The Majestic Quran

112. Al-Ikhlas Sincere Faith This Makkan chapter succinctly summarises Quranic teachings about Tawhid , the Oneness of God and the core of Islamic faith: all power, glory and control is in the hands of the Almighty Lord. I have translated Al-Samad as “The Eternal”. He is the aim and goal of everything, since He is the Master of all and the final refuge. Everything depends upon Him, but He is independent of all, and He is the final cause of all causes. The chapter concisely conveys this message in four points: unique, Eternal, He is not a father nor a son. A brief but an effective refutation of idolatry. In the name of God, the Kind, the Caring. G , O 1 Say: “He is God, the One, 2 God the Eternal. 3 He is not a father nor a son. 4 None is equal to Him.” 1 Al-Ma‘un are small tools and utensils, implying that such people are so miserly that they cannot even lend these items to their close neighbours. 2 Literally childless, “finished” in the sense that he will have no surviving male heirs.