The adequate answer
In a Hadīth that was mentioned by Al-Bayhaqi and graded as Hasan (sound) by Al-Hāfizh, Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: “The Jews came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: ‘O Muhammad, name for us the lineage of your Lord Who has sent you.’So, Allah Almighty revealed:
Say: “He is Allah, the Only One.Allah, the Eternal Refuge.He has not begotten and has not been begotten .And there is none like unto Him.”
[Suratal-Ikhlās: 1-4]
It is a short Surah that comprises Allah’s attributes of perfection and majesty.
Given the greatness of this Surah, its recitation is like reciting one third of the Qur’an. The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to his Companions:
“‘Is anyone of you unable to recite one third of the Qur’an in one night?’ They said: ‘How could anyone recite one third of the Qur’an?’ He said: ‘Surat al-Ikhlās equals one third of the Qur’an.’”
[Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim; this is the wording of Muslim]
Some scholars said: “The Qur’an was revealed in three parts: one third is about the rulings, another is about the promise and threat, and the last third is about the names and attributes of Allah. Surat al-Ikhlās comprises one of those thirds, i.e. the names and attributes of Allah. Hence, the reward of its recitation is made equivalent to the reward of reciting one third of the Qur’an.”
A Companion used to recite Surat al-Ikhlās in all the prayers in which he led his companions. So, they mentioned that to the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) who said: “Ask him why he does that.” They asked him and he said:
“Because it comprises the attributes of the Most Compassionate, and I like to recite it.” Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Tell him that Allah Almighty loves him.”
[Narrated by Al-Bukhāri]
