If you wish to learn about Surah Al-Fatihah, this article will guide you! Surah Al-Fatihah is one of the Quran’s most recited and most popular surahs. This article is dedicated to answering people’s frequently asked questions about Surah Al-Fatihah along with clarifying Surah’s most important lessons and benefits. If you wish to learn more, follow this article.
Here we will learn the following:
What Is The Meaning of Surah Al-Fatihah?
Al-Fatihah is an Arabic word that means the opening or the introduction. It is the very first Surah in the holy Quran, that’s why it is named Al-Fatihah.
Surah Al-Fatihah is the best Surah in the Quran as it introduces the whole of it. Despite its short structure and the small number of verses, it comprises the fundamental basis of Islam and teaches the most important lessons.
Surah Al-Fatihah is the most recited Surah in the Quran. It is recited seventeen times at least during the day and night in each rak’a of prayer. Moreover, it is frequently recited for its great authenticated benefits as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us.
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Surah Fatiha Benefits:
Surah Al-Fatihah is one of the great Surahs of the Quran that consists of great benefits narrated by authentic hadiths. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss these benefits in brief.
1. Surah Al-Fatihah is a Fundamental Pillar Of Prayer
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Who does not recite Fatihat al-Kitab (Surah Al-Fatiha) is not credited with having observed prayer.” (Mishkat al-Masabih 822)
2. Surah Al-Fatihah Is A Ruqya And A Cure For Disease
It happened that a group of Muslims were on a trip and passed by an ill person. One of these Muslims recited Surah Al-Fatihah over this sick person and he was cured. When they returned to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he acknowledged what the man did and said: “’How did you know it was Ruqyah?’ Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2064
Surah Al-Fatiha is not only a cure. However, it is considered a Ruqya which is a means of protection against evils as: the devil, black magic, envy, and illness. One can recite it when he fears any of these evils or aims at getting cured of them.
3. Surah A-Fatihah Is The Greatest Surah Of The Quran
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that Surah Al-Fatihah is the greatest Surah in the Quran in several Hadiths.
One of The Prophet’s companions narrated: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Shall I teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur’an before you leave the mosque?”
Then he (PBUH), took me by the hand, and when we were about to step out, I reminded him of his promise to teach me the greatest Surah in the Qur’an.
He (PBUH) replied, “It is Surah Al-Fatihah” Riyad as-Salihin 1009
4. Surah Al-Fatihah Is The Greatest Surah Of All The Previous Scriptures
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “By Him in whose hand my soul is, nothing like it (Surah Al-Fatihah) has been sent down in the Torah, the Injīl, the Zabūr, or the Qur’ān” Mishkat al-Masabih 2142
5. Surah Al-Fatihah Is A Conversation Between You And Allah (SWT)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated that Allah (SWT) said he divided the prayer between Him and his servant, where when a Muslim narrates a verse of Surah Al-Fatihah, Allah (SWT) directly replies to him and accepts his prayers.
6. A Special Door of Heaven Was Opened For Surah Al-Fatihah
It was narrated in an authentic hadith that a special angel descended from a special door from heaven giving good tidings on the virtues of Surah Al-Fatihah. Mishkat al-Masabih 2124
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Lessons of Surah Al-Fatihah
The lessons of Surah Al Fatiha are numerous and great. They are mainly related to the pure Islamic monotheistic Faith and Aqeeda as follows:
1. Bismillah is The Best Start Of Any Deed
Allah taught us to Start reading the Quran by Bismillah. Likewise, starting any deed with the name of Allah is a blessing.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) ordered Muslims to start their food and drink, to enter their homes, or even the bathroom, to begin ablution, to slaughter animals, and to begin their relationships with their wives by saying Bismillah.
2. Start Your Duaa With Allah’s Praise
Surah Al-Fatiha is divided into two parts, the first part is praise to Allah by his glorified names. While the second part is a prayer to Allah to guide us through the right path.
Allah (SWT) has practically taught us in Surah Al-Fatihah how to properly perform duaa, where A duaa that starts with Allah’s praise is likely to be accepted.
3. Allah (SWT) Has The Best of Attributes
Allah (SWT) has the best names and attributes. There were several names mentioned in Surah Al-Fatihah as ‘Rabb’, ‘Al-Rahman’, and ‘Al-Raheem’.
‘Rabb’ means the lord, the sustainer, and the protector. ‘Al-Rahman’ is the one who is entirely merciful to the whole of mankind. ‘Al-Raheem’ is especially merciful for Muslims and believers.
Allah (SWT) ordered people to pray to him by his names. He (SWT) said in the Quran: “Allah has the Most Beautiful Names. So call upon Him by them” (Quran 7:180)
4. Allah (SWT) Owns The Day of Judgment
Allah (SWT) was named in Surah Al-Fatihah by ‘Malik Yaum Al-deen’. This means the owner and the only king of the day of judgment.
