A man heard another man reciting: Surat-ul-Ikhlas (The Unity) 'Say: He is Allah, the One (112) and he was repeating it. The next morning he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and mentioned the whole story to him as if he regarded the recitation of that Sura as insufficient On that, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is! That (Sura No. 112) equals one-third of the Qur'an."
Hadith Commentary: The Excellence of Surah al-Ikhlas
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (6643) demonstrates the immense virtue of Surah al-Ikhlas. The Companion's concern about repetitive recitation reflects his desire for comprehensive worship, unaware of this chapter's unique status.
Scholarly Interpretation
Imam al-Qurtubi explains that Surah al-Ikhlas equals one-third of the Qur'an because it comprehensively establishes Allah's Oneness (Tawhid), which constitutes the fundamental message of revelation. The Qur'an's themes divide into: legislation, narratives, and divine attributes - this surah perfectly encapsulates the latter.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that the Prophet's oath "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is!" emphasizes the absolute certainty of this reward, indicating its authenticity beyond ordinary comprehension.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes that reciting Surah al-Ikhlas three times earns reward equivalent to completing the entire Qur'an. Scholars like Imam al-Nawawi affirm this applies to recitation during voluntary prayers and devotional practices.
The incident teaches that outward appearance of worship may not reflect its true spiritual weight. What seemed minimal repetition to the observer carried monumental value in divine scales.
Practical Application
Muslims should frequently recite Surah al-Ikhlas in their daily prayers, especially in Sunnah rak'ahs and night prayers. Its conciseness makes it accessible while its reward makes it indispensable for spiritual cultivation.
This narration encourages believers to seek knowledge about the virtues of various Qur'anic chapters to optimize their devotional practices and understand the wisdom behind Islamic teachings.