The Prophet (ﷺ) said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (Surat Al-Ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an."
Virtues of the Qur'an - Sahih al-Bukhari 5015
The Prophet's statement regarding Surah Al-Ikhlas being equivalent to one-third of the Qur'an demonstrates the profound weight of this chapter's theological content. This hadith establishes that the affirmation of Allah's absolute Oneness (Tawhid) constitutes the foundational third of Islamic belief.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars explain that the Qur'an comprises three essential themes: Tawhid (Divine Unity), Ahkam (Legal Rulings), and Qasas (Narratives). Surah Al-Ikhlas comprehensively addresses the first theme by affirming Allah's unique attributes - His self-sufficiency, eternal nature, and incomparability.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that this equivalence is both in reward and spiritual weight, not in physical length. The chapter's concise yet comprehensive nature makes it accessible for nightly recitation while carrying immense spiritual merit.
Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that the Prophet's rhetorical question aimed to highlight the accessibility of great rewards through relatively easy acts of worship, encouraging consistency in devotion without overwhelming the believers.
Practical Implications
This teaching encourages Muslims to frequently recite Surah Al-Ikhlas in their nightly prayers (Tahajjud) and daily remembrances, understanding its tremendous spiritual value equivalent to reciting one-third of the entire Qur'an.
The hadith also teaches about making worship manageable and accessible, reflecting Islam's principle of ease in religious practice while maintaining the pursuit of excellence in devotion.