A Brief Explanation of Soorah al-Faatihah

by his eminence ash-Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan al-Fawzaan (PhD)

English translation prepared from the first Arabic edition authorized by the author and published by Ghaanim Ghaazee Munawwar al-Mas‘oodee, 1430h (2009).

[🔊 Audio]

1- Importance and Significance

This soorah has tremendous importance, since it is the greatest soorah in the Qur’aan, just as Aayah al-Kursee is the greatest aayah in the Qur’aan. Due to the significance of this soorah, it is written at the beginning of the mus-haf and this is why it is named Faatihah al-Kitaab (the Opening of the Book). All this goes to show its importance, and it was not placed as the first soorah in the mus-haf except due to its tremendous significance.

2- Ruling of Reciting it in Salaah

Another indication of its significance is that Allaah obligated its recitation in each rak‘ah during salaah.

The majority of scholars hold that its recitation in salaah is obligatory. If someone is able to recite it but does not do so, his salaah is invalid. This is based on the statement of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “There is no salaah for someone who did not recite Faatihah al-Kitaab.” However, if someone is unable to recite it due to him being unable to memorize it, he recites whatever other aayaat of the Qur’aan he may know. If he does not know any portion of the Qur’aan at all, he says words of thikr, such as: subhaanallaah (Allaah is perfect in every way), al-hamdu lillaah (all praise is due to Allaah), laa ilaaha illallaah (there is none worthy of worship except Allaah), Allaahu akbar (Allaah is the greatest), laa hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah (there is no might or movement except by Allaah). This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “When you stand to perform salaah, say allaahu akbar. If you know some amount of the Qur’aan, recite. Otherwise, say al-hamdu lillaah, allaahu akbar, and laa ilaaha illallaah, then move on to the rukoo‘ position…”

The majority of scholars hold that it is obligatory for the imaam (person leading others in salaah), as well as the munfarid (person performing salaah by himself), to recite Soorah al-Faatihah. However, they have differed concerning its obligation as it relates to the ma’moom (person being led in salaah by someone else). There are three views about this:

The first view is that it is obligatory for every person – whether imaam, ma’moom, or munfarid – to recite it. This is based on the statement of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “There is no salaah for someone who did not recite Faatihah al-Kitaab.” This statement is general and applies to anyone who performs salaah. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said to some of his Companions, “Is it the case that you recite behind your Imaam?” They replied, “Yes, Messenger of Allaah.” He said, “Do not do that except for Faatihah al-Kitaab, because there is no salaah for someone who did not recite it.” This is the view held by ash-Shaafi‘ee and many of the scholars of hadeeth, including al-Bukhaaree and others. They hold that its recitation is obligatory for the imaam, ma’moom, and munfarid.

The second view is that it is not obligatory for the ma’moom because the recitation of the imaam is sufficient for those following him. This is based on the statement ascribed to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “If someone has an imaam, then the recitation of the imaam is sufficient for him.” However, the chain of narration for this hadeeth is deficient and does not stand up to scrutiny.

Those who hold this view also use the statement of Allaah,

((وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنْصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ))

((And whenever the Qur’aan is recited, listen to it attentively and remain quiet in order for you to receive mercy)) [al-A‘raaf: 204]. They understand the aayah to mean that Allaah commands listening to recitation of the Qur’aan and remaining quiet, and the aayah is in reference to listening to the recitation in salaah. In other words, when the imaam recites, the ma’moom is to remain quiet and just listen. Thus, the aayah is understood to mean that the ma’moom does not recite anything, and the recitation of the imaam suffices for him as well as those following him. This view is held by Aboo Haneefah and Ahmad.

The third view – which is held by Maalik, and also chosen by ibn Taymiyyah and a number of scholars – is that its recitation is obligatory for the ma’moom when recitation in salaah is done silently and the imaam does not recite aloud, such as Thuhr and ‘Asr. As for the salaah when recitation is aloud, the recitation of the imaam is sufficient for all, and the ma’moom remains quiet and listens attentively.

Those who hold this view say that it simultaneously combines all of the evidences. The ones which obligate recitation of al-Faatihah are understood to apply to salaah in which recitation is done quietly, and the other evidences as well as the aayah are understood to apply to salaah in which recitation is aloud. This view appears to be the most balanced, in shaa’ Allaah.

