Introduction
Surah Al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran, often referred to as “The Opening.” It holds a special place in Islamic prayer and worship
This Surah is an essential part of daily prayers (Salah). It is recited in every unit (Rak’ah) of Salah, making it the most frequently recited chapter by Muslims.
Surah Al-Fatiha is a prayer for guidance, mercy, and forgiveness. It encapsulates a Muslim’s relationship with Allah, seeking His guidance on the straight path.
The Surah summarizes key themes of the Quran: the Oneness of Allah, His mercy, the concept of worship, and the importance of seeking His guidance.
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is believed to bring immense spiritual benefits. It is a source of healing, protection, and blessings in the lives of believers.
Many Hadiths emphasize the significance of Surah Al-Fatiha, highlighting its status as a light, a cure, and a pillar of prayer. It is often described as the “Mother of the Quran” and the “Seven Oft-Repeated Verses.”
The Surah begins by praising Allah, recognizing His attributes of mercy and compassion, and ends with a prayer for guidance away from the paths of those who have gone astray.
Surah Al-Fatiha is considered an intercessor, meaning it has the power to plead on behalf of the believer on the Day of Judgment.
Besides its obligatory recitation in prayers, Surah Al-Fatiha is also recited for various other purposes, such as seeking blessings, protection from harm, and during times of distress.
The Surah fosters a deep spiritual connection between the believer and Allah, reminding them of their dependence on Him for guidance and sustenance.
Table of Contents
Listen Surah Al-Fatiha
Read Surah Al-Fatiha Online
Video: Surah Al-Fatiha explanation in English
Verses/Transliteration/Translation
1.بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.”
2.الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Al-Ḥamdu Lillāhi Rabbil-‘Ālamīn
“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.”
3.الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
“The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.”
4.مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Māliki Yawmid-Dīn
“Master of the Day of Judgment.”
5.إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Iyyāka Na‘budu wa Iyyāka Nasta‘īn
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”
6.اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Ihdinas-Ṣirāṭal-Mustaqīm
“Guide us on the Straight Path,”
7.صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Ṣirāṭal-La dh īna An‘amta ‘Alayhim Ghayril-Maghdūbi ‘Alayhim Walā d -D āllīn
“The path of those who have received Your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath upon themselves, nor of those who have gone astray.”
Virtue- Surah Al-Fatiha
1.Guidance and Closeness to Allah:
Surah Al-Fatiha is a prayer for guidance on the straight path, helping believers stay connected with Allah and seek His assistance in their daily lives.
2.Spiritual Healing:
It is often recited for spiritual and physical healing. The Surah is considered a remedy for the heart and soul, bringing peace and tranquility.
3.Protection from Harm:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha offers protection against evil, harm, and misguidance. It is a shield against negative influences in one’s life.
4.Acceptance of Prayers:
Surah Al-Fatiha is a vital part of Salah (prayer), and its recitation ensures that the prayer is complete and accepted by Allah. It is said that no prayer is valid without it.
5.Forgiveness and Mercy:
The Surah invokes Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, making it a means for believers to seek Allah’s compassion and pardon for their shortcomings.
6.Intercession on the Day of Judgment:
It is believed that Surah Al-Fatiha will intercede for those who recite it regularly, offering them protection and favor on the Day of Judgment.
7.Increases Faith and Trust in Allah:
Regular recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha strengthens a believer’s faith, reminding them of Allah’s power, mercy, and the ultimate control He has over all matters.
8.Unity and Sincerity in Worship:
The Surah emphasizes the concept of Tawhid (the oneness of Allah) and the importance of sincere worship, fostering a strong bond between the believer and Allah.
9.Source of Blessings:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha brings abundant blessings in a person’s life, helping them to overcome challenges and achieve success in their endeavors.
10.A Comprehensive Prayer:
Surah Al-Fatiha is a complete prayer that encapsulates praise, supplication, and submission to Allah, making it a powerful tool for spiritual growth and reflection.
