Introduction
Name
This Surah is named Al-Fatiha because of its
subject-matter. Fatihah is that which opens a subject or a book or any other thing. In
other words, Al-Fatihah is a sort of preface.
Verses
This Surah has a total of 7 verses.
Period of Revelation
It is one of the very earliest Revelations to the Holy Prophet. As a matter of fact, we
learn from authentic Traditions that it was the first complete Surah which was revealed to
Muhammed (PBUH). Before this, only a few miscellaneous verses were revealed which form
parts of Surah Alaq, Muzzammil, Muddathir, etc.
Theme
This Surah is in fact a prayer which Allah has taught to all those who want to make a
study of his book. It has been placed at the very beginning of the book to teach this
lesson to the reader: if you sincerely want to benefit from the Quran, you should offer
this prayer to the Lord of the Universe.
This preface is meant to create a strong desire in the heart of the reader to seek
guidance from the Lord of the Universe, who alone can grant it. Thus Al-Fatiha indirectly
teaches that the best thing for a man is to pray for guidance to the straight path, to
study the Quran with the mental attitude of a seeker-after-truth and to recognize the fact
that the Lord of the Universe is the source of all knowledge. He should, therefore, begin
the study of the Quran with a prayer to him for guidance.
From this theme, it becomes clear that the real relation between Al-Fatiha and the Quran
is not that of an introduction to a book but that of a prayer and its answer. Al-Fatiha is
the prayer from the servant and the Quran is the answer from the the Master to his prayer.
The servant prays to Allah to show him guidance and the Master places the whole of the
Quran before him in answer to his prayer, as if to say, "This is the Guidance you
begged from Me."
1 In the name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful. 19
2 Praise be to Allah the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. 20
3 Most Gracious Most Merciful.
4 Master of the Day of Judgment.
5 Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek. 21
6 Show us the straight way. 22
7 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace Those whose (portion) is not wrath
and who go not astray. 23 24
Commentry
19 The Arabic words "Rahman" and "Rahim"
translated "Most Gracious" and "Most Merciful" are both intensive
forms referring to different aspects of God's attribute of Mercy. The Arabic intensive is
more suited to express God's attributes than the superlative degree in English. The latter
implies a comparison with other beings, or with other times or places, while there is no
being like unto God, and He is independent of Time and Place. Mercy may imply pity,
long-suffering, patience, and forgiveness, all of which the sinner needs and God Most
Merciful bestows in abundant measure. But there is a Mercy that goes before even the need
arises, the Grace which is ever watchful, and flows from God Most Gracious to all His
creatures, protecting the, preserving them, guiding them, and leading them to clearer
light and higher life. For this reason the attribute Rahman (Most Gracious) is not applied
to any but God, but the attribute Rahim (Merciful), is a general term, and may also be
applied to Men. To make us contemplate these boundless gifts of God, the formula: "In
the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful": is placed before every Sura of the
Qur-an (except the ninth), and repeated at the beginning of every act by the Muslim who
dedicates his life to God, and whose hope is in His Mercy. (1.1)
20 The Arabic word Rabb, usually translated Lord, has also the meaning of
cherishing, sustaining, bringing to maturity. God cares for all the worlds He has created.
(1.2)
21 On realizing in our souls God's love and care, His grace and mercy,
and His power and justice (as Ruler of the Day of Judgment), the immediate result is that
we bend in the act of worship, and see both our shortcomings and His all-sufficient power.
The emphatic form means that not only do we reach the position of worshipping God and
asking for His help, but we worship Him alone and ask for His aid only. For there is none
other than He worthy of our devotion and able to help us. The plural "we"
indicates that we associate ourselves with all who seek God, thus strengthening ourselves
and strengthening them in a fellowship of faith. (1.5)
22 If we translate by the English word "guide," we shall have
to say: "Guide us to and in the straight Way." For we many be wandering
aimlessly, and the first step is to find the Way; and the second need is to keep in the
Way: our own wisdom may fail in either case. The straight Way is often the narrow Way, or
the steep Way, which many people shun (xc.11). By the world's perversity the straight Way
is sometimes stigmatized and the crooked Way praised. How are we to judge? We must ask for
God's guidance. With a little spiritual insight we shall see which are the people who walk
in the light of God's grace, and which are those that walk in the darkness of Wrath. This
also would help our judgment. (1.6)
23 Note that the words relating to Grace are connected actively with God;
those relating to Wrath are impersonal. In the one case God's Mercy encompasses us beyond
our deserts. In the other case our own actions are responsible for the Wrath, the negative
of Grace, Peace, or Harmony. (1.7)
24 Are there two categories? - those who are in the darkness of Wrath and
those who stray? The first are those who deliberately break God's law; the second those
who stray out of carelessness or negligence. Both are responsible for their own acts or
omissions. In opposition to both are the people who are in the light of God's Grace: for
His Grace not only protects them from active wrong (if they will only submit their will to
Him) but also from straying into paths of temptation or carelessness. The negative gair
should be construed as applying not to the way, but as describing men protected from two
dangers by God's Grace. (1.7)