3- Its Names

Several names have been given to this soorah, each of which reflects a certain meaning. When something is given many names, this shows its excellence and virtue.

It is called Faatihah al-Kitaab (the Opening of the Book) because it is written at the beginning of the mus-haf.

It is called Umm al-Qur’aan (the Mother of the Qur’aan) because the entire Qur’aan revolves around the meanings contained in this soorah, and all the meanings detailed throughout the entire Qur’aan are summarized in it.

It is called ar-Ruqyah (the Cure) because it is used to cure the ill. This is based on the saheeh narration where a group of the Companions requested that people in a certain village host them. However, those people refused. Then, the head of that village was bitten or stung – by a snake or scorpion – and his people requested the group of Companions to cure him. However, the Companions said that since the people in the village refused to host them, they would only treat him for a fee, and they agreed on a flock of sheep. One of the Companions then went to the head of the village, recited Soorah al-Faatihah upon him, and he was cured from his ailment as if he had previously been tied up and was now released.

The Companions took the sheep, but they did not make any further use of them until they asked permission from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). When they returned to him and told him all that transpired, he asked, “How did you know that it was a ruqyah?” He then also said to them, “Divide the sheep among yourselves, and make a share for me as well.”

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said, “The most deserving thing for which you could take a fee is the Book of Allaah.”

Soorah al-Faatihah is also called ash-Shaafiyah (the Remedy) because, by the permission of Allaah, it is a remedy for ailments affecting the heart – such as doubts, misconceptions, and whisperings from shaytaan – as well ailments and pains affecting the body, as in the aforementioned case with the head of the village who was bitten.

It is also called as-Sab‘ al-Mathaanee (the Seven Frequently Repeated). Allaah said,

((وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ))

((And We have granted you seven which are frequently repeated, and the tremendous Qur’aan)) [al-Hijr:87]. This is in reference to Soorah al-Faatihah because it consists of seven aayaat and they are repeated in every rak‘ah of prayer. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) also said in reference to Soorah al-Faatihah, “It is the Seven Frequently Repeated and the tremendous Qur’aan which I have been given.”

It is also called as-Salaah (the Prayer) as in the qudsee narration in which Allaah says, “I have divided as-Salaah between Myself and My worshipping servant into two halves…” and as-Salaah was then explained as being al-Faatihah.

4- Number of Aayaat

The soorah contains seven aayaat based on the aforementioned statement of Allaah,

((وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ))

((And We have granted you seven which are frequently repeated, and the tremendous Qur’aan.))

((الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ))

((All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation)) is one aayah;

((الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ))

((The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful)) is the second;

((مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ))

((Owner and Sovereign of the Day of Reckoning)) is the third;

((إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ))

((You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek assistance)) is the fourth;

((اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ))

((Guide us to the straight path)) is the fifth;

((صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ))

((The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor)) is the sixth; and

((غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ))

((Not those who have earned wrath, and not those who have gone astray)) is the seventh. This is the view held by the majority of scholars regarding the number of its aayaat.

However, ash-Shaafi‘ee held the view that

((صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ))

((The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor, not those who have earned wrath, and not those who have gone astray)) altogether is the seventh aayah, and that

((بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ))

((In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful)) is the first aayah of the soorah.

Due to this difference, in some copies of the mus-haf, the number one is written at the end of the basmalah, like this:

(( بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (1) ))

indicating that it is one of the aayaat of Soorah al-Faatihah. In other copies of the mus-haf, there is no number written after it, conforming with the view that it is not an aayah from Soorah al-Faatihah.

Thus, the basmalah is an aayah from the soorah according to ash-Shaafi‘ee, while the majority of scholars hold the view that it is not an aayah from Soorah al-Faatihah or any other soorah, with the exception of the aayah in Soorah an-Naml

((إِنَّهُ مِنْ سُلَيْمَانَ وَإِنَّهُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ))

((It is from Sulaymaan, and it is in the name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,)) [an-Naml:30], where it is a portion of that aayah by unanimous scholarly consensus.

Other than what has been mentioned, the basmalah is an independent aayah which is not specific to any soorah. This is why the number one will not be found written after it in any soorah except for al-Faatihah. The basmalah was revealed as an individual aayah which is a sort of partition between each soorah and the one before it. Thus, it is at the beginning of each soorah except for Soorah Baraa’ah because it was not revealed to the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) at the beginning of that soorah, while it was revealed to him for every other soorah. One of the possible reasons which has been suggested for that is because Baraa’ah is a continuation of Soorah al-Anfaal. It has also been suggested that its contents have to do with combat and punishment, and it begins with baraa’ah – Allaah absolving Himself and His Messenger from the mushrikeen – and mentioning mercy before such a declaration would not be suitable; and Allaah knows best.

