ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ 2
Translations
Allāh, the Eternal Refuge.
Transliteration
Allahu as-Samad
Tafsir (Explanation)
As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient, The Eternal, The One with no needs) describes Allah's absolute self-sufficiency and independence from creation. According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, this attribute emphasizes that Allah is completely free from need, hunger, sleep, and dependency—unlike all created beings who are utterly dependent upon Him for their existence and sustenance. This ayah establishes the fundamental Islamic doctrine that Allah alone possesses absolute perfection and completeness, requiring nothing from anyone.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Ikhlas was revealed in Mecca in response to the pagans' questions about Allah's attributes and genealogy. This ayah directly refutes polytheistic misconceptions by affirming Allah's unique, self-sufficient nature that cannot be compared to created beings or false deities.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The most excellent names of Allah are ninety-nine... whoever preserves them shall enter Paradise.' (Sahih Bukhari 2736). Additionally, the Prophet encouraged recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlas, stating it equals one-third of the Quran in reward (Sahih Muslim 814).
Themes
Key Lesson
Understanding Allah as As-Samad cultivates the recognition that all worldly reliance should ultimately rest in God alone, freeing the believer from the anxiety of depending on creation. This knowledge transforms one's relationship with worship from seeking reward or fear of punishment to pure submission based on recognizing Allah's absolute worthiness of devotion.
Related Ayahs
لَّا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَـٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًا مَّخْذُولًا
Do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity and [thereby] become censured and forsaken.
فَاطِرُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا وَمِنَ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ أَزْوَٰجًا ۖ يَذْرَؤُكُمْ فِيهِ ۚ لَيْسَ كَمِثْلِهِۦ شَىْءٌ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ
[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
شَهِدَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْعِلْمِ قَآئِمًۢا بِٱلْقِسْطِ ۚ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
Allāh witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ۩
Allāh - there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Great Throne."