Allah owns everything before the day of judgment. However, people may have limited ownership during life where everything is actually owned by Allah. Whereas, On the day of judgment, no one would literally own anything but Allah (SWT).
Allah says in the Quran that on the day of judgment He will call upon creatures after all of them die saying: “To whom belongs [all] sovereignty this Day? To Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.” (Quran 40:16)
5. A Muslim Should Perform Tawakkul
The duaa in Surah Al-Fatihah started by saying “You (Allah) ˹alone˺ we worship and You (Allah) ˹alone˺ we ask for help.”
This refers to the meaning of Tawakkul in Islam. A Muslim should rely on Allah (SWT) in everything along with doing all his best.
Tawakkul is not restricted to worldly affairs. However, a Muslim should rely upon Allah and asks for His guidance during performing worship. He should always feel he is needy of Allah, and that he cannot do without Allah’s support and guidance.
6. A Muslim Should Worship Allah Alone
The formerly discussed verse “You (Allah) ˹alone˺ we worship and You (Allah) ˹alone˺ we ask for help.” establishes the great concept of Tawheed (Monotheism) in Islam. A Muslim should worship Allah alone and never associate with Him any partners.
7. A Muslim Should Always Ask Allah For Guidance
Asking Allah for guidance is the core of Surah Al-Fatihah. After praising Allah and asking for His help, we ask for Allah’s guidance on the straight path.
This shows the importance of asking for guidance as Allah (SWT) ordered us to recite this duaa daily at different times.
8. A Muslim Should Never Follow The Footsteps Of Jews And Christians
Jews were described in Surah Al-Fatihah as those whom Allah is displeased with as they knew the truth and rejected it. Whereas Christians were described as those who went astray as they worshipped God without knowledge. Muslims ask Allah to neither follow Jews nor Christians as they should learn the truth and then follow it.
9. A Muslim Should Have The Right Role Model
Allah (SWT) clarified in Surah Al-Fatihah the right role models for Muslims. They are those whom Allah has blessed. He (SWT) further clarified their attributes in Quran 4:69.
10. A Muslim Should Attribute All The Favors To Allah
Allah (SWT) taught Muslims to ask Him to guide them to the path of whom He (SWT) had blessed. This is a lesson to every Muslim to never attribute the reason for his guidance to himself. However, he should attribute it to Allah’s mercy and blessings.
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Names Of Surah Al-Fatihah:
Surah Al-Fatihah is not only named Al-Fatiha. However, it has several names as narrated in the Quran and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). These names are related to Surah Al-Fatihah’s benefits in several ways. Among these names are:
- Al Saba’ Al-Mathany:
This means the seven repeated verses, as Surah Al-Fatiha consists of seven verses. Moreover, it is repeated in each rak’a in prayer.
- Al-Shafia / Al-Shifaa:
This means the one who cures /or the cure. This will be discussed in detail in Surah Al-Fatiha benefits section.
- Al-Kafia:
This means the one who protects or is enough for someone. This is related to The Surah benefits and would be further discussed in the next paragraphs.
- Al-Ruqia:
Al-Ruqya is a set of verses and prayers that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to teach us to recite in case of illness, envy, black magic…etc. This Ruqya is a means of protection and cure.
- Umm Al-Quran:
Umm is a derivation from the Arabic word ‘Imam’; which means the one who stands in front of the crowd. Umm Al-Quran is the Surah that stands in front of the Quran, namely its introduction.
- Al-Quran Al-Azeem:
This means the great Quran owing to the fact that Surah Al-Fatihah is the greatest Surah of Quran, as discussed in Surah Al-Fatihah benefits.
- Fatihat Al-Kitab:
Fatihat Al-Kitab is the opening, start, and introduction of ‘Al-Kitab’ which is the Quran book.
- Al-Salat:
Al-Salat literally means prayer. Surah Al-Fatihah has named the prayer owing to its repetitive recitation during prayers during the day and night.
- Al-Hamd:
Al-Hamd literally means praise which refers to the very first of Surah Al-Fatihah. It starts by praising Allah (SWT) the lord of everything. This should be the attitude of a Muslim at the beginning of any deed, and this will be further discussed in Surah Al-Fatihah lessons.
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Surah Fatiha Message:
Surah Al-Fatihah’s message is mainly about Tawheed. That is mainly the oneness of Allah as a creator and God. It comprises the greatest Attributes of Allah as ‘Al-Rahman’, ‘Al-Raheem’, and ‘Al-Rabb’. It teaches people how to ask Allah for guidance. Moreover, it reflects on the day of judgment and teaches fundamental lessons related to the basics of Islam.
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Summary Of Surah Al-Fatihah
Surah Al-Fatihah is the greatest Surah of the Quran. It is the opening of the Quran which comprises the fundamentals and the very basics of Islam.
Surah Al-Fatihah has many names owing to its great virtues and benefits. It also includes so many lessons that are worth proper understanding.
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