Tafsir of Surah Al-Ikhlas

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Translated by AI – this translation may contain errors.
The original text can be found here: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/87.

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Tafsir of Surah Al-Ikhlas

By: Mohammed Akram Nadwi
Oxford

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1. The Greatness of Surah Al-Ikhlas

They asked: What is Surah Al-Ikhlas?
I replied: It is the greatest Surah that introduces us to our Lord and connects us to Him. It is short in its words and structure but immense in its meanings and implications. This Surah does not neglect or omit any of Allah’s attributes that help His servants draw closer to Him, seek a means to Him, and worship Him with sincerity, relying on Him without associating anything with Him. Every name, attribute, action, and affair of Allah scattered throughout the Quran, His independence from the worlds, and His supremacy over all are concisely gathered in this Surah. It describes how all creation is in need of Him, submitting to Him in humility and obedience.

This Surah encapsulates these meanings in a few, concise, yet comprehensive words, with beautiful, miraculous, and eloquent arrangement.

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2. The Summary of Its Meaning

They asked: Can you summarize its meaning for us?
I replied: This Surah is like the conclusion of the Quran in its call to exclusive devotion to Allah. It is a call to sincere worship and supplication. This purity of devotion is the cornerstone and ultimate aim of the eternal and divine religion. It follows other Surahs that discuss migration from disbelief and polytheism and is connected to them as a spiritual migration, cutting ties with the disbelievers, polytheists, Jews, and Christians, condemning their falsehoods and lies.

This Surah is particularly severe on Christians and those who follow their path of associating partners with Allah. It resembles Surah Al-Fatiha in that it begins with affirming the oneness of Allah and ends by refuting the innovations of the Jews and Christians. The Surah contains profound meanings, difficult to enumerate, but its most prominent themes are three:

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3. The Three Key Meanings

First: The oneness of Allah.
The word “Allah” encapsulates all His names, attributes, and actions detailed throughout the Quran. While the Arabs of the pre-Islamic period knew some of these attributes, they were ignorant of many and neglected others, associating partners with Allah, such as angels, like the Christians and other misguided nations. Their polytheism indicated that they were not truly worshipping Allah, and they were lying in their claims of faith. Allah revealed Surah Al-Kafirun to declare their separation and renunciation from the believers.

The word “Ahad” also encompasses everything that it signifies. It refers to Allah being the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the originator of the universe, and the ultimate destination of all things. “He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is Knowledgeable of all things.” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:3). “To Allah belongs the heritage of the heavens and the earth.” (Surah Al-Hadid 57:10). Allah is One in His names, attributes, and actions. The sovereignty of the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Our souls, wealth, and hearts are His. He creates and destroys as He wills, and He decrees and ordains as He pleases. He rules with His power and knowledge, and His command over creation cannot be overturned. He is the One who gives life and death and will resurrect bones after they have decayed.

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Second: The perfection of Allah.
This is indicated by the attribute of “As-Samad.” It is the core of this Surah. As-Samad means the complete and perfect Lord, to whom all turn in need, and He is free from any need of others. His perfection is of two types:

1. Freedom from any deficiency, as He is independent of the worlds and needs nothing from them. This aspect is expressed through Tasbih (glorification) in the Quran and elsewhere.

2. His benevolence and grace toward His creation. They are utterly dependent on Him, and He grants them great favors. He is the Creator, the Provider, the Guide, and the One who dispels fear. This is expressed by Hamd (praise), as He is the Praiseworthy by virtue of His gifts and grace. All goodness comes from Allah, not from people. The best of what He has prepared for His righteous servants is Paradise, with its shade and companionship. Whoever resides near Allah in His dwelling place will have perfect blessings. If we are to be thankful, we must thank the One who has bestowed these favors, and ingratitude toward Him would be a grave sin.

I said: The concept of As-Samad is greatly misunderstood by many people, leading them into pitfalls and errors. Allah revealed Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas to explain the meaning of As-Samad.
They asked: Can you elaborate on this explanation?
I replied: I will dedicate a separate article to explain Surah Al-Falaq and Surah An-Nas, insha’Allah.

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Third: Allah is distinct from His creation.
He has no likeness, and nothing in creation resembles Him. He neither begets nor is born, and He has no partner or equal. There is no one to turn to in sincerity except Him. He alone is the Guide and Protector. He is the One we seek refuge in for what we hope, and He is the One we seek protection from what we fear. He is the Rescuer from distress and tribulation. He feeds us, gives us drink, and when we are ill, He cures us. Who else forgives sins except Allah? Who else can we seek forgiveness from, except Him? He is the Most Merciful, the Giver of piety, and the One who strengthens the resolve to be righteous. He is truly the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful, and the Generous Benefactor.

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4. The Difference Between Islamic Monotheism and Philosophical Debates

They asked: What is the difference between the monotheism taught in this Surah and the monotheism debated by philosophers, theologians, and mystics?
I replied: The difference is vast, like the distance between the heavens and the earth, or even greater. Philosophers and their followers among theologians and mystics insist on proving their expertise by discussing concepts like the necessity of existence, the unity of existence, or the unity of perception—terms they invented without any basis from Allah. One person claims a specific understanding of monotheism that differs from others, while another presents a new idea, often making convoluted arguments. Each one refutes the other, turning Allah’s religion into endless debates and disputes. This approach corrupts the pure natural disposition (Fitrah) that Allah has placed in people.

However, this Surah does not engage in philosophy or doctrinal affiliation. It focuses on introducing Allah to His servants through His names, attributes, and actions. It teaches them to believe in these attributes, worship Him through them, and seek Him sincerely. This Surah is not for creating philosophies or artificial perspectives. Instead, it teaches people how to live by these sublime meanings, not how to argue about them or display superiority over others.

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5. Living the Meanings of This Surah

They asked: What do you mean by “living the meanings of this Surah”?
I replied: It means that we must believe in our need for Allah and our utter dependence on Him, acknowledging our weakness and poverty before Him. It is He who has the power to answer our prayers out of His mercy, not because we deserve it. There is no blessing or kindness except from Him. He alone deserves our thanks, and it is beyond human ability to truly thank Him as He deserves. How can anyone thank the One whose blessings are beyond count? The more a believer understands the meanings of this Surah, the closer they are to their Lord, and the more peace and happiness they experience. The closeness of Allah is a meaning that surpasses all others.

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6. A Personal Prayer

O my Lord, make me understand this Surah and bring me closer to You. Guide me to Your worship in the morning and the evening, and make my heart yearn for Your love. Let the fire of longing for You burn in my heart, never to be extinguished. Grant me the steadfastness to remain devoted to You, and forgive my sins and excesses. Keep me from following the desires that lead to disobedience, which would separate me from the light of Your guidance. O my Lord, I turn to You alone, not to this or that. I am Your servant, and You are the best of guardians. Every time I sought Your forgiveness, I found You most merciful and gracious.