5- Explanation of the Isti ‘aathah and Basmalah

أَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

I seek refuge in Allaah from ash-shaytaan ar-rajeem

This phrase is, without doubt, not part of Soorah al-Faatihah. It is only said in fulfillment of the command of Allaah,

((فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ))

((And when you recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from ash-shaytaan ar-rajeem)) [an-Nahl:98]. Thus, when a Muslim wishes to recite the Qur’aan he should say a‘oothu billaahi min ash-shaytaan ar-rajeem at the onset of his recitation.

A‘oothu means: I seek refuge with Allaah, Most Glorious and Most High, and I seek His protection from this enemy, shaytaan.

Shaytaan refers to any completely rebellious, disobedient being, whether human, jinn, or animal. It is either derived from shaata which means to become intense, or from shatana which means to be distanced, and that is because the shaytaan is distanced and far removed from any type of goodness.

Rajeem means something which is hurled or cast out, since flames from the heavens are hurled at the shayaateen and they are unable to listen to things that are said in the heavens. They are also cast out by the mention and remembrance of Allaah. Thus, shaytaan is driven out and away from all forms of good, and the Muslim must take recourse to His Lord and seek refuge with Him from shaytaan so as to not be harmed. The Muslim must also seek refuge with Allaah from the hamz, nafkh, and nafth of shaytaan as has been narrated from the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Hamz can refer to possession, since shaytaan may sometimes take control of a person and he may become insane. This type of possession is something that comes from shaytaan, as Allaah said,

((الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ))

“…a person driven by shaytaan to insanity” [al-Baqarah:275]. Thus, shaytaan enters a person and pervades his body just as his own blood does, and shaytaan may sometimes take possession of a person. If Allaah does not protect someone from shaytaan, shaytaan can harm that person with whisperings, misconceptions, and even possession leading to insanity.

Nafkh refers to haughtiness and arrogance which are things that come from shaytaan since he blows into a person and inflates his ego and his sense of conceited pride.

Nafth refers to rhymes and poetry. Allaah said,

((وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ))

((and the poets are followed by people who are astray)) [ash-Shu‘araa’:224]. Rhymes and poetry are from shaytaan, unless they are clean and have good contents and meanings; in this case they would be praiseworthy. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Some types of speech can captivate and put the listener into a trance; and some types of poetry contain profound wisdom.” However, the majority of rhymes and poetry are of a bad nature, and they are from the nafth of shaytaan.

Nafth can also refer to witchcraft and black magic. Allaah said,

((وَمِنْ شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ))

((and from the evil of those who blow upon knots when they cast their spells)) [al-Falaq:4].

It is mustahabb to say the isti‘aathah before recitation both in and out of salaah based on the statement of Allaah,

((فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ))

((And when you recite the Qur’aan, seek refuge with Allaah from ash-shaytaan ar-rajeem)), and this applies to all circumstances in general, whether performing salaah or not.

((بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ))

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful

The letter baa in the basmalah signifies seeking assistance from Allaah. Thus, the intended meaning is: I seek assistance in the name of Allaah, or I seek protection in the name of Allaah. Also, in terms of the Arabic construction of this phrase, the word ism (name) is mufrad (singular) and it is in a construction of idaafah which entails that it applies to all the names that Allaah possesses. Thus, the meaning conveyed would be: I seek refuge in - and seek goodness from - all the names of Allaah, the Most Exalted. All of Allaah’s names contain infinite goodness, and are used in order to attain goodness. Allaah said,

((تَبَارَكَ اسْمُ رَبِّكَ ذِي الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ))

((Infinite goodness is in the names of Your Lord, the Owner of all Glory and Bounty)) [ar-Rahmaan:78]. In addition, part of what the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said while supplicating at the beginning of salaah is, “wa tabaarakasmuka (and Your names contain all goodness)”. Hence, the name of Allaah is something by which you attain all forms of good, and this is what you seek from all of Allaah’s names. When you say bismillaah, the letter baa and the word ism after it are linked to words which are omitted, and we infer these as being: I seek good from, and I seek refuge in, the names of Allaah.

