A’ishah (ra) said, “The Prophet (pbuh) sent a man as the commander of a war expedition and he used to lead his companions in prayer with recitation (of the Qur’an), and he would complete his recitation with the recitation of ‘Say: He is Allah, One.’ So when they returned they mentioned that to the Prophet (pbuh) and he (pbuh) said, “Ask him why he does that.” So they asked him and he said, ‘Because it is the description of Ar-Rahman (Allah) and I love to recite it. So the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Inform him that Allah the Most High loves him.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
[Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Commentary:
In another narration Anas (ra) said, “A man from the Ansaar used to lead the people in prayer in the Masjid of Quba’. Whenever he began a Surah in the recitation of the prayer that he was leading them, he would start by reciting ‘Say: He is Allah, One’ until he completed the entire Surah. Then he would recite another Surah along with it (after it), and used to do this in every Rak’ah.
So his companions spoke to him about this saying; ‘Verily, you begin the prayer with this Surah. Then you think that it is not sufficient for you unless you recite another Surah as well. So you should either recite it or leave it and recite another Surah instead.’ The man replied, ‘I will not leave it off. If you want me to continue leading you (in prayer), I will do this; and if you all do not like it, I will leave you (i.e., I will stop leading you).’ They used to consider him to be of the best of them to lead them in prayer and they did not want anyone else to lead them other than him.
So, when the Prophet (pbuh) came they informed him of this information and he (pbuh) said, “O so-and-so! What prevents you from doing what your companions are commanding you to do, and what makes you adhere to the recitation of this Surah in every Rak’ah.” The man said, ‘Verily, I love it.’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Your love of it will cause you to enter Paradise.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
These above ahadith highlight the virtues and importance of this great Surah. Some scholars have highlighted the eminence of Surat Al-Ikhlas by saying that it comprises the whole discipline of Tawheed.
And Allah knows best!
So his companions spoke to him about this saying; ‘Verily, you begin the prayer with this Surah. Then you think that it is not sufficient for you unless you recite another Surah as well. So you should either recite it or leave it and recite another Surah instead.’ The man replied, ‘I will not leave it off. If you want me to continue leading you (in prayer), I will do this; and if you all do not like it, I will leave you (i.e., I will stop leading you).’ They used to consider him to be of the best of them to lead them in prayer and they did not want anyone else to lead them other than him.
So, when the Prophet (pbuh) came they informed him of this information and he (pbuh) said, “O so-and-so! What prevents you from doing what your companions are commanding you to do, and what makes you adhere to the recitation of this Surah in every Rak’ah.” The man said, ‘Verily, I love it.’ The Prophet (pbuh) replied, “Your love of it will cause you to enter Paradise.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
These above ahadith highlight the virtues and importance of this great Surah. Some scholars have highlighted the eminence of Surat Al-Ikhlas by saying that it comprises the whole discipline of Tawheed.
And Allah knows best!
