Facebook Pixel

Surah Fatiha- Relationship of Allah with Mankind

by | Mar 16, 2022

Join Us Today

AlQuranClasses offers 1-on-1 classes at the comfort of your home under highly qualified Ustad and Ustadah. Our vision is to spread the light of the Quran among Muslims. Hurry up! Book your Free Trial of Quran Recitation with Tajweed Rules, Hifz Quran with Tarteel, and Quranic Duas.
AlQuranClasses offers a Quran Recitation course, Hifz Quran, and Quranic Duas. Book a Free Trial.
Start Free Trial

Surah Fatiha is the first chapter of the Holy Quran consists of seven verses. It is revealed in Makah. The seven verses of Surah Al-Fatiha are a prayer for the guidance, Mercy of Allah, and for the right path from which He blessed His loved one. 

Surah Fatiha has a particular significance that Allah Almighty recalls in the Surah Al-Hijr,

وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَٰكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ ٱلْمَثَانِى وَٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٱلْعَظِيمَ

And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often-repeated [verses] and the great Quran. (Al-Quran 15:82)

What is the meaning of Surah Fatiha?

Surah Fatiha is the essential chapter of the Holy Quran that describes the relationship of Allah with humankind. It tells us that Allah is our Lord and the Lord of everything that exists in both universes. Surah Al Fatiha teaches us that only He is our Lord, and all the praises are for Him, and only He will lead us to the right path and guidance

It is narrated in the Quran, 

هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الۡهُدٰى وَالۡفُرۡقَانِۚ

 “A guidance for mankind and clear evidence and discrimination (between wrong).” (Al-Quran 2:185)

Explanation of Surah Fatiha

Surah Fatiha summarizes the primary message of the Quran: the oneness of Allah and obedience to Him. Let us discuss each ayah of Surah Al-Fatiha separately to understand the meaning of this essential passage of the Quran.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

The Quran starts with the name of Allah Almighty. It emphasizes Allah’sAllah’s immense mercy, compassion, and goodwill. Allah’s displeasure and anger have also been mentioned in the Quran, but His mercy far exceeds His tendency to punish. The Prophet ﷺ said that Allah wrote in His Book, 

“Verily, My mercy overcomes My anger.” (Bukhari) 

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds.

This ayah refers to the lordship and power of Allah. This ayah means that all the praises are for Allah Almighty none matches Him in strength and authority. Others besides Him may also be praised and thanked, but to Him is due the ultimate praise and gratitude.

 ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

This ayah reiterates Allah’s compassion and mercy mentioned earlier. It explains the mercy of Allah Almighty. 

Hazrat Abu Huraira RA narrates that Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, 

“My Mercy overpowers My Anger.”

مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Shall bring people to account for their deeds in the hereafter. On the Day of Judgement shall manifest Allah’s authority, and He shall command the proceedings on that Day.

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.

After discussing some divine features, it is clarified that Allah alone should be worshiped and invoked for help. Thus, invoking any deceased person – whether a prophet, companion, or “saint” – for help or intercession is strictly forbidden and contradicts what a Muslim proclaims when reciting Surah Al-Fatiha. 

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Guide us along the Straight Path.

Humans are inclined to give in to our temptations and desires and, thus, get easily diverted from the path leading to salvation. Therefore, we call upon Allah to keep us firm on the ways He has shown us while expressing our inability to be guided by ourselves. 

صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

The path of those You have blessed—not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.

Many people live righteously and attain Allah’s blessings while others disregard or lose the way, thus incurring His displeasure. We invoke Allah to be among the former group and attain peace and prosperity in this world and the hereafter.

What are the names of Surah Fatiha?

Surah Fatiha is called with many other names like 

  • Al-Qafiyah- The Sufficient 
  • Umm al-Quran – Mother of the Quran 
  • Umm al-Kitab – Mother of the book 
  • Sabul Mathahi – The seven oft-repeated verse
  • As- Salah – The Prayer 
  • Ash-Shifa – The Cure 
  • Asas ul Quran – The foundation of the Quran 
  • Al-Hamd – Praises to Allah 
  • Al-Waqiyah – The Preventor 
  • Al-Kanz – The treasure
  • Al-Ruqqayah – The Spiritual Cure

What is the essence of Surah Fatiha? 

Surah Fatiha has the most significant importance in Quran. It is complete Dua which Allah himself teaches to Muslims. 

