Suratul Ikhlas (Reading and Meaning) – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Suratul-Ikhlas is the 112th chapter (surah) of the Holy Quran, a short surah of four verses on the Oneness of Allah (Tawhid).

Behavioural objectives

1. State the position of Suratul-Ikhlas in the Quran and give its names.
2. Read Suratul-Ikhlas correctly, using the tips for correct reading.
3. Give the meaning of each verse of the surah.
4. Explain why the surah is said to equal one-third of the Quran.
5. List times when it is recommended to recite the surah.
6. Describe how to apply the message of the surah in daily life.

What is Suratul-Ikhlas?

Suratul-Ikhlas is the 112th surah of the Quran, and its name “Al-Ikhlas” means “Sincerity” or “Purity”.

Where is Suratul-Ikhlas in the Quran?

• Number: it is the 112th surah.
• Part: it is in the 30th and last juz’ (part) of the Quran.
• Neighbours: it comes after Suratul-Masad (111) and before Suratul-Falaq (113).
• Length: it has 4 verses (ayat).

What are the names of Suratul-Ikhlas?

Five names are commonly given to Suratul-Ikhlas, and Al-Ikhlas is the main one.

• Al-Ikhlas: “Sincerity” or “Purity”.
• At-Tawhid: “The Oneness of Allah”.
• Al-Asas: “The Foundation”, because it states the foundation of Islamic belief.
• Al-Ma’rifah: “The Knowledge”, because it gives essential knowledge about Allah.
• As-Samad: “The Eternal”, after the attribute of Allah named in verse 2.

When and why was Suratul-Ikhlas revealed?

Most scholars say it was revealed in Makkah, in answer to people who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to describe his Lord.

• Place: Makkah, in the early years of the Prophet’s mission.
• Reason: the polytheists asked him to describe his Lord to them.
• Answer: Allah revealed this surah to describe Himself clearly.

How is Suratul-Ikhlas read?

Suratul-Ikhlas is read in Arabic after the Bismillah, which is not counted as one of the four verses.

What is the Arabic text of Suratul-Ikhlas?

What are the tips for correct reading?

• Pronunciation: say each letter from its correct place in the mouth.
• Tajweed rules:
  1. The “h” in “Huwa” is pronounced with a slight breath.
  2. The “ll” in “Allah” is pronounced with emphasis (tafkheem) in “Huwa Allahu”.
  3. The “s” in “Samad” is pronounced with emphasis.
  4. The “l” in “Lam” is pronounced clearly.
  5. The final “d” in “ahad”, “yalid” and “yoolad” gives a slight echo (qalqalah) when you stop.
• Pauses: pause briefly at the end of each verse.
• Speed: read at a moderate pace.
• Reflection: think about the meaning as you read.

What does Suratul-Ikhlas mean?

Suratul-Ikhlas gives a short and clear description of Allah: He is One, self-sufficient, without children or parents, and without an equal.

What is the word-by-word meaning?

What is the overall meaning?

1. Allah is One and Unique, without partners or equals.
2. Allah is the Eternal Refuge on whom all creation depends.
3. Allah has no children and was not born.
4. Nothing in creation is like Allah.

What does each verse mean?

Verse 1: “Say: He is Allah, [who is] One”

• Say: Allah commands the Prophet, and every Muslim, to declare this truth.
• He is Allah: it names Allah by His proper name.
• One (Ahad): it has four meanings:
  1. Allah is One in His essence: there is only one God.
  2. Allah is One in His attributes: no one shares His perfect qualities.
  3. Allah is One in His actions: no one else can do what Allah does.
  4. Allah is indivisible: He is not made up of parts.

Verse 2: “Allah, the Eternal Refuge”

• As-Samad: this Arabic word carries several meanings:
  1. The One on whom all creation depends.
  2. The One who is independent and needs nothing.
  3. The One who is perfect and free from any defect.
  4. The One who is eternal and everlasting.
  5. The One to whom people turn for their needs.

Verse 3: “He neither begets nor is He begotten”

• Lam yalid (He does not beget):
  1. Allah has no children or offspring.
  2. It rejects the belief that God has sons or daughters.
  3. Allah needs no child to help Him or take His place.
• Wa lam yoolad (nor is He begotten):
  1. Allah was not born and had no beginning.
  2. Allah has always existed and will always exist.
  3. Allah has no parents or ancestors.

Verse 4: “And there is none comparable to Him”

• No likeness: no one and nothing is similar to Allah.
• Unique nature: Allah’s nature, attributes and actions are unique.
• Worship: no one deserves worship except Allah.
• Creation: Allah must never be compared to His creation.

Why is Suratul-Ikhlas important?

Suratul-Ikhlas is important because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said it equals one-third of the Quran and taught its many rewards.

Why is it equal to one-third of the Quran?

• Hadith: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “By the One in whose hand is my soul, it is equal to one-third of the Quran.” (Bukhari)
• Reason given by scholars: the teachings of the Quran fall into three groups:
  1. Stories and history.
  2. Commands and prohibitions.
  3. Beliefs about Allah and the unseen.
• Link to the surah: Suratul-Ikhlas is wholly about the third group, the nature of Allah.