The word Allaah is the proper name which applies to the supreme being who is the one deserving of all worship. Allaah is one of His greatest names and it conveys the meaning of the one who is to be deified and worshipped. Thus, Allaah is the one deserving of all worship, and the one to be sought out in fulfilling all of one’s needs.

Ar-Rahmaan is a name of Allaah which entails His attribute of mercy, and ar-Raheem is also a name of Allaah which entails His attribute of mercy. Therefore, ar-Rahmaan and ar-Raheem are both names of Allaah, and rahmah (mercy) is one of His attributes. Each name of Allaah denotes a certain one of His attributes.

The distinction between ar-Rahmaan and ar-Raheem is that the former refers to His mercy which is general and encompasses all of His creation, while the latter refers to His mercy which He bestows upon the people of eemaan specifically, as Allaah said,

((وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا))

((He is ever merciful to the people of eemaan)) [al-Ahzaab:43].

6- Explanation of the Aayaat in Soorah al-Faatihah

((الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ))

All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation

Hamd is praise of Allaah, the Most Perfect and Exalted. Allaah is praised for His names, attributes, and actions. Hamd (praise) is more comprehensive in meaning than shukr (gratitude), since shukr is only offered for actions. As for hamd, it is given for names, attributes, and actions. Thus, hamd is more comprehensive than shukr, and this is the distinction between the two terms.

The al in al-hamdu lillaahi conveys the idea that all forms of praise are due to Allaah, the Most Exalted; they all belong to Him and He deserves them. Nothing deserves all praise in an absolute sense besides Allaah, Most Majestic and Exalted, because He is the One who bestows all blessings in an absolute sense, and it follows that praise belongs to Him absolutely. Thus, al-hamdu lillaahi means that all forms of praise are due to Allaah, the Most Exalted.

As for any created being, it can only be praised in proportion to the good that emanates from it; however, since Allaah is the one who put the good in that created being, the origin of that praise still returns back to Allaah, Most Mighty and Majestic.

The Rabb is the one who nurtures His creatures with His blessings and has complete dominion over them all. Rabb refers to the one who nurtures. It further refers to the one who owns, as Allaah is the owner of all creation. It also refers to the one who renders everything in order and puts everything in its suitable place, as Allaah is the one who sets things in order for His worshipping servants. The term ar-Rabb in the definitive sense is not to be used to refer to anything except Allaah, the Most Exalted. The word “Rabb ” on its own – without the prefix in ar-Rabb – may be used in a restricted, limited sense to refer to things other than Allaah, as in a construction which expresses ownership such as the rabb of a house, or the rabb of a set of camels, referring to the owner. However, ar-Rabb and Rabb al-‘Aalameen are only to be used in reference to Allaah, and it is incorrect to describe anything else with these terms.

Al-‘Aalameen is the plural of ‘aalam which refers to everything besides Allaah. This covers many realms, including humans, jinns, angels, inanimate objects, animals and others. Only Allaah knows all the realms that exist within the creation; all of them comprise ‘aalameen, Allaah is their Rabb, and nothing is excluded from this quality He has over them.

((الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ))

The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful

Ar-Rahmaan and ar-Raheem were already discussed in the explanation of the basmalah.

((مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ))

Owner and Sovereign of the Day of Reckoning

There are some recitations which say Maalik and others which say Malik. Both are valid, and Allaah is the Maalik (Sole Owner) as well as the Malik (Supreme Sovereign).

Ad-Deen refers to being held accountable for one’s deeds and also being recompensed for them. Allaah said,

((كَلَّا بَلْ تُكَذِّبُونَ بِالدِّينِ))

((On the contrary, you deny ad-deen,)) [al-Infitaar:9] and also,

((أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ))

((Have you seen the person who denies ad-deen?)) [al-Maa‘oon:1] and also,

((فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدِّينِ))

((So what is it that would still cause you to deny ad-deen after this?)) [at-Teen:7]. All of these are in reference to denying being brought back to life on the Day of Resurrection, being held accountable for deeds, and being recompensed for them.

