Surah Al-Fatiha

Sūrat al-Fātiḥah (Arabic: سُّورَةُ الفَاتِحَة‎‎) is the first chapter (Surah) of the Quran. Its seven verses (ayat) are a prayer for the guidance, lordship and mercy of God. This chapter has an essential role in Islamic prayer (Salāt). The primary literal meaning of the expression "al-Fātiḥah" is "The Opening," which could refer to this Surah being "the opening of the Book" (Fātiḥat al-kitāb), to its being the first Surah recited in each cycle (rakʿah) of prayer, or to the manner in which it serves as an opening for many functions in everyday Islamic life. Some Muslims interpret it as a reference to an implied ability of the Surah to open a person to faith in God.

1. BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM.
In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

2. AL HAMDU LILLAHI RABBIL `AALAMEEN.
Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe

3. AR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM.
Most Gracious, Most Merciful

4. MAALIKI YAWMID DEEN.
Master of the Day of Judgment

5. EYYAAKA NA`BUDU, WA EYYAAKA NASTA`EEN.
You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help

6. EH'DENAS SIRAATAL MUSTAQEEM.
Guide us in the right path

7. SIRAATAL LAZINA AN`AMTA `ALAYHIM; GHAYRIL
MAGHDOOBI `ALAYHIM WALADDAALEEN.
the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers

The Holy Quran is the 4th and final Sacred Book of Allah SWT, which He revealed on His Last Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ. It is ultimate source of guidance for believers in the Religion of Islam. It consists of many sections which address religious and secular issues concerning life. Although, all the revelations of this Blessed Manuscript serve as a means of enlightenment, but some of its chapters are considered more significant than others because of some particular reasons. Surah Al-Fatiha is one of those few episodes of Quran, which holds special status, and is even recalled by Allah Almighty.

The first half of Surah Fatiha is a declaration of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) in all of its forms: tawheed of Rububiyyah (Lordship) ”All praise to Allah, the Rabb (Lord) of the universe,” (1:1), tawheed of Asma Wa Sifaat (names and attributes) “Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement,” (1:2-3) and tawheed of Ibaadah (worship), “You alone we worship and you alone we ask for help.” (1:4)

The second half of Surah Fatiha is the most important du’a a person could ever make, “Guide us to the straight path!” (1:5) The Surah then explains what is the staight path and what is not. The straight path is that which was shown to us and followed by those whom Allah has favoured, which Allah explains in another verse, “whoever obeys Allah and His messenger, then they will be with those whom Allah has favoured from the prophets, truthful, matyrs and righteous.” (4:69) This verse refutes the claim by some people that you can find your own way towards Paradise without following the people of the past. True salvation lies in following the Salaf As-Saliheen (The righteous predecessors) and their understanding and practice of the Qur’an.