11.Connection to the Quran’s Core Messages:
Surah Al-Fatiha serves as a summary of the core themes of the Quran, such as the oneness of Allah, the importance of worship, and the need for guidance, helping believers connect deeply with the entire Quran.
12.Mindfulness and Focus in Prayer:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha during Salah helps to enhance mindfulness and focus, centering the believer’s thoughts on Allah and the meaning of their prayers.
13.Strengthening Patience and Perseverance:
By seeking guidance from Allah in Surah Al-Fatiha, believers are reminded to remain patient and steadfast in their faith, trusting that Allah will guide them through challenges.
14.Daily Renewal of Faith:
Each recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is a renewal of faith, a daily affirmation of belief in Allah’s sovereignty, mercy, and guidance.
15.Emphasis on Accountability:
The mention of the Day of Judgment in Surah Al-Fatiha serves as a reminder of accountability, encouraging believers to live righteously and be mindful of their actions.
16.Enhancement of Spiritual Awareness:
The Surah increases spiritual awareness by reminding believers of Allah’s mercy and the consequences of straying from His path, fostering a deeper spiritual consciousness.
17.Guidance in Making Decisions:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha when faced with difficult decisions can provide clarity and guidance, as it is a prayer for being led on the straight and righteous path.
18.Unity Among Muslims:
Surah Al-Fatiha is universally recited by Muslims around the world, symbolizing the unity of the Ummah (Muslim community) and reinforcing the shared beliefs and practices that bind them together.
19.Aid in Overcoming Doubts:
The Surah helps in dispelling doubts and uncertainties by reaffirming the believer’s faith in Allah’s wisdom and mercy, providing reassurance in times of confusion.
20.Increased Barakah (Blessings) in Life:
Regular recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is believed to bring barakah (blessings) into various aspects of life, including health, wealth, and relationships, leading to overall well-being.
Best time to recite Surah Al-Fatiha
1. During Salah (Prayers):
Surah Al-Fatiha is recited in every unit of the five daily prayers, making it an essential part of the Salah.
2. Before Starting Any Task:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha before beginning any important task or activity invites Allah’s blessings and guidance.
3. Morning and Evening:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in the morning and evening can provide protection, peace, and guidance throughout the day and night.
4. When Seeking Guidance:
If you are facing a difficult decision or situation, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha can help you seek Allah’s guidance.
5. In Times of Distress or Illness:
Surah Al-Fatiha is known for its healing properties, so it can be recited for physical and spiritual healing during times of distress or illness.
6. At Bedtime:
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha before sleeping can bring peace and protection throughout the night.
Hadith- Surah Al-Fatiha
1. The Most Excellent Surah:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, nothing like it has been revealed in the Torah, nor in the Gospel, nor in the Psalms, nor in the Qur’an. It is the seven oft-repeated verses and the Great Qur’an which has been given to me.”
Ref: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 5006
2. Surah Al-Fatiha as a Healing:
A companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) recited Surah Al-Fatiha to cure a person bitten by a scorpion. When the Prophet was informed, he said:”How did you know that it is a Ruqyah (spiritual cure)?”
Ref: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith 5736
3. Surah Al-Fatiha as a Light:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said”Allah has not revealed in the Torah, nor in the Gospel, anything similar to the Mother of the Book (Al-Fatiha).”
Ref: Jami’ At-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3125
4. Conversation with Allah:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said “Allah, the Exalted, has said: ‘I have divided the prayer (Al-Fatiha) into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.’ When the servant says: ‘All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds,’ Allah says: ‘My servant has praised Me.’…”
Ref: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 395
5. Essential Part of Salah:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said “Whoever performs a prayer in which he does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha), it is incomplete.”
Ref: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 394
6. Intercession on the Day of Judgment:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said “Recite the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection. Recite the two bright ones, Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Fatiha, for they will come as two clouds, or two shades, or two flocks of birds in ranks, pleading for those who recite them.”
Ref: Sahih Muslim, Hadith 804
7. Special Revelation:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said to Ubayy ibn Ka’b “I will teach you a Surah the like of which has never been revealed in the Torah, the Injil, the Zabur, or the Qur’an. It is the Mother of the Book (Surah Al-Fatiha).”
