Title: The Meaning of Surah Al-Ikhlaas Question: Explain the meaning of Surah Al-Ikhlaas . Answer: Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) and Surah Al-Lahab (111) form a pair, which complement the subject matter of each other. On the basis of their placement in the Qur'an and their subject matter, it seems that both these Surahs were revealed immediately before the Hijrah (i.e. the migration) of the Prophet (pbuh). A close look at these Surahs shows that the two Surahs are basically a twofold declaration. The first Surah predicts the annihilation of the polytheistic forces. While the second Surah directs the Prophet (pbuh) to declare in a most decisive and a most precise manner the belief of Tawheed in front of the polytheists of Mecca, as well as the Jews and the Christians who were secretly supporting the rejecters of Mecca, so that all hope of reconciliation between the rival groups be washed away, for good. Thus, the two Surahs , in combination, declare that the mutual rivalry between the two groups - the followers of the Prophet and his adversaries from among the Polytheists, the Jews or the Christians - that had begun with the proclamation of the Prophet (pbuh)'s message shall end with the prevalence of the forces that represent the Almighty - the One God. The central theme of the two Surahs is as follows: Although the Prophet (pbuh) is forced to leave the holy city of Mecca in a helpless state, yet it won't be long when Abu Lahab [1] and his partners shall face the consequences of their rejection of God's message. They shall be annihilated and then they shall face the everlasting tortures of the hellfire. With this annihilation of the polytheistic forces, the message of the Prophet (pbuh) - the message of pure Tawheed (i.e. oneness of god) shall prevail in the Arabian Peninsula. With this brief introduction in perspective, let us now take a look at a simple translation of Surah Al-Ikhlas . The Qur'an says: Declare [O Prophet, that] that God is unique. God is the Rock [that provides shelter to everyone]. He is neither anyone's father nor a son. And no one is equal to Him. "God is Unique", means that He is distinctly separate from everyone. He is not like anyone else. No one is even remotely similar to Him. " Samad ", is used for the rock, which provides shelter from the attacking enemy. God has been referred to as the "Rock" that provides shelter and saves from the enemy, at numerous instances in the Bible as well [2] . Thus, the first two verses state that although God is separate and distinct from all His creation, He is not similar to anything, and nor related to anyone, yet He is not heedless and inconsiderate of His creation. He is their shelter and savior. Neither is He begotten by anyone, nor does He beget. And no one is even close to being equal to Him. The relation of the Creation with the Created is neither that of a father, nor of a son or a partner. This relationship is that of the worshippers and the Worshiped - The Master and His submitting servants. 4 th July 1999 [1] Representing the polytheistic religious leadership of the Quraish [2] For instance, see: Genesis 49: 24, Deuteronomy 32: 4, 15, 18, 30, 1Samuel 2: 2, 2Samuel 22: 32, 2 Samuel 22: 47, 2Samuel 23: 3, Psalms 18: 2, 31, 46, Psalms 19: 14, Psalms 28: 1, Psalms 42: 9, Psalms 62: 2, 6, Psalms 78: 35, Psalms 89: 26 etc.