Surah Al-Ikhlas-Part 1

The first ayah (verse) of Surah (Chapter) Ikhlas (Sincerity/Purity). This short chapter of the Quran is often referred to as equal to 1/3 of the Quran because it sums up the message of the Quran so concisely. The fascinating thing about the Quran is that not only do we have it in its original, word-for-word form preserved perfectly in its original language-the language Allah chose to reveal his final message in—, but we also have documented evidence behind every verse’s revelation, the context of when and why it was revealed. For this verse, Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally Besought of all…) [112:1-4]. Qatadah, al-Dahhak and Muqatil said: “A group of Jewish people went to the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, and said to him: 'Describe to us your Lord, for He has revealed His description in the Torah. Tell us: what is He made of? And to which species does He belong? Is He made of gold, copper or silver? Does He eat and drink? Who did He inherit this world from? And to whom will He bequeath it?' And so Allah, gloried and exalted is He, revealed this Surah. It is Allah's specific lineage.They asked “What is the lineage of your Lord?” and so Allah, exalted is He, revealed (Say: He is Allah, the One! Allah, the eternally Besought of all). The eternally Besought of all (al-Samad) is Him Who (begetteth not nor was begotten) for anyone who is begotten will certainly die and whoever dies will be inherited. Allah does not die nor is He inherited. (And there is none comparable unto Him), He does not have anyone who resembles Him or is like Him (Naught is as His likeness…) [42:11].