Al-Fatiha

This article is about the surah of the Qur'an. For the LGBT Muslim organization, see Al-Fatiha Foundation.

Sura 1 of the Quran

الفاتحة‎ Al-Fātihah The Opening
Arabic text English translation
Classification	Meccan
Other names	see Alternate names
Position	Juzʼ 1
No. of verses	7
No. of words	29
No. of letters	139

In Islam Sura Al-Fatiha (Arabic: سورة الفاتحة), (Sūratul-Fātihah, "The Opener") is the first chapter of the Qur'an. Its seven verses are a prayer for Allah'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 Surah Al-Fatiha seventeen times a day in Fard (Compulsory) Salaat, at the start of each unit of prayer.

Interpretation

Muslims believe in the Qur'an as a revelation given in Arabic from God. Translations into other languages are considered to be superficial interpretations of the meanings and not authentic versions, the word of God, of the Qur'an.

Arabic:

1.1 بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم

1:2 الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين

1:3 الرَّحمـنِ الرَّحِيم

1:4 مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّين

1:5 إِيَّاك نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِين

1:6 اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيم

1:7 صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّين

Transliteration:

Al-Fatiha | 7 verses | The Opening | سورة الفاتحة Sura #1 | Makkah

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: ^[Quran 1:1].

"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."

Written by Mir Emad Hassani in 1570s.

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 Qur'an 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-H-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 Qur'an, both words appear in red everywhere in the Qur'an.

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 Nafi'; Ibn Kathir; Ibn Amir; Abu 'Amr; Hamza), or rather "Māliki" with a long "a," meaning "master" or "owner" (Hafs, from Asim, and al-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

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

Authentic or Ṣaḥīḥ Merits

A 14th- or 15th-century manuscript of the chapter

• One of the greatest Suras

Ahmad ibn Hanbal recorded in his Musnad (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 God! I was praying.' He said, 'Didn't God say, "O you who believe! Answer God (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 God! 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." (Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah also recorded this Hadith.)

• Al-fatiha used for cure

Al-Bukhari recorded in his collection:

Abu Said Al-Khudri said: "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." (Al-Bukhari 006.061.529 - Virtues of the Qur'an)

(Similar versions found in: Al-Bukhari: 007.071.645 - Medicine; Al-Bukhari: 007.071.633 - Medicine; Al-Bukhari: 007.071.632 - Medicine)

• Necessity in Salat

Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj recorded that Abu Hurayrah had told that the Prophet had said:

"Whoever performs any prayer in which he did not read Umm Al-Qur'an (i.e., Al-Fatiha), then his prayer is incomplete." (Sahih Muslim)

(Similar story found in Al-Bukhari: 001.012.723 - Characteristics of Prayer)

• 1 of the 2 lights

Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj recorded that Ibn ‘Abbas had said:

“While Hadrat Jibril (i.e. the angel Gabriel) was sitting with the Holy Prophet, he heard a sound above him and raised his head. He said: ‘This is a door in the heaven which has been opened today and which has never been opened before today.’ An angel descended from it. And he (Hadrat Jibril) said: ‘This is an angel who has descended to earth, who has never descended before today.’ He (that angel) gave the greetings of peace and said: ‘Give the good news of two lights which you have been given; of which no Prophet before you was given: the Faatiha (Opening chapter) of the Book and the end of Surah al-Baqarah. You will not recite a letter of them without being given it.’” (Sahih Muslim)

Unauthentic, Weak or Ḍaʻīf merits

“When you lie your side on your bed [getting ready to sleep] and you recite [The Opening chapter of The Book] and Sura al-Ikhlas, then you have been secured from everything, except death… ” [Weak. Dhaif at-Targheeb w a tarheeb: 34] [1]

“ The Fatiha 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]
“ The Fatiha is equal to a third of the Qur’an… ” [Weak. Dhaif al Jam i as-Sagheer : 3949]

Shia Benefits

Uncategorized Collection

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 surah in the presence of Muhammad, who said, ‘By Him in whose hand is my soul, a similar revelation to this has not been included in the Taurat (Torah), Injeel (Bible), Zabur (Psalms) or even the Qur’an itself.’