Despite Allaah being the Sole Owner and Supreme Sovereign of all days, the Day of ad-Deen was specifically mentioned because no one will own anything or have authority over anything on that day except Allaah alone. He said,

((لِمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ))

((Who is it that owns all dominion on this day? All of it belongs to Allaah, the Unique, the One who overpowers all else)) [Ghaafir:16]. On that day, rulers and subjects will all be equal, and none will have any sort of authority except Allaah, Most Majestic and Exalted. This is the significance of making specific reference to Allaah being the only owner and authority on the Day of ad-Deen – despite Him having that quality for all other days as well – since authority will be removed from everyone else but Him. This is also in line with the hadeeth which mentions that on that day Allaah, the Most Exalted, will say, “I am the Sole Sovereign! Where are the arrogant? Where are the haughty?” This is similar to the aforementioned statement of Allaah,

((لِمَنِ الْمُلْكُ الْيَوْمَ لِلَّهِ الْوَاحِدِ الْقَهَّارِ))

((Who is it that owns all dominion on this day? All of it belongs to Allaah, the Unique, the One who overpowers all else)). All people will be equals on that day: kings, slaves, nobles, impoverished, and affluent. None will have any distinction over another except by way of righteous deeds.

((إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ))

You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek assistance

Iyyaka na‘budu means we specify You with acts of worship. Iyyaka was put first to convey the idea that worship is being directed only to Allaah, and none else deserves worship except Him. This construction falls under what is called hasr in the Arabic language, and it conveys the meaning “none deserves to be worshipped except You.”

Nasta‘een refers to seeking assistance, and doing so is itself an act of worship. Therefore, we may wonder why was it specifically mentioned despite it being part of what preceded in the phrase iyyaka na‘budu? Scholars have explained that this is a case of first mentioning something comprehensive and then mentioning a specific instance of it afterwards. Worship is the right of Allaah, while receiving assistance is the right of His servants, since it is the creation that seeks assistance from Allaah and asks Him to fulfil their needs.

Iyyaka was repeated twice to emphasize the fact that nothing deserves to be worshipped except Allaah, and assistance is not to be sought from anything other than Allaah. In fact, all of Islaam revolves around worshipping Allaah and seeking His assistance, which are both in the phrase iyyaka na‘budu wa iyyaka nasta‘een.

((اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ))

Guide us to the straight path

This is a supplication in which a request is made. Al-hamdu lillaahi rabbil-‘aalameen at the beginning of the soorah is a supplication of worship. This distinction is made since supplications are classified into two categories: the first category is supplications of worship, and this category comprises praise and glorification of Allaah; the second category is supplications in which a request is made, and an instance of this is from ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem until the end of Soorah al-Faatihah, where one asks for guidance to the straight path.

Ihdinaa is a request for guidance in the form of being shown what is correct. Guidance may be classified into four categories, but the most important of them are two:

The first category of guidance is directing someone to what is right. This type of guidance is the more general of them from two perspectives. It is more general from the perspective of the guidance itself, because it is given to both the mu’min and kaafir alike. Allaah has given this type of guidance to the kaafir by showing and directing him to what is correct, as in the statement of Allaah,

((وَأَمَّا ثَمُودُ فَهَدَيْنَاهُمْ فَاسْتَحَبُّوا الْعَمَى عَلَى الْهُدَى))

((As for Thamood, We gave them direction. However, they preferred blindness over guidance)) [Fussilat:17]. It is also more general from the perspective of the one providing the guidance and direction, because it includes the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and those who follow him. Allaah told His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam),

((وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ))

((You indeed guide to a path which is straight.)) [ash-Shooraa:52].

The second category of guidance is enabling someone to accept what is right. This type of guidance is the more specific of them from the same two perspectives which were just mentioned. In other words, this category of guidance is only granted to the mu’min, and it is something which only Allaah can provide. This is why Allaah stated that His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) could not provide this type of guidance. Allaah told His Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam),

((إِنَّكَ لَا تَهْدِي مَنْ أَحْبَبْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ))

((You cannot guide those whom you love guidance for. Rather, Allaah guides whom He wills.)) [al-Qasas:56].

Thus, ihdinaa is a request for both types of guidance from Allaah: to be shown and directed to what is right, as well as to be enabled to accept it and remain firm in following it.

As-Siraat literally means a path upon which humans and other creatures walk. However, the intended meaning of as-siraat here is the path that comprises Islaam, the Qur’aan, and the Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). These are referred to as paths because each of them is a path that leads to Allaah, the Most Exalted.

