Surat al-Fatiha
This is the 1st Surah of The Quran but 5th in terms of revelation.
This Surah is called Surah Fatiha because The Quran starts from this Surah. Its
importance can be understood from the fact that the recitation of Surah Fatiha is
Mandatory (Fardth) in the first two rak’ats of the prayers and required (wajib) in all
other rak’ats.
Surah Fatiha consists of seven verses and in a hadith Qudsi it is referred to as “”صلوٰۃ
Allah جل جلالهAlmighty said: I have distributed the prayer (Namaz) between me and my
servant. When the servant says “Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds”, then a call
comes from Allah جل جلالهAlmighty that my servant has recited my praise (Hamd), And
then when the servant recites “Al-Rahman-ul-Raheem”, then there is a call from Allah
جل جلالهAlmighty saying that My servant has praised me again with (Sana), And when
servant recites “Malik-i-Yum-e-Din” then a call comes from Allah Almighty saying that
My servant has described My greatness and majesty or the servant has entrusted his
life to Me, And then when the servant recites “lyyak naabdu waiyak nasta’in-“, then
there is a call from Allah جل جلالهthat there is an understanding between my servant and
me, means worship will only be to Allah , جل جلالهand true assistance against hardship will
be relieved by Allah.
And when the servant recites from “Ihdin al-Sirrat al-Mustaqim”, to “Wala-Dhaaleen”,
then since these words are supplications and the servant is asking Allah جل جلالهto make
him steadfast on the straight path, then Allah جل جلالهAlmighty will call for him and says,
this is for my servant, and whatever he will ask it will be granted. (Sahih Muslim: 877)
It is usually read at times to send rewards to the deceased; this is the other reason it’s
called Surah Fatiha.
Surah Fatiha is also known as Surah Al-Dua, Surah Al-Masa’llah, Surah Al-Shifa, Surah
Al-Kanz, Surah Al-Waqiyah, Surah Al-Kafiyyah, Surah Al-Ruqiyyah, and Surah Al-Hamd.
Khulasa-e-Tafseer Page 6
It contains the description of all the praise and greatness of Allah Almighty. It also
describes the order of Allah جل جلالهthat all worship is just for Allah جل جلالهand he is a true
savior and all seekers, ask for guidance and sustenance from him.
This Surah describes the etiquettes of asking Prayers (DUA) from Allah .جل جلالهIn this
Surah true guidance (Hidayat) from Allah, has been sought. Hidayat (Guidance) is the
comprehensive word that describes the purpose of Prophets, their teaching, and a
summary of all holy books and their message. Therefore Surah Fatiah is also called the
summary of Al Quran