Al-Fatiha
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| الفاتحة Al-Fātiḥah The Opening |
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Arabic text · |
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| Classification | Meccan |
| Position | Juz' 1 |
| Structure | 7 verses, 29 words, 139 letters |
| Part of a series on |
| Qur'an |
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In Islam, sura Al-Fatiha (Arabic: سورة الفاتحة), (Sūratul-Fātihah, "The Opener") is the first chapter of the Quran. Its seven ayat (verses) are a prayer for God's guidance, and stress His Lordship and Mercy. This chapter has an essential role in Salaat (daily prayer); according to some, Muslims should recite the sura Al-Fatiha 17 times a day in Fard (compulsory) Salaat, at the start of each unit of prayer. In Islam, the place of the Al-Fatiha in the heart of Muslims is akin to the place of the "Lord's Prayer" in the heart of Christians: both have the same intent in connecting with God, and address similar themes of sincerity, respect, love, guidance, forgiveness and adoration of God.
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Interpretation [edit]
Muslims believe in the Quran as a revelation given in Arabic from God.
Arabic:
بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم
الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين
الرَّحمـنِ الرَّحِيم
مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّين
إِيَّاك نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِين
اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيم
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّين
Transliteration:
Bismillāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm
Al ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn
Ar raḥmāni r-raḥīm
Māliki yawmi d-dīn
Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn
Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa al-mustaqīm
Ṣirāṭa al-laḏīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ġayri l-maġḍūbi ʿalayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn
Translation:
In the name of God, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
All praise and thanks is for to God, [The] Creator, Owner, Sustainer of the Worlds.
The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful.
Owner of the Day of Recompense.
You alone do we worship and You alone we seek for help.
Guide us to the Straight Path.
The path of those whom Your blessings are upon, not of those who You have cursed nor of those who have gone astray.
The first verse, transliterated as "Bismillāhir Rahmānir Rahīm", may be familiar to non-Arabic speakers and non-Muslims because of its ubiquity in Arabic and Muslim societies. This verse appears at the start of every chapter in the Quran with the exception of the ninth chapter. The verse is normally said before reciting a chapter or part of a chapter during daily prayer, and also before public proclamations and indeed before many personal and everyday activities in many Arabic and Muslim societies as a way to invoke God's blessing and proclaim one's motives before an undertaking.
The two words "ar Rahmān" and "ar Rahīm" are often translated in English as "the Beneficent" and "the Merciful" or "the Generous." They are often also translated as superlatives, for example, "the Most Generous" and "the Most Merciful". Grammatically the two words "Rahmaan" and "Raheem" are different linguistic forms of the triconsonantal root R-Ḥ-M, connoting "mercy". (For more information, see the section on root forms in Semitic languages). The form "Rahmaan" denotes degree or extent, i.e., "Most Merciful," while "Raheem" denotes time permanence, i.e., "Ever Merciful".
The second verse's "الحمد الله" ranks as one of the most popular phrases in all of Arabic, being used to express one's well-being, general happiness, or even consolation in a disaster (see Alhamdulillah). The verse is also significant in that it includes a relationship between the two most common names for God in Arabic "الله" and "رب". The first word is a ubiquitous name for God, and the second roughly translates to "Lord." It shares the same root with the Hebrew "Rabbi". In some printings of the Quran, both words appear in red everywhere in the Quran.
The first word of the fourth verse varies as between variant recitation versions of the Qur'an. The most widely preferred of those differ on whether it is "Maliki" with a short "a," which means "king" (Warsh, from Abu Suhail an-Nafi; Ibn Kathir; Ibn Amir; Abu 'Amr; Hamza), or rather "Māliki" with a long "a," meaning "master" or "owner" (Hafs, from Asim, and Kisa'i). "Maliki" and "Māliki" are distinct words of inconsistent precise meaning deriving from the same triconsonantal root in Arabic, M-L-K.
Benefits and virtues of sura Al-Fatiha [edit]
The majority of these supposed benefits were written several hundred years after the Quran. Many are no more than superstitions brought by the new converts from their original cultures and then associated with the Quran. The Quran itself does not claim to have such benefits.
Some suras are assigned special significance by adherents of Islam, because of their virtues and benefits (Arabic: فضائل faḍāʾil) described in the hadiths. Acceptance of the different hadith stories varies between Sunni and Shia Muslims and there is a variety of terms to classify the different levels of confirmed authenticity of a hadith.
Sunni benefits [edit]
Authentic or ṣaḥīḥ merits [edit]
One of the greatest suras [edit]
Ahmad ibn Hanbal recorded in his Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal (hadith collection) that Abu Sa`id bin Al-Mu`alla had said:
"I was praying when the Prophet called me, so I did not answer him until I finished the prayer. I then went to him and he said, What prevented you from coming?
