The term ʿadl of a thing—pronounced with the fatḥa—refers to something different in kind yet equal in worth, as in the Almighty’s words: “or an equivalent in fasting” (Q 5:95).

This indicates that the reward carried by Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ equals a third of the Qur’an in quantity, though not in quality—much like a man who possesses a thousand gold dinars and another who owns their equivalent value in silver, copper, or the like.

For that very reason a person still needs the rest of the Qur’an; this sūrah alone can never suffice, just as someone who holds only one form of wealth still requires other kinds. The servant is ever in need of commands, prohibitions, and narratives.

Sūrat “Say: He is Allah, One” embodies doctrinal and practical tawḥīd grounded in the Divine Names and Attributes. Hence the Exalted says: “Say: He is Allah, One—Allah, the Eternal Refuge” (Q 112:1–2). We have discussed this at length elsewhere.

As for Sūrat “Say: O disbelievers,” it sets out the practical tawḥīd of intention and resolve, as in His words: “Say: O disbelievers—I do not worship what you worship” (Q 109:1–2).

By this criterion one distinguishes the worshipper of Allah from the worshipper of anything else, even though both may acknowledge that Allah is the Lord of all things; thus the distinction becomes clear