A man heard another man reciting (Surat-Al-Ikhlas) 'Say He is Allah, (the) One.' (112. 1) repeatedly. The next morning he came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and informed him about it as if he thought that it was not enough to recite. On that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "By Him in Whose Hand my life is, this Surah is equal to one-third of the Qur'an!"
Virtues of the Qur'an - Sahih al-Bukhari 5013
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari highlights the immense virtue of Surah Al-Ikhlas, demonstrating how a companion initially underestimated its significance, only to be corrected by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) himself.
Scholarly Commentary
The companion's initial doubt reflects human nature, where quantity is sometimes mistakenly valued over quality in worship. The Prophet's emphatic oath "By Him in Whose Hand my life is" underscores the absolute certainty and importance of this declaration.
Scholars explain that Surah Al-Ikhlas equals one-third of the Qur'an because it comprehensively establishes Tawhid (Divine Oneness) - the fundamental message of all revelation. Just as the Qur'an primarily addresses three themes: Tawhid, legislation, and narratives, this surah perfectly encapsulates the essence of Tawhid.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: "When the Prophet (ﷺ) said it equals one-third of the Qur'an, he meant in reward, not that it replaces reciting other portions." This understanding preserves both the special status of Al-Ikhlas while maintaining the obligation to engage with the entire Qur'an.
Practical Implications
This hadith teaches us that the value of recitation lies not in length but in understanding the profound meanings contained within concise passages. It encourages Muslims to reflect deeply on the meanings of short surahs rather than merely pursuing lengthy recitations without contemplation.
The incident also demonstrates the proper etiquette of seeking knowledge - when in doubt about religious matters, one should refer to authentic sources rather than rely on personal opinion.