Surah Al Fatihah in Arabic with Translation and Transliteration
Surah Al-Fatihah, often referred to as "The Opening" or simply "Al-Fatihah," holds a special place in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It is the first chapter of the Quran and serves as the opening prayer in their daily worship. This blog post provides an in-depth overview of Surah Al-Fatihah, exploring its contents, lessons, and virtues.
Surah Al-Fatihah consists of seven verses (ayahs) and is a concise yet profound chapter in the Quran. It is recited by Muslims in their daily prayers, making it one of the most frequently recited verses in the world. The chapter is unique in several ways, not least because it encapsulates the core beliefs and values of Islam, serving as a foundation for the understanding of the entire Quran.
Contents of Surah Al Fatihah
- Praise and Gratitude: The chapter begins with the phrase "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem," meaning "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." This sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, emphasizing Allah's attributes of mercy and compassion.
- Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty: The next verse, "Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'aalameen," translates to "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds." This verse acknowledges Allah as the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe, highlighting monotheism and the recognition of God's supremacy.
- The Compassionate and Merciful: The third verse, "Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem," reaffirms Allah's attributes of being the Most Gracious and Most Merciful. It underscores the benevolence and love of God for His creation.
- The Master of the Day of Judgment: "Maliki yawmid-deen" acknowledges that Allah is the Master of the Day of Judgment. This verse reminds believers of their accountability in the Hereafter, stressing the importance of righteous actions in this world.
- The Path of Righteousness: The fifth verse, "Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een," means "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help." It signifies the exclusive devotion and reliance of Muslims on Allah alone, rejecting all forms of polytheism.
- Guidance and the Straight Path: "Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem" is a plea to Allah to guide believers to the straight path. This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance from Allah to live a righteous life.
- Avoiding the Path of Error: The final verse, "Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alayhim ghayril-maghdhoobi 'alayhim walad-dhaalleen," seeks to avoid the path of those who have gone astray and those who have incurred God's wrath. It serves as a warning against deviating from the righteous path.
Lessons from Surah Al-Fatihah
- Monotheism (Tawheed): Surah Al-Fatihah establishes the foundational concept of monotheism in Islam. It teaches that there is only one God, Allah, who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Believers are reminded to worship Him alone, rejecting any form of polytheism.
- Gratitude and Praise: The chapter begins with praise and gratitude to Allah, setting a precedent for believers to be thankful for His blessings and acknowledge His mercy and compassion in their lives.
- Guidance and Seeking Help: Surah Al-Fatihah emphasizes the importance of seeking guidance and help from Allah. It reminds believers that they are in constant need of His guidance and support to navigate life's challenges.
- Accountability: The acknowledgment of Allah as the Master of the Day of Judgment serves as a reminder of the Hereafter and the consequences of one's actions. It encourages believers to lead a righteous life in anticipation of the final judgment.
- The Straight Path: The plea for guidance to the straight path highlights the importance of living a life in accordance with Islamic principles and values. It signifies the quest for moral and spiritual integrity.
Virtues of Surah Al-Fatihah
- Gateway to the Quran: Surah Al-Fatihah is often described as the "essence" of the Quran. It encapsulates the central themes of the Quran, making it a key to understanding the entire scripture. It is, therefore, referred to as the "Mother of the Book."
- Spiritual Connection: Muslims recite Surah Al-Fatihah in their daily prayers, creating a profound spiritual connection with Allah. It serves as a reminder of their faith and devotion and provides solace and tranquility in their worship.
- Healing and Protection: Many Muslims believe that Surah Al-Fatihah has healing properties. They recite it as a form of supplication for healing from physical and spiritual ailments and as protection from harm.
- Intercessor on the Day of Judgment: According to Islamic tradition, Surah Al-Fatihah will intercede for those who recite it sincerely on the Day of Judgment, asking Allah for the forgiveness of their sins.
Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran, is a profound and foundational text in Islam. Its concise yet powerful verses convey essential lessons about monotheism, gratitude, guidance, accountability, and the path to righteousness. It serves as a daily reminder for Muslims of their faith and devotion to Allah. With its virtues extending to healing and intercession, Surah Al-Fatihah holds a special place in the hearts of believers, and its significance is felt in every aspect of their lives.
If you want to listen to the recitation of Surah Al Fatihah, please watch the video below:
If you want to read Surah Al Fatihah, please read below:
بِسۡمِ
ٱللَّهِ
ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ
ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1.
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
In the name of Allah,
the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ
لِلَّهِ
رَبِّ
ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
2.
Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen
[All] praise is [due]
to Allah, Lord of the worlds –
ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ
ٱلرَّحِيمِ
3.
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
The Entirely Merciful,
the Especially Merciful,
مَٰلِكِ
يَوۡمِ
ٱلدِّينِ
4.
Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
إِيَّاكَ
نَعۡبُدُ
وَإِيَّاكَ
نَسۡتَعِينُ
5.
Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een
It is You we worship and You we ask for
help.
ٱهۡدِنَا
ٱلصِّرَٰطَ
ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ
6.
Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
Guide us to the straight path –
صِرَٰطَ
ٱلَّذِينَ
أَنۡعَمۡتَ
عَلَيۡهِمۡ
غَيۡرِ
ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ
عَلَيۡهِمۡ
وَلَا
ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
7.
Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim
ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.