Al-Fatihah

It is named Al-Fatihah, the Opening because it opens the Book and the recitation in prayer stupefys by it. It is as well named Umm al-Quran, the Mother of the Quran, and Umm al-Kitab, the Mother of the Book because the meaning of the entire Quran is summarised therein.It is also named SabulMathani, (the sevener Often Repeated Verses), Al-Hamd, (the Praise), Al-Shifa (The Cure) and ArRuqya, the Spiritual Cure. Its recitation is a condition for the effectiveness of the prayer. It is the Mecci Surah of the Holy rule book.It was initially the 5th chapter to be disclosed but after Furqan e Hameed was assembled together, it was put at the beginning. Al-Fatiha itself agency The Opening as this chapter perplexs right at the start of the Holy Book and serves as a Gateway to read Quran Majeed further. It also has the honor of being the very prime(prenominal) Surah that is made know completely.Although it consists of 7 Ayats hardly, but it still explains the Almightys reverence in a ve ry schoolwide fashion and is a great means of asking Allah for keeping one on the right path.Virtues of Surah Fatiha There be many virtues associated with this Surah. Hazrat Abu Saeed al-Khudri narrates While on a journey we halted at a place.A girl came to us and verbalise The antique of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are non present, is there anybody amongst you who can recite something upon him to treat him? Then, one of our men went along with her although we did not think that he knew any such treatment. However, our friend went to the chief and recited something upon him and the chief was cured. Thereupon, the chief gave him thirty sheep and gave us all milk to drink.When he returned, we asked our friend Did you know anything to recite upon him to cure him? He said No, I only recited Umm al-Kitab upon him. We said that do not do anything until we reach Madinah and ask the Prophet regarding this (practice and reward whether the sheep were lawful or not for us).Upon reaching Madinah, we narrated this to the Prophet (PBUH), whereupon he remarked How did he come to know that Al-Fatiha can be used as a cure? (PBUH) Distribute your reward amongst yourselves and a lot a share for me as haleTheme of Surah Fatiha Allah has taught in this Surah to mankind to offer prayer to Him, who is the Lord of this universe before adjudicateing guidance and Who alone can grant it.The reader should fill a firm belief that the Creator of the universe is the source of all knowledge and the study of Quran can provide him guidance. Islam requires a man to commence everything with the name of Allah. By doing this he will keep himself away from evil and wrong deeds.Then there is prayer of Allah Who is compass, Owner, Sustainer, Provider, Guardian, Sovereign, Ruler, Administrator and Organizer. Then it is added that He is the Master of the Day of Judgment, thus, everyone is accountable for his deeds. Mankind is only worshiper of the Lord and for this reas on, mankind is requesting for guidance in every walk of life. The guidance which make mankind brotherly is required. The one who will be astray will suffer the wrath of Allah (SWT).Brief Tafseer of Surah FatihaIn the name of Allah The first ayah of Surah Fatiha is In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful. (Al-Fatiha1) This phrase is known as the bismillah. It is good to recite it before doing any action.The Meaning of the letter Baa The Baa in the Arabic language can have collar different meaningsWith With / In the name of AllahSeeking help Seeking help of the name of AllahSeeking blessing Seeking blessing with the name of AllahThe Meaning of al-Rahman and al-RaheemBoth these names are derived from the same root letters raa, haa, meem which means to have mercy.They are thus similar in meaning and both are connected to Allahs (SWT) lenity.The fact that Allah (SWT) mentions ii of His call which have to do with Mercy, rather than Might and Power or so on, shows just how important this Attribute is.The difference between al-Rahman and al-Raheem is that al-Rahman refers to Allahs (SWT) Mercy to all of creation. It is His Mercy which is extended to both believers and disbelievers animals, and everything that exists.He says in the QuranMy Mercy encompasses all things. (Al-Araf 156)Al-Rahman therefore indicates the extreme vastness of Allahs (SWT) Mercy. It is mentioned in a hadith that Allah (SWT) divided Mercy into nose candy parts and sent down only one part to this dunya. It is from this one part of His Mercy that animals show mercy to their offspring (Sahih Muslim).Al-Raheem refers to Allahs (SWT) Mercy which is specific for the believers. He says in the QuranAll Praise is due to AllahThe second ayah is All eulogy be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. (Al-Fatiha2)The Meaning of Hamd and the Difference between Hamd and ShukrHamd means praise and thankfulness. The scholars differed as to the relation between the words hamd and shukr. So me said that they both have the same meaning.So, the meaning of hamd, in their view, is the same as shukr (gratitude). Hamd is something which must be through with(p) with love and reverence, but shukr does not need this. Shukr is done in response to a favour which is done to a person but hamd is done simply because the one being praised and thanked is worthy of that.The Meaning of AalameenSome of the differing views about it are that it refers toEverything which exists other than Allah taaalaaMankind and the jinnThose things which have an intellect, and they are four mankind, jinn, angels, and devilsThose things which have soulsThe best view is the first one, the proof being ayah 23 and 24 of Surah Shuara. (23)Said Pharaoh, And what is the Lord of the worlds?