Al-Mustaqeem means straight without any divergence, and clear without any obscurity, such that anyone who traverses it would not stray from it or get lost. Contrary to this are the many divergent, crooked paths where one becomes lost and strays from his objective. This is why Allaah said,

((وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ وَصَّاكُمْ بِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ))

((This is My straight path. Therefore, follow it, and do not follow the other divergent paths as they will divert you from Allaah’s path. This is what He has commanded you in order that you would observe taqwaa)) [al-An‘aam:153]. Hence, the path of Allaah is one and has no divergence, crookedness, or obscurity; whereas the other divergent paths are crooked and lead one astray – and we implore Allaah to protect us from that.

This is the reason behind what the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did when he recited this aayah: ((This is My straight path. Therefore, follow it, and do not follow the other divergent paths.)) He drew one straight line and then drew many other divergent lines off to its right and left. He then said in reference to the straight line, “This is the path of Allaah,” and he said about the other lines, “These are the other divergent paths. Each of them has a shaytaan calling to it.”

((صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ))

The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor

Allaah sometimes ascribes this path to Himself, as in

((وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيمًا))

((This is My straight path)) [al-An‘aam:153], as well as

((وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ . صِرَاطِ اللَّهِ))

((You indeed guide to a path which is straight: the path of Allaah.)) [ash-Shooraa:52-53]. Allaah ascribes the path to Himself because it is the path which leads to Him, and He is the one who has directed all people to it, clarified it, and commanded that it be followed. Thus, its ascription to Allaah shows its honor and distinction, as well as the fact that it leads to Allaah.

However, sometimes Allaah ascribes this path to those who follow and traverse it, as in the aayah here in Soorah al-Faatihah, ((The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor.)) The path is ascribed to these people because they are the ones who traverse it, contrary to others who follow the divergent paths which cause them to get lost and lead them astray.

The favor referred to is that of guiding them to this correct path and allowing them to accept it and follow it, and this is the greatest of favors that someone can have from Allaah. These people have been specified by Allaah in His statement,

((وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ فَأُولَئِكَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالصِّدِّيقِينَ وَالشُّهَدَاءِ وَالصَّالِحِينَ))

((And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger shall be with those upon whom Allaah has bestowed His favor: among the Prophets, the siddeeqeen (those who are foremost in affirming the truthfulness of what the Prophets brought), the shuhadaa’ (those who are martyred in the path of Allaah), and the saaliheen (those who are the righteous worshipping servants of Allaah)…)) [an-Nisaa’:69]. These are the people who follow this path. The first category comprises the Prophets, and they are the foremost of all who follow it; next are the siddeeqeen, and they are the best of all creation after the Prophets; next are the shuhadaa’ martyred in the path of Allaah, and they come after the siddeeqeen in rank; and next come the saaliheen, and they comprise all the rest of the people of eemaan.

Thus, the people who follow this straight path are of levels: first come the Prophets, may Allaah send salaah and salaam upon them all; next come the siddeeqeen; next come the shuhadaa’; and next come the saaliheen from every people and nation.

We implore Allaah to make us followers of this straight path and place us in the company of those aforementioned people. Allaah said about them,

((وَحَسُنَ أُولَئِكَ رَفِيقًا))

((and they are certainly the finest of company to be part of)) [an-Nisaa’:69]. However, when a person traverses that straight path, he may find pressures, problems, and harms in this world, and he may feel estranged and alone. People may physically harm him, perhaps mock him, or also threaten and insult him. Yet, when he calls to mind the company he is in – those upon whom Allaah has bestowed His favor – he finds tranquility and he can persevere through whatever he faces along the way. The path he traverses is surrounded by hardships and adverse circumstances, and it is not a bed of roses. Therefore, it is necessary for you to traverse that path while persevering with great patience and firm resolve, and one of the things which will assist you in doing so is to realize you are in the company of those aforementioned people. However, this is something which requires eemaan, and few are those who are guided to this reality.

((وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا الَّذِينَ صَبَرُوا وَمَا يُلَقَّاهَا إِلَّا ذُو حَظٍّ عَظِيمٍ))

((None are guided to such praiseworthy qualities except those who patiently persevere, and none attain that level except those who will receive a tremendous reward)) [Fussilat:35].

The people upon whom Allaah has bestowed His favor are those who have beneficial knowledge and perform righteous actions, among the Prophets, siddeeqeen, shuhadaa’, and saaliheen.

((غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ))

Not those who have incurred wrath, and not those who have gone astray

((Not those who have incurred wrath)) refers to those who have knowledge but do not act accordingly. They are people who have beneficial knowledge and understanding, yet they do not perform the deeds which are in conformity with the knowledge they have. Thus, they incur wrath since they disobey Allaah while fully aware of what they are doing. This description applies to all who do not act in conformity with their knowledge, and at the head of such people are the yahood since they had knowledge, and Allaah described them as people of scripture and people who possessed knowledge. However, they did not act in accordance with their knowledge, and this caused them to incur the wrath of Allaah. Yet, it must be kept in mind that all this is not specific to them alone; rather, it is general and applies to anyone who follows that same course of acquiring knowledge but not acting in accordance with it.

((Not those who have gone astray)) refers to those who act without having necessary knowledge, since acting in such a manner shows that they are not following any type of sound guidance. They are like a person who wanders about not knowing where he is going. When someone wanders about the Earth without knowing where to go or which path to follow, is he not referred to – in a literal sense – as being lost or straying? Is it not also perhaps said that he is putting himself in great danger? Similarly, when someone acts without necessary knowledge, he is astray – and we implore Allaah to protect us from that. This is the case even if a person performs many deeds, puts himself through great hardship, wails and weeps, earnestly desires Jannah, and thinks he is drawing closer to Allaah. The fact that he did not traverse the right path will prevent him from reaching his destination. The phrase ((those who have gone astray)) includes the nasaaraa due to them acting without knowledge, and it also includes people who follow various superstitions and innovated acts ascribed to Islaam, since their actions are not based upon knowledge.

Therefore, when someone prays or recites this soorah, he is asking Allaah to protect him from these two categories of people: those who possess knowledge but do not act in conformity with it, and those who act without having necessary knowledge.

There are currently certain groups and organizations which discourage people from knowledge and being educated. They tell people to engage themselves with certain acts of worship or words of remembrance, and to set out with them “fee sabeelillaah” as they put it. However, what they really mean by “fee sabeelillaah” is to merely travel to various places and move about, while they discourage people from acquiring knowledge of Islaam, and they belittle that knowledge and the people who have it! This approach is misguidance, and we seek refuge with Allaah from it. It is necessary to have knowledge first, based on the statement of Allaah,

((فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لِذَنْبِكَ))

((Have knowledge that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, and seek forgiveness for your sin.)) [Muhammad:19] Here, Allaah began with knowledge before statement and action.

The aforementioned aayaat from Soorah al-Faatihah show that people fall into three categories with respect to knowledge and deeds:

There are those who combine beneficial knowledge with righteous deeds, and these are the ones upon whom Allaah bestows His favor. It is their path which you ask Allaah to guide you to when you recite this soorah.

In contrast, there are those who have knowledge but neglect deeds, and these are the people who have incurred wrath, regardless of what affiliation they have or what religion they ascribe to. There are also those who take action and perform deeds but without having any knowledge, and these are the people who are astray. Both of these last two categories have lost out, and we ask Allaah to protect us from that.

Therefore, if you contemplate this soorah, you should realize how profoundly important it truly is, and you should realize that Allaah did not prescribe it be recited in every rak‘ah of prayer except due to its outstanding prominence over every other soorah.

Another aspect of this prominence is the tremendous supplication which the soorah contains: a supplication of praise and worship at the beginning, and a supplication of request at the end. The entire soorah is a supplication, and this is why it is mustahabb for the imaam, ma’moom, and munfarid to say aameen after reciting it while praying. Aameen means “O Allaah, respond to this supplication.” It is a request for Allaah to respond to the supplication in this soorah. Although it is not waajib to say aameen while praying, it remains mustahabb for the imaam, ma’moom, and munfarid to say aameen aloud if the recitation in prayer is aloud, and to say it silently if the recitation is silent.

7- Some Merits of the Soorah

One of the merits which shows the significance of this soorah is reported in a hadeeth qudsee which is collected in Saheeh Muslim. The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told us that Allaah said, “I have divided as-Salaah between Myself and My worshipping servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he requests.” The intended meaning of “as-Salaah” here is Soorah al-Faatihah, which is named as-Salaah due to it being recited during prayer (Salaah), as well as the fact that Salaah literally means supplication (Du‘aa’), and Soorah al-Faatihah is a supplication.

