shortest surahs, consisting of four verses, and is commonly read in daily prayers and memorized by Muslims around the world. The name ikhlas conveys the idea of purity and sincerity in the worship of God.

The surah presents a concise declaration of tawhid, the oneness of God. The Apostle’s creed is expressed through the lines: Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad (Say, He is Allah, the One), Allahus-Samad (Allah, the Absolute), Lam yalid wa lam yulad (He begets not, nor is He begotten), Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad (And there is none comparable to Him). Together, these verses affirm God’s indivisibility, self-sufficiency, and unique attributes, while denying both polytheism and anthropomorphic comparisons.

In terms of context, Surah al-Ikhlas is generally classified as a Meccan surah, revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad’s prophethood. Its terse style and focus on monotheism reflect themes common in Meccan revelations. The surah is widely used in liturgy and devotion across Sunni and Shia traditions, valued for its succinct articulation of God’s unity.

A traditional hadith in Islamic literature sometimes states that reciting al-Ikhlas is equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an in meaning, highlighting its theological significance. While this is a popular expression of its importance, scholars emphasize understanding it as a metaphorical assessment rather than a literal division of the Qur’an.