This chapter is called Al-Fatihah, which can mean “the Opener of the Book”. Therefore, the prayers should begin with the recitation of this chapter. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Sunan An-Nasa’i, number 910.
It has been referred to as “the Mother of the Book”, by none other than, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This is mentioned in a Hadith found in Sunan An-Nasa’i, number 915.
In a Hadith found in Sunan Ibn Majah, number 3785, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has declared Al Fatihah as the greatest chapter of the Holy Quran. It is a possible reason why the prayer is considered defective if this chapter is not recited in it. This is supported by a Hadith found in Sunan An-Nasa’i, number 910.
The Holy Quran consists of seven subjects. All of which have been briefly mentioned in Al Fatihah. The first is Monotheism. Meaning, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, the Exalted. Al Fatihah begins by mentioning this subject.
The second subject mentioned in the Holy Quran and indicated in Al Fatihah is Prophethood. In the sixth verse of Al Fatihah Allah, the Exalted, mentions the path of those He has blessed. This path, which leads to Paradise, is the path of the Holy Prophets, blessings be upon them all. The ones who have been blessed are mentioned in another verse of the Holy Quran. Chapter 4 An Nisa, verse 69:
“…the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous—what honourable company!”
The third subject mentioned in the Holy Quran is the worship of Allah, the Exalted, and is mentioned in verse 5 of Al Fatihah.
The fourth subject mentioned in the Holy Quran consists of promises of blessings and warnings of punishment. This subject is referenced in verse 4 of Al Fatihah, which reminds mankind that these promises and warnings will one day be witnessed by all.
The fifth subject discussed in the Holy Quran consists of stories and lessons. The lesson which is specifically mentioned in Al Fatihah, verses 6 and 7, is how Allah, the Exalted, rewarded the pious and punished the sinners of the past nations.
The sixth subject discussed in the Holy Quran mentions the elements of the Day of Resurrection. This is when Allah, the Exalted, will resurrect the entire creation, after they have died, in order to judge the deeds they performed during their lives on Earth. This is indicated in verse 4 of Al Fatihah.
The seventh, and final subject, discussed in the Holy Quran and summarised in Al Fatihah, consists of supplications to Allah, the Exalted. Al Fatihah teaches mankind how to correctly supplicate to Allah, the Exalted. This topic has been discussed in detail in a short podcast titled: Supplication – step by step guide. (Link: https://youtu.be/OzSfCYzTMo0)
One should first praise, and glorify Allah, the Exalted, according to His infinite status. This is best achieved according to the statements mentioned in the Holy Quran, or the Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This is indicated in chapter 1, verses 2-3 of Al Fatihah. Demonstrating weakness and humility is an essential part of supplication. This is shown in chapter 1, verse 5 of Al Fatihah. The next two verses, 6 and 7, is the supplication itself. Asking for right guidance and refuge from the evil path is a supplication Muslims must make often as it is the most important thing to obtain.
“In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.” Chapter 1, Al Fatihah, verse 1.
Scholars have debated whether this verse is part of Al Fatihah or if it is only used to begin recitation of the Holy Quran as well as all other lawful actions e.g. eating lawful food. There is one location where this statement is part of the Holy Quran and no Muslim denies this fact. It is found in chapter 27 An Naml, verse 30 of the Holy Quran:
“It is from Solomon, and it reads: ‘In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.”
There is no doubt that before all lawful actions the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted, should be mentioned. If it is not recited a Muslim will gain less reward for the action they intend to do as it is the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted. Secondly, they will lose out on the grace which accompanies the remembrance of the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted. This is confirmed in a narration found in Sunan Ibn Majah, number 1894.
In addition, the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted, should be recalled before any action as it prevents the reciter from committing sins. For example, if someone has the habit of always commencing an action with the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted, and then desires to commit a sin, this habit will remind them of the divine presence of Allah, the Exalted, and prevent them from sinning. Beginning with the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted, ensures a Muslim’s mind is always turned towards Him, regardless of if they are in a Mosque, at home, or at work. When a Muslim’s attention is towards Allah, the Exalted, they will increase their obedience to Him and therefore, reap much reward. In reality, sins only occur when a Muslim forgets the divine presence of Allah, the Exalted.
Also, when one begins good actions with the blessed name of Allah, the Exalted, it encourages them to perform the deed sincerely for the pleasure of Allah, the Exalted. In other words, it ensures their intention is correct. According to the Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 1, a person gets judged by their intention. Therefore, it is vital to ensure a Muslim only acts for the sake of Allah, the Exalted, and remembering His blessed name before an action is an excellent way to achieve the correct intention.
It also prevents one from adopting pride after completing the action as remembering, Allah, the Exalted, reminds the Muslim that the strength, knowledge and opportunity to perform the good deed came from none other than Allah, the Exalted. This ensures they keep their good deed safe instead of destroying it through pride.
“In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.” Chapter 1, Al Fatihah, verse 1.
Allah, the Exalted, has countless divine qualities but only two of them have been mentioned in this verse. The first is the Most Affectionate. The other is that Allah, the Exalted, is the Most Merciful. There are many possible interpretations of these two divine qualities. One is that Allah, the Exalted, is the Most Affectionate towards all of creation in this world but He is the Most Merciful to the Muslims in both this world and in the hereafter. This is supported by chapter 33 Al Ahzab, verse 43:
“…Allah is All-merciful to the believers….”
The divine name Most Affectionate is exclusive to Allah, the Exalted. Therefore, no one else should be named this. This is because the Most Affectionate means, the being whose mercy encompasses all. Such a characteristic can only be possessed by Allah, the Exalted. A person can only have the Most Affectionate in their name if their full name is “the servant of the Most Affectionate.”
On the other hand, the merciful has been attributed to others such as the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Chapter 9 At Tawbah, verse 128:
“There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. Grievous to him is what you suffer; [he is] concerned over you [i.e., your guidance] and to the believers is kind and merciful.”
The Most Merciful in respect to Allah, the Exalted, means the One who does countless favours and is benevolent towards others. When used in reference to the creation it means soft-hearted, and compassionate. This is a quality all Muslims must strive to achieve if they desire to be treated with mercy by Allah, the Exalted, the Most Merciful. This has been advised in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 4941.
People may question how Allah, the Exalted, is the Most Affectionate towards non Muslims. This is obvious and can be witnessed, in everyday life. For example, non Muslims have been given many gifts such as wealth, good health, success, and fame.
PodTafseer: Al-Fatihah – Part 1: https://youtu.be/7Pa4qbMvYCE
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