Surah Al-Fatihah

What does Al-Fatihah mean?

The opening

1-بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah we begin with, the most Merciful, the most Gracious.

2-ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ

All praise is to Allah,

the Lord of the Creation.

3-ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The most Merciful, The most Gracious.

4-مَٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ

Owner of the day of judgement.

5-إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ

You alone we worship,

and from you alone we seek help.

6-ٱهۡدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ

Guide us on the straight path.

7-صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

The path of those whom You have favoured,

Not the path of thise who earned your anger,

nor of those who are astray.

Tafsir:

Revealation relates to both Makkah and Madinah

7 verses

140 letters

[Tafsir] 1-بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

• Bismillah before each Surah is a complete verse, except in Surah Al-Naml where it is a part of a verse.

• Bismillah was revealed only once, it is added before each Surah to seperate them.

• Imam recites Bismillah silently in prayer, When Jibreel brought down the first revelation, Surah Al-Alaq 5 verses Bismillah wasn’t part of it.

• In Taraweeh, Hafiz must recite Bismillah aloud before starting a surah.

• When prophet Sulayman wrote to Bilqees-Queen of Yemen, began with Bismillah from the blessing of which Allah granted him Yemen and its Queen.

• SAW commenced the writing of the Treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah with Bismillah because of which he was granted victory of Makkah.

• When sluaghtering an animal, one should recite Bismillahi Allahu Akbar, not full, as one is not allowed to read words of mercy during a seemingly cruel act. (Reason why mecriful name of SAW is not recited here).

• Letter BA of Bismillah is a predisposition which refers to seeking help. Seeking help from SAW or pious servants of Allah is acceptable.

What does the article Al represent in Al-Hamdu?

Comprehensive- Directly or indirectly all praise belongs to Allah alone, bcause the praise of the creation is praise of the creator.

Definite- Signify that only praise which is made in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet SAW.

(Only be referred in the connection with His elevated creation).

Define Rabb:

Giver of gifts

Caretaker

Maintainer

Owner

Define Alameen:

(Worlds)

Nation of people

Ethnicities of people

Socities of people

Different species (Angels, Jinns, Animals)

People of different worlds

Generation of people

2-

• Al in Al-Hamdu means,

Comprehensive: All praise, direct/indirect belongs to Allah alone.

Definite: Praise only as taught by Prophet SAW.

• Allah is Creator and Master, but should be linked to His elevated creation,

Eg. Lord of SAW, not Abu Jahl.

• Rabb means, Giver of gifts, caretaker, maintainer, owner.

• Alameen means, Various groups, nations, ethnicities, species (Angels, Jinn, Animals), differebt worlds or generations.

Where does Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem derive from?

The word Rahmah, mercy.

What does Al-Rahman mean?

General mercy for all creation.

What does Al-Raheem mean?

Special mercy for believers only.

3-

• Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem come from the word Rahmah (mercy).

• Shows Allahs mercy is ongoing both now and in the future.

• Al-Rahman- general mercy for all creation.

• Al-Raheem- special mercy for believers only.

4-

• Maalik (Master) and Malik (King) are both valid reciations.

• Scholars differ on which is more comprehensive:

  -Some say King is greater- All kings are masters, not all masters are kings.

  Abu Ubayda and Al-Mubarrad held this opinion.

  -Master greater- includes people, creatures, full control, shariah laws.

• Both readings reported from SAW, Abu Bakr, Umar, At-Tirmidhi.

Where does Allah mention in the Quran that you can seek help from others?

“Without doubt Allah and His Prophet SAW are your helpers”. [S5:V55]

“And help one another in righteousness and piety”. [S5:V2]

5-

• “We Worship” encourages praying in congregation.

• True help comes from Allah only.

• Worship is for Allah alone, help can be sought from pious servants outwardly.

• Seeking help from others is allowed in righteousness, but worshipping anyone besides Allah is shirk.

6-

• The greatest bounty is guidance on the straight path- asked for in every rakaah.

• “Be with those who are pious”. [S9:V119], The path is followed by the saints and pious, those favored by Allah.

• True Guidance comes only by Allah’s grace and not by effort alone.

• Avoid those who are misguided, dont imitate or follow their customs.

7-

• “Those who earned anger”- Yahud (Jews), rejected prophets out of hatred.

• “Those who are astray”- Nasara (Christians), exceeded limits in love for Isa AS.

• Believers must avoid imitating the beliefs, actions and customs of Yahud, Nasara or any non-belivers as it leads to kufr.