“Guide us to the straight path.”
This verse indicates the most important thing a person must seek help from Allah, the Exalted, in order to obtain. Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 5:
“It is You we worship and You we ask for help.”
This therefore, reminds muslims that their main aim in this world is not to be guided to worldly things, such as wealth and authority, but to instead strive to achieve the guidance which will ensure they obtain peace of mind and body in both worlds. This is only achieved when one journeys down the path chosen by Allah, the Exalted. This is the path of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Chapter 3 Alee Imran, verse 31:
“Say, [Prophet Muḥammad, peace and blessings be upon him], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins…””
But it is important to note that a path is only useful when one travels down it. Simply believing the path exists and having knowledge about the path are not good enough to reach the desired destination. One must practically journey down the path in order to reach the desired destination. Therefore, as indicated by this verse, one must practically learn and act on the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This will ensure they use the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, which in turn, leads to peace of mind and success in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
The main verse also reminds one that right guidance is only possible through the mercy of Allah, the Exalted. Remembering this will prevent one from adopting pride, an atom’s worth of which is enough to take one to Hell. This has been warned in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 265.
Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 6:
“Guide us to the straight path.”
As this supplication has been placed in the first chapter of the Holy Quran, it indicates that the straight path is what follows it, meaning, the Holy Quran. Thereby, one must never believe that as the Holy Quran was revealed over 1400 years ago, it no longer applies in the modern world. The guidance in the Holy Quran, and by extension, the guidance in the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, are timeless, as they are tailored for the nature and essence of humans. Even though the world changes over time, such as technology, languages and cultures, yet the essence and nature of humans will always be the same. The emotions, attitude, mentality, behavioral patterns, desires, needs and wishes of humans have always been the same and can only change if humans evolve into a difference species. As this will never occur, the guidance of the Holy Quran, which aims at the nature of humans, is therefore timeless. This is something which becomes obvious to anyone who studies its teachings. Therefore, one must sincerely strive to learn and act on the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, so that they implement these teachings into every aspect of their life. This leads to peace of mind and body in both worlds. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 6:
“Guide us to the straight path.”
The straight path is a balanced life whereby one fulfills their duties to Allah, the Exalted, and people and moderately enjoys the lawful pleasures of this world. But as obtaining a perfectly balanced life is difficult, one should always lean towards using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, over enjoying the lawful pleasures of this world. This will ensure one remains within the safe zone, even if they occasionally trip up and commit sins. Whereas, the one who overindulges in lawful pleasures will be more likely to commit sins and stray off the right path. Chapter 87 Al A’la, verses 16-17:
“But you prefer the worldly life, While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.”
Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 6:
“Guide us to the straight path.”
On the Day of Judgement, people will be commanded to cross the bridge which will be erected over Hell. Those who successfully cross it will reach Paradise and those who do not will fall into Hell. The bridge of Judgement Day has been discussed in many Hadiths, such as the one found in Sahih Bukhari, number 6573. This Hadith warns that people will face difficulties on this bridge according to their deeds. Some will be flung into Hell because of their deeds and others will be subjected to great torture and difficulty before they cross the bridge and reach Paradise. Others will face less difficulty and those who sincerely obeyed Allah, the Exalted, will be protected from harm. The thing to remember is that each person will cross the bridge of Judgement Day according to how accurately they walked the straight path in this world. The one who walks the straight path in this world, by using the blessings they have been granted in ways pleasing to Allah, the Exalted, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, will find protection from all harm when they inevitably cross the bridge of Judgement Day. Chapter 16 An Nahl, verse 97:
“Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.”
But those who stray from the straight path in this world, by misusing the blessings they have been granted, will face difficulties when they inevitably cross the bridge of Judgement Day. Chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
Even if a muslim fulfills all their duties towards Allah, the Exalted, and the creation, they still persistently supplicate for right guidance through the main verse under discussion. This indicates the importance of progressively strengthening one’s faith. This will ensure one maintains their sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted, which involves using the blessings He has granted them in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Strengthening one’s faith involves learning and acting on the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 6:
“Guide us to the straight path.”
As this supplication is in the plural form, it indicates that one should not only be concerned about their own right guidance but also help others to reach the straight path, such as their dependents. A parent must lead by example so that they correctly guide their children on the straight path. One should gently command good and forbid evil according to the teachings of Islam in order to aid others to reach and remain firmly on the straight path.
The plural form also indicates the importance of companionship, as one’s companions have a direct impact on the path they take in this world. This has been indicated in a Hadith found in Sunan Abu Dawud, number 4833. One will inevitably adopt the apparent and subtle, positive or negative characteristics of their companions, which will directly influence the path they take in life. Therefore, one must ensure they adopt the correct company so that they are encouraged to strive for the straight path, the root of which is the sincere obedience of Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 25 Al Furqan, verses 27-28:
“And the Day the wrongdoer will bite on his hands [in regret] he will say, “Oh, I wish I had taken with the Messenger a way. Oh, woe to me! I wish I had not taken that one as a friend.””
Chapter 1 Al Fatihah, verse 6:
“Guide us to the straight path.”
Allah, the Exalted, has already given every person the ability to recognize and follow right guidance. Chapter 20 Taha, verse 50:
“He said, “Our Lord is He who gave each thing its form and then guided [it].””
But one can corrupt this potential to recognize and follow right guidance through the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted. Chapter 5 Al Ma’idah, verse 51:
“…Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.”
Therefore, one must not only supplicate for right guidance but support this through actions. One must sincerely strive to gain and act on Islamic knowledge so that they avoid the disobedience of Allah, the Exalted, a branch of which is wronging people. If one fails to practically support their supplication, then their words will have no real weight or meaning. Chapter 35 Fatir, verse 10:
“…To Him ascends good speech, and righteous work raises it. But they who plot evil deeds will have a severe punishment, and the plotting of those – it will perish.”
The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, has strongly emphasized the recitation of chapter 1 Al Fatihah in every cycle of the prayer. This has been confirmed in a Hadith found in Sunan An Nasai, number 910. This indicates that a person must regularly remind themself of their ultimate purpose: to find and travel the straight path, which leads to peace of mind and body in both worlds. This regular reminder is vital as people often become heedless and preoccupied with worldly things. This is one of the reasons why the five daily obligatory prayers are spread over the day. Therefore, one must constantly verbally and practically remind themself and others of their ultimate purpose by taking some time out of their busy day to learn and act on Islamic knowledge so that they fulfill their purpose. This purpose is only fulfilled when one sincerely obeys Allah, the Exalted, in every situation, which involves using the blessings He has granted them in ways pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.
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