Learn All You Need to Know About Tafseer Surah Al-Ikhlas

This article discusses Surah Al-Ikhlas from several aspects, starting with a brief introduction. Why was surah ikhlas translation and tafseer revealed (Asbab al-n-Nuzul)? What is the Maksud of Surah Al-Ikhlas? Surah Ikhlas translation, and transliteration in English. It also discusses the meaning and Tafseer of Surah Al-Ikhlas, the benefits of Surah Al-Ikhlas, and, finally, the lessons behind it.

Introduction to Surah Al-Ikhlas

Surah Al-Ikhlas is a Makki Surah that was revealed to Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) before Hijra. Muslim scholars suggested that Makki surahs were mainly directed towards raising up a correct creed (Aqeeda) and teaching the very basics of Islam. 

It is one of the greatest surahs of the Quran, owing to its focused and comprehensive speech on Allah’s oneness and attributes. The word ‘Al-Iklas’ is an Arabic word that means: sincerity, purity, and refining. That clearly refers to purifying the heart and sincerely worshipping the only one God (Allah) without associating with any other partner.

Why Was Surah Al-Ikhlas Revealed (Asbab al-n-Nuzul)?

Surah Al-Iklas was revealed in response to a group of polytheists who asked the Prophet (PBUH) to name the lineage of Allah to them. The Quran immediately answered their question and clearly defined Allah’s attributes where it left no place for doubt, suspicion, or wonder. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3364)

What is The Maksud of Surah Al-Ikhlas?

The Maksud of Surah Ikhlas Translation and Tafseer is the Clarification of the Islamic creed in a simple way. 

It made it clear Allah is One, He has no partner, no parent, and no child, and that’s basically the core of a Muslim’s belief and what actually differentiates Islam from other religions. 

The Surah Ikhlas Translation and Tafseer also teaches a Muslim to surrender to Him; acknowledging no one has the right to be worshipped but Him, and no one could be relied on but Him- Allah Almighty.

Surah Al-Ikhlas English Translation and Transliteration With Arabic

Despite the great status of Surah Ikhlas, it consists of only four verses that show how great, direct, and focused the Surah is.

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “He is Allah—One

‘Qul huwa Allahu ahad’

 اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

Allah—the Sustainer ˹needed by all˺.

‘Allahu assamad’

لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

He has never had offspring, nor was He born.

‘Lam yalid wa lam yoolad’

 وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

And there is none comparable to Him.

‘Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad’

Tafseer of Surah Al-Ikhlas Meaning in English (Verse by Verse)

In the following few paragraphs, we will discuss the Celik Tafsir Surah Al Ikhlas and the meaning of Surah Al-Ikhlas verse by verse.

1. ‘Qul’ means Say, and that’s a speech from Allah to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to answer the questions of the polytheists and spread the knowledge and wisdom behind this Celik Tafsir Surah Al Ikhlas.

‘Allahu Ahad’ means Allah is One, and that’s a clear brief statement made by Allah to clarify His Oneness and the impossibility of several Gods; either idols, animals, or even humans.

2. ‘Allahu Assamad’ means Allah is The Sustainer of all and The One upon which all creatures in the heavens and Earth rely while He doesn’t rely upon any.

3. ‘Lam yalid’ means he doesn’t beget, which clearly distinguishes Islam from other religions that assume God bears sons; i.e., Christianity that assumes Jesus’ Eisa’ is the son of God.

‘Wa lam yoolad’ means Allah is not begotten and that He is the beginning of everything and nothing was before him.

4. ‘Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan ahad’ no one is ‘kufuwan’ to him; means no one is similar to him or shares His attributes, creatures, or even His name. Allah is Unique and far above having any similarity.

Lessons of Surah Ikhlas and Life Applications

Although Celik Tafsir Surah-Al-Ikhlas is very small, it involves several great lessons and messages.

A. Islamic Aqeeda is Simple and Clear

Unlike other religions, the Islamic creed ‘Aqeeda’ doesn’t have many details or myths. It is consistent with human nature and intellectual reasoning. It is simple, straightforward, available, and easy to learn and practice for everyone.

B. Convey Islam to Others

The Surah started with ‘Qul,’ which means: Say. The speech in this Kitab Tafsir surah Al Ikhlas was directed to The Prophet (PBUH) specifically. However, it is an open invitation for everyone to spread the message.

