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Author: Mohammad Hashim Bastawi

Introduction:

This is the first and most important Surah of the Holy Qur’an. Because of its great importance, it has several names. When something possesses various excellences and there is no single word in the language that can express all those excellences, then multiple names are used to highlight those qualities. For this same reason, Allah Almighty has countless Beautiful Names, because His excellences are beyond measure.

The following are the names of Surah Al-Fatiha:

1. Surah As-Salat (The Chapter of Prayer):
   This is the Surah recited in every unit (rak‘ah) of prayer. Without reciting it, the prayer is invalid. For this reason, in a Hadith Qudsi, it has been called As-Salat. Allah Almighty says: “I have divided the prayer – meaning Surah Al-Fatihah – between Myself and My servant into two halves.” In three and a half verses, the attributes of Allah are mentioned, and in the remaining three and a half verses, there is the servant’s supplication. This Hadith is recorded in Sahih Muslim (Mishkat, Hadith no. 823).
2. Surah Al-Hamd (The Chapter of Praise):
   This is the Surah whose first word is Al-Hamd (“All praise”). It contains abundant praise of Allah and presents the concept of the Oneness of Divinity (Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah) and the Oneness of Lordship (Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah) — meaning that He alone is worthy of worship and He alone is the Sustainer of the universe.
3. Fatihatul-Kitab (The Opening of the Book):
   That is, the preface or introduction to the Holy Qur’an. Fath means “to open” and Fatihah means “the beginning of something.” Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) says that the first chapter of the Qur’an is called Fatihatul-Kitab for two reasons:
4. It is the first Surah written in the Qur’an.
5. In prayer, the recitation begins with this Surah.
   For this reason, it has not been included within any juz (section); the first juz begins with (Alif Laam Meem), i.e., Surah Al-Baqarah. If Al-Fatihah were included in the first juz, it would remain merely as its preface, whereas it is actually the introduction to the entire Qur’an.
6. Ummul-Kitab (The Mother of the Book):
   That is, the essence or foundation of the Qur’an. Just as children come from a mother, the subjects of the entire Qur’an originate from this Surah. It contains a summary of the Qur’an’s entire message, and the details of this summary are spread throughout the Qur’an. The same meaning applies to another of its names: Ummul-Qur’an (The Mother of the Qur’an).
7. Ash-Shifa, Ar-Ruqyah (The Cure, The Incantation), Al-Kafi, and Al-Wafi:
   These are also names of this Surah. A Hadith states that Surah Al-Fatihah is a cure for every illness. Through this Surah, ordinary ailments as well as dangerous ones like poison can be treated. It is narrated that Hazrat Abu Sa‘id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) treated a man bitten by a snake by reciting this Surah, and he was cured. I myself use this Surah to treat every illness, and by Allah’s permission, there is healing in it.

In addition, other names include: Al-Mathani (The Oft-Repeated Surah), Al-Qur’an al-‘Azim (The Glorious Qur’an), and Al-Asas (The Foundation).

Virtues of Surah Al-Fatihah

The abundance of names for Surah Al-Fatihah indicates its great importance. Moreover, many other virtues of this Surah are mentioned in the Ahadith:

1. The Prophet ﷺ swore an oath and said:
   “No Surah like Surah Al-Fatihah has been revealed in the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel, or even in the Qur’an. It is the seven oft-repeated verses and the Great Qur’an which I have been given.”
   (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 2875)

2. One day, while Jibreel (peace be upon him) was present with the Prophet ﷺ, suddenly a sound came from the sky. Jibreel looked upward and said, “Today, a door from the heavens has opened which has never been opened before.” From that door, an angel descended and said:
   “O Messenger of Allah! I have come to give you glad tidings. You have been granted two lights which were never given to any Prophet before you: one is Surah Al-Fatihah, and the other is the last verses of Surah Al-Baqarah. Whenever you recite them, whatever supplications they contain will be accepted.”
   (Narrated by Muslim Hadith no. 806)
3. The Prophet ﷺ said:
   “Surah Al-Fatihah is a cure for every illness except death.”
   He also said that “Surah Al-Fatihah is equal to two-thirds of the Qur’an” and instructed that it should be recited as a means of ruqyah (spiritual healing) for the sick.
   (Hidayat al-Qur’an – Kashifi)
4. In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah Almighty says:
   “I have divided Surah Al-Fatihah between Myself and My servant into two halves. Half of it belongs to Me and half belongs to My servant, and in it is the servant’s supplication. Whatever My servant asks for, I will grant him.”
   (Narrated by Muslim, Mishkat, Hadith no. 823)

Explanation:
Alhamdulillah is the best form of supplication because supplications are of two kinds:

1. Those in which the heart and mind are filled with the greatness of Allah and a state of humility is created.
2. Those in which one asks for the goodness of this world and the Hereafter and seeks protection from harm.

In Alhamdulillah, both types are present. When the servant says, “All praise belongs to Allah”, his heart becomes filled with humility and submission. The phrase Alhamdulillah is also an expression of gratitude, and gratitude increases blessings. Thus, the one who praises Allah is granted happiness in both worlds and is protected from all evils and trials.

Transliteration

1. Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
2. Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen
3. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
4. Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
5. Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een
6. Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
7. Siraatal-lazeena an’amta ‘alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen

Translation

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,

The Beneficent, the Merciful.

Master of the Day of Judgment,

Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.

Show us the straight path,

The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.