Muhammad once asked Jabir ibn Abdallah Ansari, “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.”

Imam AbuAbdillah Ja’far as-Sadiq said that whoever cannot be cured by surah al-Fatihah, then there is no cure for that person. In the same narration it is written that if this surah is recited 70 times on any part of the body that is paining, the pain will surely go away. In fact, the power of this surah is 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). Surah al-Fatihah is a cure for physical and also spiritual ailments.

• An Experienced Way of Warding off Jinn or Jadu (Magic) by Muhammad Zakariyya Muhajir Madani

This amal (practise) is known as the amal of Ayatul Kursi. After fajr salaah, maghrib salaah and before retiring to bed, read thrice Surah Fatihah including Bismillah, Aayatul Kursi, Surah Falaq (chapter 113) and Surah Naas (chapter 114). Read any Durood thrice in the beginning as well as at the end. If the affected one recites 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 whatever 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.
( Taweez used or approved by Hazrat Sheikhul Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Muhajir Madani ( Rahmatullahi Alaihe )).

• Iblees lamented on 4 occasions

Ambari in his ‘Kitaabur-Rad’ through his own chain of narrators has mentioned from Mujahid ibn Jabr rahmatullahi alaihe that Iblees the accursed of Allah Ta’ala lamented on four occasions: first when he was cursed; secondly when he was cast out of Heaven to the Earth; thirdly when Hazrat Muhammad sallallahu alaihe wasallam was given the Prophethood; fourthly when Surah Fatihah was revealed and it was revealed in Madinah.

Revelation

Islamic scholarly tradition is concerned, amongst other things, with when and where verses and chapters of the Qur'an were revealed to Muhammad - for example, whether a verse was revealed while Muhammad was in Mecca or Medina. According to Ibn Abbas and others, Sura Al-Fatiha is a Meccan sura; according to and 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.

Statistics

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 Qur'an 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). AIt falls in the first hizb, and hence the first juz', which are sections of the Qur'an.

Translations, interpretations and commentaries

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 Surah Al-Fatiha at least 17 times a day 1:1 Beginning is with Allah's personal name Al-Rahman, the Fountain of Infinite Mercy.

1:2 The Infinite Glory and Praise stands specified eternally, entirely and exclusively for Allah, the Exalted, the Sustainer Lord of the Known-Multiple universes-All that exists.

1:3-4 The Sustainer Lord of the Worlds is Ar'Reh'maan Who is The Fountain of Infinite Mercy. [1:3] Al-Rahman is the Master/the Sovereign/the Authority/Holder of "The Day of Resurrection/Judgment and Requital".

1:5 [Our Sustainer Lord Ar'Reh'maan] You, the Exalted are the One and Only Whom we presently, and in future will, solely and exclusively owe and demonstrate allegiance and servitude. Moreover, You, the Exalted are exclusively the One we keep looking for cooperative and helping facilitation to exalt ourselves.

1:6-7 Our Sustainer Lord Al-Rahman! You, the Exalted guide us upon the Path that keeps heading safely and straight to the destination of peace and tranquility; [1:6] the Path journeyed by those upon whom You showered blessings. This Path/Course is other than of those who made themselves liable to criminal cognizance/arrest, and nor is of those who are the neglectful wanderers.

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.

See also

• Word by word analysis
• Basmala
• Ayatul Kursi
• Al-Falaq
• Al-Nas
• Why Supplications are not answered

External links

• Surah Fatiha at SurahFatiha.com
• http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/
• http://www.islamicity.com/hadith/
• http://abdurrahman.org/qurantafseer/TheVirtuesOfSomeSurahs_ShaikAlbanee.pdf
• http://www.inter-islam.org/Quran/surah.htm
• http://www.imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?print=3444
• Quran Al-Fatiha with English translation