“Convey from me even an Ayah of the Quran” ( Riyad as-Salihin 1380)

C. Allah’s attributes in Islam are relevant to Him Being God

The dignified attributes of Allah are among the most important clues about the truth of Islam. 

Unlike other religions, Islam assigns to Allah the correct and intellectually acceptable attributes of God and The Creator. The Creator should be One, Unique, with no father, wife, or son. (Quran (21:22))

Allah is Glorious and Dignified!

D. Rely Upon Allah; The One Who Doesn’t Rely Upon Any.

Allah is The Sustainer and The Independent; rely upon Him as He is the only one who holds your livelihood ‘Rizq.’ (Quran (29:17))

Benefits of Surah Al-Ikhlas

Surah Al-Ikhlas has many benefits and virtues in deen and Dunia, as was mentioned by Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and narrated by his companions.

1. Surat Al-Ikhlas’s Thawab equals the Thawab of Reading Third of the Quran.

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) taught us that reading Surat Al-Ikhlas is equivalent to reading the third of the Quran.

He (PBUH) was once among his companions when he asked: Is any one of you incapable of reciting a third of the Quran in a night? 

The Companions were amazed and questioned: How could one recite a third of the Quran in a night?

The Prophet (PBUH) said:” ‘Say: He is Allah, One (Surat Al-Ikhlas) is equivalent to a third of the Quran.” (Sahih Muslim 811a)

2. Surah Al-Ikhlas is a Reason for Accepting your Prayers

The Prophet (PBUH) once heard a man praying to Allah by His names in Kitab Tafsir Surah Al Ikhlas. 

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then said: ‘He has asked Allah by His Greatest Name, which if He is asked thereby He gives, and if He is called upon thereby He answers.'” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3857)

3. Surah Al-Ikhlas is a Reason for Forgiving your Sins

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once entered the masjid and saw a man who was asking Allah by His names in Surah Ikhlas to forgive his sins.

The Prophet (PBUH) then said: He was forgiven (repeating three times). (Sunan Abi Dawud 985)

4. Allah Loves those who Love reciting Surah Ikhlas

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) sent a man in charge of a troop. This man would recite for his companions during their prayer, in which he usually ends his recitation with Surat Al Ikhlas.

When they returned, the companions mentioned that to the Prophet (PBUH), where he told them to ask him why he had done like that. The man said: “It is an attribute of Allah, and for this reason, I love to recite it.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) thereupon said: “Inform him that Allah loves him.” ( Sahih Muslim 813)

5. Loving surah Ikhlas leads to entering Paradise

A man once told Prophet Muhammed that he loves Tafsir Surah Al Ikhlas Bahasa Melayu. The Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Your love of it will bring you into paradise.” (Mishkat al-Masabih 2130)

6. Reading Surat Al-Ikhlas Builds a palace in Paradise

Prophet Muhamed (PBUH) said that Allah would build a palace in Paradise for those who recite Surah Ikhlas ten times and more for more. (Mishkat al-Masabih 2185)

7. Reading Surat Al-Ikhlas is a protection against Satan and Evil

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) stated that reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas and Al- Mu’awwidhatain (Surah Al-Falaq and Surah Al-Nas) three times in the morning and at night protects you against everything. (Riyad as-Salihin 1456)

Note: read our article about the Tafseer of surah al-Fatiha and the wonderful lessons and benefits you could learn from surah al-Fatihah. For Further surahs, read Best Tafseer Surah Al-Naas – Maksud, Benefits, And Lessons.

You can also read:

• The benefits and Virtues of Surah Al-Masad – Comprehensive Tafseer
• Learn All About Surah Al-Fil – 2022 Best Guide
• Tafseer Surah Al-Kawthar, Asbab Al-Nuzul, Maksud, Lessons, and Benefits
• Top Benefits and Virtues of Surah Al-Nasr – Comprehensive Tafseer

Conclusion | What Is The General Meaning of Surah Al-Ikhlas?

Surah Al-Ikhlas is a great small Surah that briefed the Islamic Aqeeda in a few verses. It has so many virtues mentioned in Sunnah owing to its speech of Allah’s attributes and oneness. This Surah was revealed in response to the polytheists who ignorantly asked about Allah’s lineage. However, Surah Al-Ikhlas is a guide for every Muslim and every human being on the proper and correct faith. 

If you want to learn Quran online, Surah Institute provides the best online tutors to teach Quran and Tafseer to non-Arabic speakers worldwide in simple yet professional ways. Join us now!