The unbelievers of Arab used to raise various questions about Allah in the court of the Holiest Rasool . Some would ask, ‘What is the lineage and family of Allah ? Who did He get lordship in legacy from? Who will be His heir?’ Someone asked whether Allah is made of gold or silver, iron or wood? Someone asked, ‘What does Allah eat and drink?’
In response to these questions, Allah revealed Surah Al-Ikhlas unto His Beloved Rasool and illuminated the path towards His recognition by declaring His Being and Attributes. Through this Divine declaration, He removed the darkness of ignorant thoughts in which those people were trapped in.
(I’afseer Khaza’in-ul-‘Irfan, pp. 1086; part 30, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Ayah 1)
Allah mentioned:
Say you (0 Beloved), ‘He iJ; Allah, He is One. Allah is The Independent. He has no children, nor is He born from anyone. And there is no one equal to Him.’
[Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)J (Part 30, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Ayah 1-4)
Moral:
In these few Ayahs of Surah Al-Ikhlas, Allah has mentioned knowledge of divinity so concisely that the description of the meanings which it contains may constitute a big library. Allah is the Most Magnificent and the Most Perfect in His attributes of being Rab. He cannot be exemplified by analogy or imagery. He has no associate. He does not eat or drink anything. He is not dependent upon anyone. On the other hand, everyone else is dependent upon Him. He has always existed and will continue to exist forever. To be born is an attribute of Haadis [i.e. the one who did not exist previously and came into existence later on]. Therefore, He is neither son of anyone, nor father of anyone. There is no one like or similar to Him in any respect.
There are many Ahadees narrating the excellence and virtues of this Surah. It has been declared to be equivalent to one third of the Holy Quran, meaning if this Surah is recited thrice, then the reward for reciting the whole Holy Quran will be provided.
A person humbly said to the Holy Rasool, ‘I have a great love for this Surah.’ It was replied, ‘Its love will make you enter the Paradise.’ (Iafseer Khaza ‘in-ul-‘Irfan, pp. 1086; part 30, Surah Al-Ikhlas, Ayah 1)