I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! I was praying.'
He said, Didn't Allah say,
O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.
He then said,
"I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an before you leave the Masjid (Mosque)."
He held my hand and when he was about to leave the Masjid, I said, `O Messenger of Allah! You said: I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an.'
He said, Yes.
Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-`Alamin,
It is the seven repeated (verses) and the Glorious Qur'an that I was given.—Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal[1]
Muhammad al-Bukhari, Abu Dawood, Al-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah also recorded this hadith.[1]
Al-fatiha used for cure [edit]
Muhammad al-Bukhari recorded in his collection:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
While we were on one of our journeys, we dismounted at a place where a slave girl came and said, "The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present; is there anybody among you who can treat him (by reciting something)?" Then one of our men went along with her though we did not think that he knew any such treatment. But he treated the chief by reciting something, and the sick man recovered whereupon he gave him thirty sheep and gave us milk to drink (as a reward). When he returned, we asked our friend, "Did you know how to treat with the recitation of something?" He said, "No, but I treated him only with the recitation of the Mother of the Book (i.e., Al-Fatiha)." We said, "Do not say anything (about it) till we reach or ask the Prophet so when we reached Medina, we mentioned that to the Prophet (in order to know whether the sheep which we had taken were lawful to take or not). The Prophet said, "How did he come to know that it (Al-Fatiha) could be used for treatment? Distribute your reward and assign for me one share thereof as well."
Similar versions are found in: Al-Bukhari: 007.071.645[4] - medicine; Al-Bukhari: 007.071.633[5] - medicine; Al-Bukhari: 007.071.632[6] - medicine
Necessity in salat [edit]
Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj recorded that Abu Hurairah had told that Muhammad had said:
If anyone observes prayer in which he does not recite Umm al-Qur'an,[7] it is deficient [he said this three times] and not complete.
A similar story is found in Al-Bukhari: 001.012.723[9] - characteristics of prayer
One of the two lights [edit]
Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj Nishapuri recorded:
Ibn 'Abbas reported that while Gabriel was sitting with the Apostle (may peace be upon him) he heard a creaking sound above him. He lifted his head and said: This As a gate opened in heaven today which had never been opened before. Then when an angel descended through it, he said: This is an angel who came down to the earth who had-never come down before. He greeted and said: Rejoice in two lights given to you which have not been given to any prophet before you: Falihat al-Kitab and the concluding verses of Suarah al-Baqara. You will never recite a letter from them for which you will not be given (a reward).—Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim[10]
Unauthentic, weak or Ḍaʻīf merits [edit]
When you lie your side on your bed [getting ready to sleep] and you recited {The Opening chapter of The Book} and {Qul Huwallaahu [Suratul al-Ikhlaas]}, then you have been secured from everything, except death...—Weak. Dhaif at-Targheeb wa tarheeb: 347[3]
The Faatiha (Opening chapter) of The Book and the Ayaat ul Kursi; no slave will ever recite them in a house; except that no evil eye -from a Jinn or human – will ever affect them in that day...—Dhaif al Jam i as-Sagheer: 3952; weak according to Scholar Albaanee[3]
The Faatiha (Opening chapter) of The Book is equal to a third of the Qur’an...—Weak. Dhaif al Jam i as-Sagheer: 3949[3]
Shia benefits [edit]
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This section requires expansion. (October 2012) |
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This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2012) |
Uncategorized collection [edit]
These are stories for which the editors have not yet decided whether they are authentic or weak.
