This Surah is regarded as one third of the Quran because of all-embracing coverage of the doctrine of Oneness.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:

"By Him (Allah) in Whose hand my soul is, it (Al-Ikhlaas) is equal to one-third of the Quran." (Bukhari, 9-471)

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) asked the people to gather and said: "I shall recite to you a third of the Quran."

When the people had congregated, he recited Surah Al-Ikhlaas and said:

"This is equal to a third of the Quran." (Muslim)

Commentators have explained above Ahaadiith (Traditions) in many ways. The Diin (Comprehensive Code of life) presented by the Quran is based on three doctrines: Tawhiid (Oneness of Only Allah Alone), Risaalat (Prophethood), and Aakhirah (Hereafter: Resurrection, Accountability).

S.A.A.Maududi explains this in The Meaning of the Quran, (Vol.XVI, pp.336):

"But in our opinion it simply means that the religion presented by the Quran is based on three doctrines: Tauhiid, Apostleship and the Hereafter. This Surah teaches Tauhiid, pure and undefiled. Therefore, the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) regarded it as equal to one third of the Quran."

Pure Tauhiid (Oneness) forms the basic theme of the Quran besides other important major themes like science of creation and existence, fundamental laws of sustaining cosmos and all creation, and development of human personality and society. Above Hadiith (Tradition), in over all context of the Quran, highlights importance of this basic theme of the Quran. It does not prescribe mere recitation of it thrice in place of the whole of the Quran, to be equal to it. In view of its immense importance, its repetition is prescribed to understand and make it the basis of all belief and action. Mere repetition of any one Aayah (Verse), Surah (Chapter) or Paarah (Section) of the Quran, a number of times, does not replace or substitute the whole substance, content and spirit of the Quran in its entirely. The whole of the Quran is so integrated that its verses, every word and vowel support each other in its total environment and context. Polytheistic conjecture has been refuted in Surah Ikhlaas precisely, which has been rejected at many places in the Quran, e.g.: 4-171, 37-151 & 152, 158, 43-15, 6-100 & 101, 21-26, 10-68, 23-91. In fact, the precisely concise statement made in this earlier Meccan Surah (Ikhlaas)), laid foundation for raising high all philosophy and argument about Tauhiid, in the Quran, and for its application in all aspects of life. Therefore, its application should not be reduced to just making amulets, etc.

Climax of the Basic Theme

Tauhiid is the essence of all subjects of the Quran. Al-Ikhlaas is climax of the total theme of the Quran. Placement of Al-Ikhlaas in the scheme of arrangement of Surahs, elevates the argument of the Quran to its apex. The last two Surahs after it, strengthen this theme further, inculcating them into basic aspects of life. This Surah sums up, in a few terse words, the Unity of Allah, although frequently recited but, its essence lost in polytheistic practices and ritual. Understanding of this Surah, basically saves from polytheism (shirk).

T.B.Irving says:

"These four Makkan verses were revealed after the last chapter in the Book, 'Mankind' 114, and before 'The Star' 53.it is a strong declaration against the Godhead being looked upon as consisting of more than one person or God's having any son. The title Al-Ikhlaas, one of the divine attributes, is the direct opposite to shirk or the sin of association, and involves freeing oneself from such impure worship through pure faith.but its stark simplicity is not always appreciated by non-Muslims, nor translated clearly." (T.B.Irving, A Translation of the Meaning of the Noble Quran, (the first American version, p.LXIII) Abdullah Yusuf Ali has given following foot note in explanation to this Surah:

6296. (112-1): "The Nature of Allah is here indicated to us in a few words, such as we can understand. The qualities of Allah are described in numerous places elsewhere also, e.g., in 59-22 to 24, 62-1, and 2-255. Here we are specially taught to avoid the pitfalls into which men and nations have fallen at various times in trying to understand Allah."

M.M.M.Shafi (Ma'ariful Quran, pp.916-917) explains this position:

"Among the unbelievers, several types may be identified. There is a group that denies the very existence of God (the atheists). Another group believes in the existence of God, but denies that His Existence is 'Necessary.' A third group believes in God's existence and in His Existence as 'Necessary', but denies His Attributes of Perfection. A fourth group believes in God's Necessary Existence and in His Attributes of Perfection but denies Oneness of God and believes in and worships more than one gods and goddesses, and thus practices polytheism. Verse 112-1 refutes vehemently all such false belief systems. Verse 112-2 refers to the practices of those who do worship Allah alone, but believe that there are also other helpers who can fulfill their needs, desires and ambitions. The Divine Attribute As-Samad denounces outright any such notion. A fifth group ascribes children to Allah and the phrase lam yalid (He neither begot anyone) repudiates this notion of theirs in the strongest terms." Thomas Cleary says that this Surah is "regarded as a classic statement of the absolute unity of God".

Explanations to different aspects of Oneness of Allah, highlighted in this Surah, are spread all over the Quran, e.g., 2-28 & 29, and particularly 16-17, 21-22, 17-42, 23-91.