Ibn Masʿūd and others said that al-Samad is “the One who has no cavity within Him,” while al-Aḥad is “the One for whom there is no peer.” Hence the Name al-Samad conveys that He possesses every attribute of perfection and is utterly free of all deficiency, whereas the Name al-Aḥad conveys that nothing whatsoever resembles Him. We have already expounded the meaning of this sūrah and explained how it equals one-third of the Qur’an.

Allah Most High—Creator and Sovereign of Everything

Allah, exalted is He, is the Creator of all things and their Owner. Many people confuse the prescriptive, religious, faith-related truths with the creational, decreed, cosmic truths, even though Allah—glorified and exalted—alone possesses both creation and command, as He says:

“Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself above the Throne. He makes the night overtake the day, seeking it incessantly, and He subjected the sun, moon, and stars by His command. Surely, to Him belong the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.” ⦗Q 7:54⦘

Thus He—glory be to Him—is the Creator, Lord, and Master of everything. There is no creator besides Him and no lord other than He. Whatever He wills comes to be, and whatever He does not will never occurs. Every movement and every stillness that exists is by His decree, determination, will, power, and creation; and He, exalted is He, has commanded—