(24) Moses said, The Lord of the heavens and earth and that between them, if you should be convinced.The Beneficent, The Most MercifulThe third ayah isThe Beneficent, The Most Merciful. (Al-Fatiha 3)There is repetition of thes e two names to emphasize the importance of the quality of mercy.Also, when something is repeated in the Quran, then you should look at the ayah before it and after it, to see how they are related. In this case, the antecedent ayah mentioned that Allah (SWT) is the Rabb of all the worlds. So, He repeating the words, al-Rahman al-Raheem after that, shows us that His being the Rabb His taking of and sustaining and providing for us is all part of His Mercy towards us.Master of the Day of RewardThe fourth ayah isThe merely Owner of the Day of Recompense. (Al-Fatiha 3)The Meaning of MaalikThe first word of this ayah can be recited in two ways either as Maalik (with a madd after the meem) or as Malik (without the madd). Maalik means master, and it refers to milk the ownership of something.Malik means king, and it refers to mulk the dominion of a person.God is the Lord of the Day when all generations of mankind gather together on govern to render an account of their conduct, and when each person will be finally rewarded or punished for his deeds.The description of God as Lord of the Day of view following the mention of his benevolence and compassion indicates that we ought to remember another aspect of God as well-namely, that He will judge us all, Hence, we ought not only to love Him for nourishing and sustaining us and for His compassion and mercy towards us, but also hold Him in awe because of His justice.You (Alone) We WorshipThe fifth ayah isYou (alone) we worship and You (alone) we ask for help. (Al-Fatiha 5)At this point, there is a shift in the Surah from informing us about Allah (SWT) and praising Him, to addressing Him.We worship means we obey. Worship is obedience and self-abasement.It means to humble yourself before Allah (SWT) and to submit to His Will. The ayah affirms the Lordship of Allah.Iyyaaka nastaeen means we seek help and success. Usually, in most sentences the verb comes first and then the object but in this ayah the object of the verb i s mentioned first and then the verb to attach importance to it, to Allah (SWT).It also refers the status of the slave and his worship which is lower so it will come after mentioning the Lord, Allah (SWT).Guide us on the Straight passagewayThe sixth ayah isGuide us on the Straight Path. (Al-Fatiha 5)This ayah is a dua which we make to Allah (SWT). We ask Him to show us the Straight Path and to guide us on it, so that we will get His focal point which draws us closer and nearer to Him. We need to struggle towards Allah (SWT) by doing good deeds and by staying away from all bad deeds which will outgo us from Him.The Meaning of MustaqeemMustaqeem is derived from istaqaama, which means to be upright and correct. We already said that for a road to be a sirat it must be straight, so this procedural of mustaqeem again emphasizes the straight path. Another meaning of mustaqeem is to remain firm without tilting. For example, a tree that is firmly grounded when the wind blows it is not affe cted by it. So, the Straight Path is a path on which bulk are firmly grounded.The Path of ThoseThe seventh and final ayah isThe path of those you have blessed, not of those with anger on them, nor of those who are astray. (Al-Fatiha 7)This ayah is for the people Allah has blessed and his guidance. This is explained by Allah (SWT) in another ayah where He says Whosoever obeys Allah and the Messenger, they are with those whom Allah has favored, the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs and the righteous, and these are the best company.(Al-Nisa 69)So, the favored and blessed people are the Prophets, the righteous, the martyrs and the pious. And who are the people with anger on them and those who are astray? This is explained by the Prophet. Adi ibn Hatim (RA) asked him about those with anger on them and he replied that it refers to the Jews. He then asked him about those who are astray and he replied that it refers to the Christians.Impact of Surah Al-Fatiha on the life of a Muslim as se rvant of Allah.The recitation of Surat Al-Fatiha in every Salat cause us to reflect late on our relationship with Rabb Al-Alameen it drive us to ensure that we are sincere to the meaning of the words we utter when we say You alone we worship, and in You alone we seek help.Reciting these words cause us to shape our lives according to His commands and prohibitions, in preparation for meeting the Owner/King of the Day of Judgement. And above all else, it informs us and reminds us that all praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.The hamd or praise over, the Surah draws attention to the all-encompassing providence of God, His mercy, and His justice and thus gives a comprehensive picture of divine attributes which channelise to provide man with all that he needs to sustain and develop the humanity in him and prevent him from going down in the scale of life.