One of the companions of Muhammad narrates that he once recited this sura in the presence of Muhammad, who said,
Muhammad once asked Jabir ibn Abd-Allah,
“Should I teach you a surah that has no other comparison to it in the whole Qur’an ?” Jabir replied, “Yes, and may my parents be ransom upon you O prophet of Allah.” So Muhammad taught him surah al-Fatihah. Then Muhammad asked, “Jabir, should I tell you something about this surah ?” Jabir answered, “Yes, and may my parents be ransom upon you O prophet of Allah.” Muhammad said, “It (surah al-Fatihah) is a cure for every ailment except death.”[citation needed]
AbuAbdillah Ja’far as-Sadiq said that whoever cannot be cured by sura al-Fatihah, then there is no cure for that person. In the same narration he wrote that if this sura is recited 70 times on any part of the body that is in pain, the pain will surely go away. In fact, the power of this sura is thought to be so great that it is said that if one were to recite it 70 times over a dead body, you should not become surprised if that body starts moving (i.e. comes back to life). Sura al-Fatihah is a cure for physical and also spiritual ailments.[citation needed]
An experienced way of warding off Jinn or magic [edit]
This amal (practise) is known as the amal of Ayaat ul Kursi. After fajr (dawn prayer), maghrib (evening prayer) and before retiring to bed, read sura Al-Fatiha three times, including Bismillah, Aayatul Kursi, sura Al-Falaq (chapter 113) and sura Al-Nas (chapter 114). Read any durood three times in the beginning as well as at the end. If the affected one recites it himself it is better, otherwise someone else should recite and blow in such a manner that some part of his lips touch the affected person. Also keep a bottle of water and whenever you read, blow in the water at the end and make the affected one drink from that water each morning before doing anything else. When the bottle is halved, fill it up with fresh water. And if some signs of affect are seen within the house, then a portion of that water should be sprinkled in the four corners of the house in such a manner that the water does not fall on the floor.[citation needed]
Ta'wiz used or approved by Muhammad Zakariyya Muhajir Madani.
The devil lamented on four occasions [edit]
Ambari in his ‘Kitaabur-Rad’ through his own chain of narrators has mentioned from Mujahid ibn Jabr that Iblees (the Devil) lamented on four occasions: first when he was cursed; secondly when he was cast out of Heaven to the Earth; thirdly when Muhammad was given the prophethood; fourthly when sura Al-Fatiha was revealed and it was revealed in Medina.[citation needed]
Revelation [edit]
Islamic scholarly tradition is concerned, amongst other things, with when and where verses and chapters of the Quran were revealed to Muhammad - for example, whether a verse was revealed while Muhammad was in Mecca or Medina. According to `Abd Allah ibn `Abbas and others, sura Al-Fatiha is a Meccan sura; while according to others it is a Medinan sura. The former view is more widely accepted, although some believe that it was revealed in both Mecca and Medina.[11]
Statistics [edit]
This sura contains 7 verses, 29 words and 139 letters (or 25 and 120, not counting the first verse), although Ibn Kathir says "The scholars say that Al-Fatiha consists of 25 words, and that it contains 113 letters." This is due to different methods of counting letters. Also, since the Quran came as an orally recited revelation rather than one written down, there were slightly different methods of spelling, similar to the differences between American English spelling and British English spelling (center vs. centre). It falls in the first hizb, and hence the first juz', which are sections of the Quran.
Translations, interpretations and commentaries [edit]
Because of a hadith which states that "whoever does not recite surah Al-fatihah in his prayer his prayer is invalid", many Islamic scholars emphasise the importance of this chapter in their commentaries. In practice, this means that Muslims who perform daily prayers according to traditional rules will recite sura Al-Fatiha at least 17 times a day.
The first four verses praise God and uses his God's personal name, Al-Rahman.[12]
The fifth verse affirms the oneness of God in Islam and asks for his aid.[13]
There are differing interpretations for verses 6 and 7. The phrase "the Path journeyed by those upon whom You showered blessings" is usually seen as referring to Muslims. The phrase "those who made themselves liable to criminal cognizance/arrest" (more clearly translated as "those who have incurred Your wrath") is usually seen as referring to the Jews and the phrase "those who are the neglectful wanderers" (more clearly translated as "those who have gone astray") seen as referring to the Christians. Other commentators suggest that these verses do not refer to any particular religious community.[14][15]
References [edit]
- ^ a b c The Meaning of Al-Fatihah and its Various Names
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 6:61:529
- ^ a b c d The Virtues of Some Surahs
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 7:71:645
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 7:71:633
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 7:71:632
- ^ The Reason it is Called Umm Al-Kitab
- ^ Sahih Muslim, 4:773
- ^ Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:12:723
- ^ Sahih Muslim, 4:1760
- ^ Ahmad, Mirza Bahir Ud-Din (1988). The Holy Quran with English Translation and Commentary. Islam International Publications Ltd. p. 1. ISBN 1-85372-045-3.
- ^ Quran 1:1–4
- ^ Quran 1:5
- ^ Ayoub, Mahmoud M. The Qur'an and Its Interpreters: v.1: Vol 1. State University of New York Press. p. 49. ISBN 978-0873957274.
- ^ Quran 1:6–7
External links [edit]
- Al-Fatihah
- Al-Quran - al-Fātiḥah (The Opening)
- Surah Fatiha at SurahFatiha.com
- Tafsir Ibn Kathir
- The Virtues of Surah Fatihah
- Rewards of Reciting the Qur'anic Surahs
- Quran Al-Fatiha with English translation
- Al-Fatiha, 1:1–7, at the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement
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