"I heard Abu Hurairah say: 'I came back (from a journey) with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he heard a man reciting 'Say: He is Allah, (the) One, Allah-us-Samad (the Self-Sufficient Master). He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable unto Him.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'It is guaranteed.' We asked him: 'What, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'Paradise.'"
Hadith Text & Context
"I heard Abu Hurairah say: 'I came back (from a journey) with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he heard a man reciting 'Say: He is Allah, (the) One, Allah-us-Samad (the Self-Sufficient Master). He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none equal or comparable unto Him.' The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'It is guaranteed.' We asked him: 'What, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'Paradise.'"
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i (994) in The Book of the Commencement of the Prayer demonstrates the profound merit of Surah al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112).
Exegesis of the Narration
The Prophet's return journey setting indicates this occurred during travel, when spiritual awareness is heightened. Hearing spontaneous Quranic recitation pleased him, particularly this fundamental declaration of Allah's absolute Oneness.
The term "wajabat" (guaranteed) carries legal weight in Islamic terminology, meaning something becomes obligatory or firmly established. Here it signifies the certain reward for the reciter.
Virtues of Surah al-Ikhlas
This chapter encompasses the pure essence of Tawhid (Divine Unity), repudiating all forms of polytheism. Its comprehensive description of Allah's attributes makes it equivalent to one-third of the Quran in merit, as established in other authentic narrations.
The guarantee of Paradise stems from the chapter's profound theological content - whoever internalizes its meaning and recites it with conviction affirms the core Islamic creed.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
Scholars derive that frequent recitation of Surah al-Ikhlas, with proper understanding and conviction, can be a means of attaining Divine pleasure and ultimate salvation.
The narration encourages Muslims to make this chapter a regular part of their devotional practice, particularly in prayers, given its appearance in Sunan an-Nasa'i's "Book of the Commencement of the Prayer."