Surah Al-Ikhlas is one of the shortest chapters of the Quran in terms of verses, yet it holds a profound status because it focuses on one of the greatest foundations of Islamic belief: the oneness and perfection of Allah.

Many people ask: How many names does Surah Al-Ikhlas have? Scholars have mentioned numerous names for the Surah, with some sources listing around twenty. The best-known names include Surah Al-Ikhlas and Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad.

How Many Names Does Surah Al-Ikhlas Have?

Scholars have mentioned several names for Surah Al-Ikhlas, including:

• Surah Al-Ikhlas.
• Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad.
• Surah Al-Tawhid.
• Surah Al-Tafrid.
• Surah Al-Tajrid.
• Surah Al-Najah.
• Surah Al-Wilayah.
• Surah Al-Nisbah.
• Surah Al-Ma'rifah.
• Surah Al-Jamal.
• Surah Al-Muqashqishah.
• Surah Al-Mu'awwidhah.
• Surah Al-Samad.
• Surah Al-Asas.
• Surah Al-Mani'ah.
• Surah Al-Mahdar.
• Surah Al-Munaffirah.
• Surah Al-Mudhakkirah.
• Surah Al-Bara'ah.
• Surah Al-Nur.
• Surah Al-Aman.

These names reflect the profound meanings contained in the Surah, particularly the oneness of Allah, sincere worship, and His absolute perfection.

What Is the Most Famous Name of Surah Al-Ikhlas?

One of its most famous names is Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, taken from its opening words. It is also widely known as Surah Al-Ikhlas because of its emphasis on sincere and pure belief in Allah.

Why Is It Called Surah Al-Ikhlas?

The Surah is called Al-Ikhlas because it emphasizes sincere belief in the oneness of Allah and declares His absolute uniqueness.

Allah says:

“Say, He is Allah, One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born. Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

The Surah establishes that Allah is One and unique, perfect in His attributes, without a partner, equal, or likeness, and that He alone deserves worship.

Why Is It Called Surah Al-Tawhid?

It is also called Surah Al-Tawhid because it establishes the oneness of Allah, affirms His uniqueness, and highlights His names and attributes.

What Are the Virtues of Surah Al-Ikhlas?

Surah Al-Ikhlas has significant virtues established in the Prophetic tradition. Among its greatest virtues is that it equals one-third of the Quran in reward and meaning.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad is equal to one-third of the Quran.”

This means that the Surah has the reward and significance of one-third of the Quran; it does not mean that it replaces the actual recitation of one-third of the Quran in every context.

Loving Surah Al-Ikhlas and the Love of Allah

A man used to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas at the end of his prayer because he loved its description of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Tell him that Allah loves him.”

This demonstrates the virtue of loving the Surah because of its profound emphasis on Allah’s attributes and oneness.

Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas Before Sleeping

It is authentically reported that the Prophet ﷺ would gather his hands before sleeping, blow lightly into them, recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and Al-Nas, and then wipe over as much of his body as possible. He would repeat this three times.

These three chapters are commonly known as the Mu'awwidhat, and they are also recited as part of the morning and evening remembrance.

Surah Al-Ikhlas and Seeking Protection

The Prophetic tradition encourages reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas together with Al-Falaq and Al-Nas in the morning and evening.

Together, these chapters contain profound meanings of monotheism and seeking Allah’s protection from different forms of harm and evil.

Is Surah Al-Ikhlas Meccan or Medinan?

The commonly cited view among many Quranic commentators is that Surah Al-Ikhlas is a Meccan Surah.

It consists of four verses and is the 112th chapter of the Quran.

What Do the Names of Surah Al-Ikhlas Mean?

The multiple names associated with the Surah reflect its various meanings.

Surah Al-Najah

This name refers to the Surah’s emphasis on monotheism and sincere belief in Allah, while rejecting polytheism.

Surah Al-Wilayah

This name is associated with the concept of closeness and devotion to Allah through sincere faith and monotheism.

Surah Al-Samad

This name comes from the verse: “Allah, the Eternal Refuge.”

Surah Al-Asas

The name reflects the Surah’s focus on one of the fundamental principles of Islam: the oneness of Allah.

Surah Al-Bara'ah

This name reflects the rejection of polytheism and the declaration that Allah has no equal or likeness.

Does Surah Al-Ikhlas Equal One-Third of the Quran?

Yes. Authentic Prophetic reports establish that Surah Al-Ikhlas equals one-third of the Quran in reward and meaning.

However, this does not mean that reciting the Surah replaces physically reading one-third of the Quran when a specific amount of Quranic text is required.

Does Surah Al-Ikhlas Have Many Names?

Yes. Scholars have mentioned numerous names for Surah Al-Ikhlas, with some lists reaching around twenty names. The most widely recognized are Surah Al-Ikhlas, Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, and Surah Al-Tawhid.

Summary

Surah Al-Ikhlas is one of the Quran’s most profound chapters in meaning and virtue despite its short length. It establishes the oneness of Allah and declares His absolute uniqueness and perfection.

Scholars have mentioned numerous names for it, including Al-Ikhlas, Al-Tawhid, Al-Tafrid, Al-Najah, Al-Wilayah, Al-Samad, Al-Asas, and Al-Bara'ah, among others.

The Surah also has great virtues established in the Prophetic tradition, most notably that it equals one-third of the Quran in reward and meaning. Loving the Surah because of its description of Allah is also associated with the love of Allah.

How many names does Surah Al-Ikhlas have?

Scholars have mentioned numerous names, with some lists containing around twenty names.

What is the most famous name of Surah Al-Ikhlas?

Its most famous names are Surah Al-Ikhlas, Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad, and Surah Al-Tawhid.

Why is it called Surah Al-Ikhlas?

Because it focuses on sincere monotheism and declares Allah’s absolute uniqueness.

Does Surah Al-Ikhlas equal one-third of the Quran?

Yes, authentic Prophetic reports establish that it equals one-third of the Quran in reward and meaning.

How many verses are in Surah Al-Ikhlas?

Surah Al-Ikhlas consists of four verses.