سُوْرَةُ الْاِخْلَاصِ
Surah Al-Ikhlaas (112) — Ayah 2
ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ ﴿2﴾
Translation by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan & Dr. Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali
"Allâh-us-Samad (السيد الذي يصمد إليه في الحاجات) [Allâh the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)].
Word by Word — Arabic, Transliteration & Meaning
ٱللَّهُ
al-lahu
Allah
ٱلصَّمَدُ
l-ṣamadu
the Eternal, the Absolute
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran — Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani
Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.
2. Allah, the Self-Sufficient [3].
[3]
The Meaning of ﴿صمد﴾ and the Difference Between ﴿صمد﴾ and Ghani:
There are two fundamental aspects found in ﴿صَمَدٌ﴾:
(1) Something being solid and firm.
(2) People from all sides turn towards it.
And ﴿الصَّمَدُ﴾ is such an entity that is self-subsisting and self-sustaining. It is not in need of anyone, but all other creation is in need of it. For the one who is free of need, the Arabic word "Ghani" is also used, and its opposite is "Faqir." Ghani is one who is not in need of anyone else, but this word is used only in the context of being free of need in matters of wealth and riches, and Ghani refers to a wealthy person, i.e., at least one who is so wealthy that he does not need others for his livelihood. Whereas the word ﴿صمد﴾ is used in the sense of being free of need in all aspects, and others are in need of it in all aspects as well. For example, Allah is free of need from eating and drinking, and also from sleeping and resting. He is not in need of anyone for His life and existence. But all other creation is in need of Allah for every single thing—sustenance, health, life, healing, children, even for their own existence. There is no good thing for which the creation is not in need of its Creator.
[3]
The Meaning of ﴿صمد﴾ and the Difference Between ﴿صمد﴾ and Ghani:
There are two fundamental aspects found in ﴿صَمَدٌ﴾:
(1) Something being solid and firm.
(2) People from all sides turn towards it.
And ﴿الصَّمَدُ﴾ is such an entity that is self-subsisting and self-sustaining. It is not in need of anyone, but all other creation is in need of it. For the one who is free of need, the Arabic word "Ghani" is also used, and its opposite is "Faqir." Ghani is one who is not in need of anyone else, but this word is used only in the context of being free of need in matters of wealth and riches, and Ghani refers to a wealthy person, i.e., at least one who is so wealthy that he does not need others for his livelihood. Whereas the word ﴿صمد﴾ is used in the sense of being free of need in all aspects, and others are in need of it in all aspects as well. For example, Allah is free of need from eating and drinking, and also from sleeping and resting. He is not in need of anyone for His life and existence. But all other creation is in need of Allah for every single thing—sustenance, health, life, healing, children, even for their own existence. There is no good thing for which the creation is not in need of its Creator.