Anas (RA) reported the Holy Prophet ﷺ saying as:

“Should I not inform you of the noblest and excellent part of the Quran?” He then recited, “All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds” (An Nisai)

It means that Surah Al-Fatiha is the most outstanding section of the Quran, which retains the best form of Islamic teachings in a concise form.

Importance of Surah Fatiha in Prayers

As mentioned in the Hadith, the Prayer without the Surah Al-Fatiha is invalid and incomplete.

It was narrated that Aisha (RA) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (SAW) say, 

Every Prayer in which the Ummul-Kitab (the Mother of the Book) is not recited is deficient.” 

Also narrated that Holy Prophet (SAW) said,

Whoever does not Recite Al-Fatiha in his prayers, his prayers are invalid. 

Allah Responds His Creators

Abu Hurairah said: 

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said that Allah respond to His creator on every verse of Surah Fatiha, 

“Allah says, ”I have divided the prayer into two halves, Me and for My servant whatever He asks for.”

When the servant says, ”Praise be to Allah the creator of the existing worlds,” Allah says, ”My servant has thanked Me.”

When he says, ”the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate,” Allah says, ”My servant has praised Me.”

When he says, ”Master of the Day of Judgment,” Allah says, ”My servant has glorified Me.” And He says, ”My servant has submitted to Me.” 

When he says, ”You Alone we worship, and we ask for help,” Allah says, ”This is between My servant and Me and for My servant whatever he asks.”

When he says, ”Guide us to the straight path” Allah says, ”This is for My servant and My servant whatever he asks for.'”‘” 

(Muslim)

Is Surah Fatiha a cure?

Surah Al Fatiha is also known as Al Shifa, and it means the cure. Surah Fatiha is the best remedy for the diseases of the Heart and Body. 

Disease of Heart

The disease of the heart means misguidance and danger. Misguidance is due to the corruption of knowledge, and anger is due to the corruption of intent. 

For the misguidance, we seek in Surah Al Fatiha to guide us to the straight path. 

ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Guide us along the Straight Path.

And we ask Allah Almighty for the path which He bestowed to His beloved one. And seek refuge from them to whom He destroyed. 

صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

The path of those You have blessed—not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.

When we recite, 

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.

It serves as a cure for anger for the corruption of intent. By reciting this, we believe that we worship Allah alone. He alone is the creator of the existing and hereafter world.  

Diseases of Body

Surah Fatiha has a lot of beneficial effects but is the best usage for the cure. The instance of the companion of the Holy Prophet (SAW) is the best example of how Surah Al-Fatiha is beneficial for body illness.

Abu Said Al-Khudri narrates that some of the companions of the Prophet came across a tribe amongst the tribes of the Arabs. While they were in that state, the chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake. 

They said, (to the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)), “Have you got any medicine with you or anybody who can treat with Ruqya?”

The Prophet’s companions said, “You refuse to entertain us, so we will not treat your chief unless you pay us for it.” 

So they agreed to pay them a flock of sheep. 

One of the companions started reciting Surat-al-Fatiha, gathering his saliva and spitting it (at the snake-bite). The patient got cured, and his people presented the sheep to them, but they said,

 “We will not take it unless we ask the Prophet .” When they asked him, he smiled and said, 

“How do you know that Surat-al-Fatiha is a Ruqya? Take it (flock of sheep) and allot a share for me.”

What are the benefits of Surah Fatiha?

Surah Fatiha has uncountable benefits that include

  • To get rid of Poverty and face debt, recite Surah Fatiha as much as possible. 
  • It helps to remain safe from the fear of enemies. 
  • Surah Al-Fatiha is the cure for every illness.
  • It is the source of enlightenment for its reader.
  • It helps you to get rid of the pain. 
  • It helps to cure spiritual illness as well.
Kaffara: The Mandatory Charity for Sins and Missed Fasts

Kaffara: The Mandatory Charity for Sins and Missed Fasts

Discover the essence of Kaffara, the obligatory charity in Islam for atoning sins and missed fasts during Ramadan. Learn how Kaffara offers a pathway to redemption and spiritual cleansing through acts of generosity and compassion, embodying the core values of empathy and responsibility in the holy month. Explore the significance and methods of fulfilling this sacred duty, fostering spiritual growth and communal harmony.

read more
Fidya: The Complete Guide and Understanding

Fidya: The Complete Guide and Understanding

Explore the significance of Fidya in Islam with our comprehensive guide. Learn about its purpose, how to calculate the amount, and the best practices for distributing your charitable contributions to support those in need during the holy month of Ramadan.

read more

Interested? Let’s Get Started

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive notifications of our latest blogs

Share This