Surah Fatihah, Your way to Life! Part-1

Assalamualaikum Dear Brothers & Sisters,

In this special blog, Insha Allah, we Shall try imparting some important elements about one of the greatest Surahs in the Qur’an. Surah Al Fatihah, which is known and recited by Muslims in all the obligatory & voluntary prayers.

A Surah which is called ‘’Shifa’’ the cure, a complete Dua, methodology of life and guidance to mankind. It is a beautiful conversation between you and Allah. Surely mapping out life the Surah Al Fatihah way will help you get the best of both the worlds, Insha Allah.

This life is full of challenges and struggles and this Surah teaches us how to rely only on Allah and to never lose hope from the mercy of Allah.

Let’s pause and try to understand the profound definition of Surah Al Fatihah.

Meaning of ‘Al Fatihah’

Al Fatihah means that which opens, the opener. The word الفاتحة came from the root word فتح which means to open, explain, disclose. It is the summary of the whole Quran consisting of 7 verses, 29 words and 141 letters, the opening of any Salah. It is through this Surah that we seek Allah’s guidance 5 times a day and more with voluntary prayers. What a virtuous blessing, Subhan Allah!

If we only understand the wisdom behind the blessed and profound verses of this Surah it will only leave us amazed and grateful.

Importance

It teaches us about Tawheed, and methodology of life. The Qur’an opens with Surah Al Fatihah, it is the key to success but are we paying its due honor? Because we read it so often, we go almost on an autopilot mode without pondering or understanding what we are reciting. This autopilot recitation would surely lessen the effects it should leave in our lives.

Allah says, “And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an’’. surat Al-ḥijr (15:87)

Try speaking to people at the same pace that you recite Al-Fatihah in prayer and look at the reactions that you’ll get. You will get only bland response. This is exactly how you’ve been speaking to Allah, the only king of the worlds. Slow down. This isn’t how kings are addressed. It is that important part without which even our Salah is incomplete. We need to muse and reflect.

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 756)

The most important thing we were taught as child after the Kalimah (declaration of the oneness of Allah) is Surah Al Fatihah.

Abu Sa’id Ar-Rafi’ bin Al-Mu’alla (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Shall I teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur’an before you leave the mosque?” Then he (ﷺ), 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 (ﷺ) said, “It is ‘Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin (i.e., Surat Al-Fatihah) which is As-Sab’ Al-Mathani (i.e., the seven oft- repeated Ayat) and the Great Qur’an which is given to me.” (Al-Bukhari, 19)

The Cure, the Shifa

No doubt Surah Fatihah is a miracle and a healing to the body and soul. And any Miracle is a sign of the power of Allah. Any sick person can be blown the recitation of this Surah as it is Ruqya too. We know this through this well-known Hadith.

Narrated by Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri that:

Some of the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) came across a tribe amongst the tribes of the Arabs, and that tribe did not entertain them. While they were in that state, the chief of that tribe was bitten by a snake (or stung by a scorpion). They said, (to the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ)), “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 them (the Prophet’s companions) started reciting Surat-al-Fatiha and gathering his saliva and spitting it (at the snakebite). 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 (whether it is lawful).” 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 assign a share for me.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5736)

Revealed by the Special Angel

Two lights given to Prophet Mohammad ﷺ. Ibn Abbas (R.A) narrated while Gabriel was sitting with the Apostle (ﷺ) he heard a creaking sound above him. He lifted his head and said: This is a gate opened in heaven today which had never been opened before. Then when an angel descended through it, he said: This is an angel who came down to the earth who had never come down before. He greeted and said: Rejoice in two lights given to you which have not been given to any prophet before you: Fatihat al-Kitab and the concluding verses of Surah al-Baqarah. You will never recite a letter from them for which you will not be given (a reward). (Sahih Muslim 806)

Noblest Surah of the Qur’an

Anas (R.A) reported the Prophet Mohammad ﷺ saying as: “Should I not inform you of the most noble and excellent part of the Quran?” He then recited “All praise and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds” (An-Nasai)

Unique Virtues

• Opening Surah in the Qur’an
• Guidance to the Straight Path
• Key to Qur’an
• Understand the true meaning of ‘’worship’’
• Mission Statement of Every Muslim should be, ‘’Purpose of life is to worship only Allah’’
• Understand it, feel it and live with it

READ PART 2 HERE

May Allah help us understand and implement Surah Fatihah in our lives, Aameen Ya Rabb!

Muneer bint Fayaz

JazakAllahu khairan