What are the rewards of Suratul-Ikhlas?

• Paradise for love of the surah: the Prophet (peace be upon him) told a man who loved it: “Your love for this surah will enter you into Paradise.” (Bukhari)
• Protection: he encouraged reciting it, with the last two surahs, in the morning and evening.
• A house in Paradise: he said: “Whoever recites ‘Qul huwa Allahu ahad’ ten times, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.” (Ahmad)

When should Suratul-Ikhlas be recited?

Suratul-Ikhlas is recommended in prayers, after prayers, before sleep and in the morning and evening remembrances.

• In prayers: many Muslims recite it in these prayers:
  • Fajr (morning) prayer
  • Maghrib (sunset) prayer
  • Sunnah prayers
  • Witr prayer
• After obligatory prayers: the Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended it with Suratul-Falaq and Suratul-Nas.
• Before sleep: it is recited with the other two protective surahs.
• During illness: the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited protective surahs and blew over himself when ill.
• In times of need: many Muslims recite it when facing difficulty.
• Morning and evening: it is part of the daily remembrances (Adhkar).

What does Suratul-Ikhlas teach?

What is Tawhid?

Tawhid is the belief in the Oneness of Allah, and it is the most basic belief in Islam.

• One God: there is only one God, Allah.
• Worship: Allah alone deserves worship.
• No partners: Allah has no partners or equals.
• Attributes: His attributes are unique and perfect.

Which false beliefs does the surah reject?

Suratul-Ikhlas rejects four false beliefs about God.

Why is sincerity important?

Sincerity (ikhlas) means worshipping Allah purely for His sake, with correct belief.

• Worship: worship Allah sincerely.
• Understanding: keep your idea of Allah pure and free from wrong ideas.
• Belief: do not mix your belief with incorrect concepts.

How is Allah described as perfect?

• Oneness: He is perfect in His Oneness.
• Self-sufficiency: He needs nothing.
• Eternal nature: He has no beginning and no end.
• Uniqueness: nothing is like Him.

What are the special qualities of the surah?

• Conciseness: four short verses describe Allah’s nature.
• Clarity: it uses clear language for a deep subject.
• Completeness: it covers the main points of Islamic belief about Allah.

What stories are linked to Suratul-Ikhlas?

Three accounts are linked to Suratul-Ikhlas: why it was revealed, a companion who loved it, and the Prophet’s bedtime practice.

What was the reason for its revelation?

• The polytheists of Makkah asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Describe your Lord to us.”
• Allah revealed Suratul-Ikhlas in reply.

Who was the companion who loved this surah?

• A companion led prayers in the Quba mosque.
• In every rak’ah (unit of prayer) he recited Suratul-Ikhlas before another surah.
• When asked why, he said: “I love this surah.”
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Your love for it will enter you into Paradise.” (Bukhari)

What was the Prophet’s practice at bedtime?

1. He cupped his hands together.
2. He recited Suratul-Ikhlas, Suratul-Falaq and Suratul-Nas and blew into his hands.
3. He wiped his body with his hands, starting from his head.

How can we apply Suratul-Ikhlas in our lives?

We apply Suratul-Ikhlas by strengthening Tawhid, reciting it often, teaching it and living its message.

How can we strengthen belief in Tawhid?

• Reflect: recite the surah and think about its meaning.
• Worship: direct all worship to Allah alone.
• Avoid shirk: do not give Allah’s unique qualities to anyone or anything else.

How can we recite it regularly?

• Prayers: recite it in daily prayers.
• Remembrances: include it in the morning and evening Adhkar.
• After prayers: recite it after each obligatory prayer.

How can we teach it to others?

• Children: help them memorise it early.
• Meaning: explain its meaning and importance.
• Virtues: share its virtues with family and friends.

How can we live its message?

• Dependence: depend on Allah (As-Samad) for all your needs.
• Pure belief: keep your belief free from wrong ideas about Allah.
• Sincerity: make your worship sincere.

How does Suratul-Ikhlas compare with other surahs?

Suratul-Ikhlas is often grouped with three other surahs that Muslims recite for protection and guidance.

Which surahs are grouped with Suratul-Ikhlas?

• Suratul-Kafirun (109): rejects the worship of false gods.
• Suratul-Falaq (113): seeks Allah’s protection from outside evils.
• Suratul-Nas (114): seeks Allah’s protection from the evil whispering of Satan.

How is it connected with Suratul-Fatihah?

Suratul-Fatihah is the opening chapter of the Quran, and Suratul-Ikhlas is the surah that describes Allah.

Evaluation

1. What does “Al-Ikhlas” mean, and why is this surah given this name?
2. Write Suratul-Ikhlas in Arabic and give its meaning in English.
3. Why did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) say that this surah equals one-third of the Quran?
4. What does “As-Samad” mean?
5. List three times when it is recommended to recite Suratul-Ikhlas.

Assignment

Write out the four verses of Suratul-Ikhlas in Arabic with the meaning of each verse in English, then list four false beliefs about God that the surah rejects.