Ref: Sunan An-Nasa’i, Hadith 914
Stories- Surah Al-Fatiha (Inspiring Stories)
The Healing Power of Surah Al-Fatiha
A group of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) companions was traveling when they met a tribe whose leader had been bitten by a scorpion.
One of the companions recited Surah Al-Fatiha over the leader, and he was healed immediately. When they told the Prophet (ﷺ) about this, he confirmed that Surah Al-Fatiha can be used as a healing prayer.
This story shows that Surah Al-Fatiha can bring healing and relief in times of need.
Surah Al-Fatiha as Protection
A pious man was traveling through the desert and would recite Surah Al-Fatiha before each journey.
One night, as he slept, a group of robbers tried to approach him but saw a bright wall of light around him, preventing them from getting closer.
The man realized that Surah Al-Fatiha had protected him from harm.
This story highlights how Surah Al-Fatiha can serve as a protective shield against danger.
Surah Al-Fatiha in Difficult Times
A mother facing many challenges, including financial and health issues, would recite Surah Al-Fatiha every morning and night.
Over time, her problems started to resolve, her health improved, and she received unexpected help.
She believed that these blessings came from her regular recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha.
This story teaches that Surah Al-Fatiha can help bring solutions to life’s problems when recited with sincerity.
Surah Al-Fatiha Brings Guidance
A young man felt lost and unsure of his purpose in life. He began reciting Surah Al-Fatiha every day, asking Allah for guidance.
Slowly, he started to feel more clear about his path and found the strength to make positive changes in his life.
He believed that Surah Al-Fatiha guided him in the right direction.
This story shows how Surah Al-Fatiha can guide us when we are confused or lost.
A Child’s Innocent Faith
A young child who had memorized Surah Al-Fatiha would recite it often, especially before sleeping.
One night, during a storm, the child was scared but kept reciting Surah Al-Fatiha.
Despite the storm, the child slept peacefully, believing that Surah Al-Fatiha would protect them.
The next day, the child confidently told the mother that the storm couldn’t harm them because they had recited Surah Al-Fatiha.
This story shows how even a child’s faith in Surah Al-Fatiha can bring comfort and protection.
Faq- Surah Al-Fatiha
1.What is Surah Al-Fatiha?
Surah Al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran. It is also known as “The Opening” because it begins the Quran and the Muslim prayers (Salah).
2. How many verses are in Surah Al-Fatiha?
Surah Al-Fatiha has seven verses.
3. Why is Surah Al-Fatiha important in Islam?
Surah Al-Fatiha is essential because it is recited in every unit of the Muslim prayers. It is a prayer for guidance, mercy, and forgiveness, summarizing the core beliefs of Islam.
4. What does Surah Al-Fatiha mean?
Surah Al-Fatiha is a prayer that praises Allah, asks for His guidance on the straight path, and seeks protection from going astray.
5. When should Surah Al-Fatiha be recited?
Surah Al-Fatiha is recited during every unit of the five daily prayers. It can also be recited at any time for guidance, protection, or blessings.
6. What are the benefits of reciting Surah Al-Fatiha?
Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha brings spiritual healing, protection, guidance, and blessings. It is also considered a powerful prayer for seeking Allah’s help in difficult times.
7. Is Surah Al-Fatiha mentioned in Hadith?
Yes, there are many Hadiths that mention the importance of Surah Al-Fatiha. It is described as a healing prayer, a light, and an essential part of the prayer (Salah).
8. Can Surah Al-Fatiha be used for healing?
Yes, Surah Al-Fatiha is often recited as a form of spiritual healing (Ruqyah) for both physical and emotional ailments.
9. How can Surah Al-Fatiha protect us?
Surah Al-Fatiha is believed to provide protection from harm and negative influences when recited with sincerity and faith.
10. Is Surah Al-Fatiha recited in other acts of worship?
Besides Salah, Surah Al-Fatiha is also recited in other acts of worship, such as Du’a (supplication), for seeking blessings and guidance.