Seerat Shahina
Karachi
The Great Surah Of The Holy Quran - Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha means “The Opening or opener”. It is the first chapter of the Holy Quran, and serves as a gateway to read Quran further. Every word and expression used in this Surah is unique in itself. Al-Fatiha introduces the Quran which is a direction for taking out from darkness to light. The Quran is considered to be the elaboration of the basic principles and the theme of this Surah. It covers all the major subjects of the Quran and facts of nature and science. Al-Fatiha clarifies the concept of Unity of God, (Uluuhiyat and `Rubuubiyat) that determines moral and spiritual values which the religion assigns to life. It`s immense importance in Islam can be evaluated from the fact that it is indeed a prerequisite of every prayer. There is no doubt that it is one of the most important surahs in the Quran, and we would be well-served to memorize it and recite it often.
Although, all the revelations of the Holy Quran serve as a means of enlightenment, but some of its chapters are considered very significant because of some particular reasons. Surah Al-Fatiha is one of those which holds special status, and Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
“And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven
of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an.” 15: 87
The above-mentioned ayah shows that God, the High Exalted, has regarded this Surah so high that it is mentioned along with the rest of the entire Quranic revelations. The phrase “Seven of the often-repeated verses” also describes the great importance of this chapter, as it is the essential part of daily Prayers and has to be recited every day.
“Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said: “Whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid”. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol-I, Hadith No. 723).
Al-Fatiha was revealed in Mecca. It is very simple, precise and concise surah for prayer; and supplication but the seven verses contain very vast information.
Translation of Surah Al- Fatiha
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds
The All-compassionate, the All-merciful.
Master of Day of Judgement
You[alone] do we worship, and You[alone] do we ask for help
Guide us to the straight path
The path of those whom You have favored, with whom You are not angry, nor who are lost.”
Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) once said:
“Allah, the Glorious and Exalted said, “I have divided the prayer between Myself and my servant equally and My servant shall be granted what he asked for.” Therefore, when the servant says, ‘All praises and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds’, Allah says, ‘My servant has praised Me.’ When he says, ’The All-Merciful, the Most Merciful, ‘Allah says, ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ When he says, ‘Master of the Day of Judgment,’ Allah says, ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ When he says, ‘You Alone we worship and Your aid Alone do we seek,’ Allah says, ‘this is between Me and My servant and My servant shall have what he requested.’ When he says, ‘Guide us to the Straight Path, the Path of those whom You have favored, Allah says, ‘this is for My servant and My servant shall have what he asked for.’ “(Muslim)
Surah Al Fatiha is a powerful prayer from us to our Lord, where we invoke His most beautiful names, seek His help and guidance and ask Him to shower His blessings upon us. When one states that all praise is due to Almighty Allah alone, in fact he/she acknowledges that only He has all the attributes of perfection, only He is the bestower of all the bounties that any of His creation enjoys and He is the only one who deserves to be worshipped.
There are different names given to this Surah. Each name of Al-Fatiha emphasizes a particular aspect of its importance. Some of them are:
o Umm ul-Quran/Kitab: (Mother of the Quran/Book)
Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrated the Messenger of Allah(Pbuh) saying as: “The chapter commencing with, All praises and thanks are due to Allah the Lord of the Worlds is the Mother of the Quran, the Mother of the Book, the Seven Oft Repeated Verses and the Great Quran.” (Tirmidhi)
o Asaasul Quran: (the Basis of the Quran)
o Waafia: because it is recited as a whole Surah in the prayer
o As-Salaah: It is compulsory to be recited in each Raka'a of the prayer
o Al-Hamd: (Praises to Allah): it contains the adoration of the Almighty Lord
o Ash-Shifa: (The Cure):
Abu Sa’id reported that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said, “The Opening of the Book is a cure to every poison.” (Ad-Darimi)
o Ar-Ruqya: (the Spiritual Cure/ the Remedy)
Abu Sa’id reported that after he had recited it to cure a person who had been bitten by a scorpion, the Apostle (Saw) of God asked him, “…And what made you to know that it was a Ruqya.” (Bukhari)
The whole Surah Al-Fatiha is a comprehensive dua/supplication, so it is recommended to say Aameen after finishing the recitation of Al-Fatiha. Aameen means, Our Lord! surely, we believe, accept our invocation.