Bearing in mind that the soorah contains seven aayaat, the statement “between Myself and My worshipping servant into two halves” means that three-and-a-half of the aayaat are for Allaah, and three-and-a-half are for the servant.

When he says, ((All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation,)) Allaah, Most Exalted, says, “My servant has praised Me.”

When he says, ((The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful,)) Allaah, Most Exalted, says, “My servant has glorified Me.”

When he says, ((Owner and Sovereign of the Day of Reckoning,)) Allaah, Most Exalted, says, “My servant has extolled Me.”

When he says, ((You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek assistance,)) Allaah, Most Exalted, says, “This is between Myself and My servant, and My servant shall have what he requests.”

((You alone we worship)) is for Allaah, while ((and from You alone we seek assistance)) is for the servant. Therefore, the portion for the servant is from ((and from You alone we seek assistance)) until the end of the soorah because he asks of his Lord within it. In contrast, the portion for Allaah is from ((All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation…)) up to ((You alone we worship)) because this is all praise for Allaah, Most Majestic and Exalted. All of this reflects the true greatness of this soorah.

Thus, when the servant says, ((Guide us to the straight path; the path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favor, not those who have incurred wrath, and not those who have gone astray,)) Allaah then says, “This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he requests.”

8- Other Points Gleaned from the Soorah

Among the things which further demonstrate the significance of this soorah are statements the scholars have made about the tremendously profound meanings which it contains.

Firstly, it affirms the three categories of tawheed. ((All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation)) reflects tawheed ar-ruboobiyyah. ((The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Owner and Sovereign of the Day of Reckoning)) reflects tawheed al-asmaa’ was-sifaat. ((You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek assistance)) reflects tawheed al-uloohiyyah. Thus, it contains reference to the three categories of tawheed.

Secondly, it affirms that Messengers were sent. ((Rabb of all creation)) affirms the ruboobiyyah of Allaah, and that implies that He would not neglect His servants, leaving them without the things which would lead to their betterment. One of the things that is most advantageous for them is to send Messengers to them, and this is evident in the statement ((Guide us to the straight path)) since that path cannot be clearly distinguished without sending Messengers to mankind. Thus, it contains reference to Messengers being sent.

Thirdly, this soorah disproves various misguided factions.

It disproves the ideas of the mulhideen, who deny the existence of a supreme Lord altogether. ((Rabb of all creation”)) disproves those who claim that this world has no supreme Lord and it is the creation which makes itself, and nature which originates everything. Such a claim defies the intellect since every created thing must have a maker, and it is not possible for things to happen within this creation without some agent to make them happen. All things in this world are indicative of their Creator as well as the fact that He is the one who brought them into being and regulates them.

This soorah also disproves the ideas of the mushrikeen, who believe in a supreme Lord, yet still worship others along with Him. ((All praise is due to Allaah, Rabb of all creation)), ((You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek assistance)), and ((Guide us to the straight path)) all of these disprove the idea of worshipping Allaah while also worshipping others at the same time.

This soorah also disproves certain ideas of the jahmiyyah, mu‘tazilah, and others who deny the attributes of Allaah.

It further disproves those who deny being brought back to life after passing on from this world. ((Owner and Sovereign of the Day of Reckoning)) refers to the day when everyone will be taken to account and given fair recompense. Thus, it affirms being brought back to life after death.

It disproves the methods followed by the yahood and nasaaraa as well as others who either follow the course of having knowledge but not acting in conformity with it, or follow the course of taking action without having sound knowledge. Thus, it reprimands any knowledgeable person who does not act in compliance with his knowledge, as well as anyone who takes action without basing it on sound knowledge.

This is why scholars have said that this soorah disproves all the various factions there are. Thus, it deserves to be called Umm al-Kitaab because the Umm of any unit is the thing which all the components of that unit return back to and revolve around; and all of the Qur’aan returns back to this soorah since all of Qur’aan revolves around the meanings which Soorah al-Faatihah contains.

This magnificent soorah is recited and repeated by multitudes of people, but that may merely be done verbally without having any concept or comprehension of what it actually means. To such people, it is merely something they say as if it were a formula in a foreign language. This is dreadfully incorrect and it is a devastating shortcoming, as the Qur’aan was revealed for us to reflect upon it and understand what it means.

In conclusion, Allaah knows best, and may He send salaah and salaam upon our Prophet, Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions.