to its end.”

Muslim also narrated from Abū al-Dardā’ that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Is it beyond any of you to recite one-third of the Quran in a single night?” He said, “‘Say, He is Allah, the One’ {1} is equivalent to one-third of the Quran.”

‘Ā’ishah reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, placed a man in command of a detachment. He would lead his companions in prayer, concluding his recitation with “‘Say, He is Allah, the One’ {1}.” When they returned, they mentioned this to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He said, “Ask him why he does that.” They asked him, and he replied, “It describes the Most Merciful—glorious is He—and I love to recite it.” The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Tell him that Allah loves him.” Reported by al-Bukhārī and Muslim.

Some scholars have said that it is one-third of the Quran because the Quran consists of three parts: one concerning Allah’s oneness, one containing narratives, and one containing commands and prohibitions. This surah concerns Allah’s oneness. This explanation holds only if it is