A man heard another man reciting "Say, He is Allah, One" He was repeating it. When the next morning came, he went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and mentioned to him. The man tool it (this surah) as a small one. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, it is equivalent to a third of the Qur'an.
Hadith Commentary: The Merit of Surah Al-Ikhlas
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 1461 highlights the immense virtue of Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112), which begins with "Say, He is Allah, One." The companion initially considered it a "small" surah due to its brevity, but the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) affirmed its tremendous value by swearing by Allah that it equals one-third of the Qur'an.
Scholarly Explanation of the Merit
Classical scholars explain that Surah Al-Ikhlas encompasses the fundamental Islamic doctrine of Tawhid (Allah's Oneness) - the core message of the entire Qur'an. Imam Al-Qurtubi states that while the Qur'an addresses three primary themes: Tawhid, legislation, and narratives, Surah Al-Ikhlas comprehensively covers Tawhid, thus meriting this description.
Ibn Taymiyyah elaborates that the Qur'an's greatness stems from its exposition of Tawhid, and since this surah purely establishes Allah's absolute Oneness, it rightfully holds this status. This doesn't mean reciting it replaces reading the entire Qur'an for reward in all aspects, but rather that its theological content equals one-third of the Qur'an's essential message.
Practical Implications for Worship
This hadith encourages Muslims to frequently recite Surah Al-Ikhlas in their prayers and voluntary worship. Many scholars recommend reciting it three times in the morning and evening prayers to attain the reward of completing the entire Qur'an. Its recitation in the Witr prayer (Kitab Al-Salat) is particularly emphasized, as it reinforces the fundamental belief in Allah's Oneness before concluding one's nightly prayers.
The narration also teaches us not to judge the value of Islamic texts by their length but by their content and spiritual significance. What may appear "small" in quantity can be immense in quality and reward from Allah.