The Meaning of Surah al-Fatiha
Quran is the last book from the Holy books which Allah SWT revealed on His Prophets. Quran is revealed on last Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Quran is a book whose topic is the man. We can say that Quran is the final source of guidance for believers who accepted Islam. We have 30 chapters in the Quran in each we have so much to learn, every chapter has its own story and importance there is guidance in Quran for its believers.
Here we will discuss the 1st chapter of Quran that is about “Surah al- Fatiha”, its meaning, importance, benefits, and virtues of reading it. Surah Al-Fatiha is one of those chapters of Quran, which holds special status, and is even recalled by Allah Almighty in these words:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ
“AND, INDEED, We have bestowed upon thee seven of the often repeated [verses], and this sublime Quran.” (15:87)
The expression “Seven of the often repeated verses” describes the great importance of this chapter, as it is the essential part of daily prayers and has to be recited every day. We have also an app for kids to learn Surah Fatiha and other Surah which make it easier for them to learn. You can get it for your selected device from here:
Revelation of Surah al-Fatiha
Surah al-Fatiha was revealed in Mecca. It is the Makki Surah of Quran that means it was revealed on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) when he was staying in Mecca before migration to Madina.
Meaning of Surah Al Fatiha
Surah al-Fatiha (سُّورَةُ الفَاتِحَة) is the first chapter of the Quran. Its seven verses (Ayah) are a prayer for the guidance, lordship, and mercy of Allah. The word “Fatiha” comes from the verb “Fataha”, which means in this text “to open”. “Al” is a defined article and Fatiha means the opening Surah, which starts the Quran because it is that Surah which comes first in the Quran, specifically, when you open the Quran, it is a very important key which is required to open the Quran. Some Muslims interpret it as a reference to an intended ability of the Surah to open a person’s faith in Allah.
Importance of Surah al-Fatiha
Surah al-Fatiha is the first chapter of the Holy Quran. It is very important that one has to start with the Surah al-Fatiha when he begins his prayer (Salah). And to start supplications to Allah, the Surah al-Fatiha needs to be recited first. This is because of the nature of its greatness as a chapter and Dua. In any situation a person may be, it’s a difficulty, an illness or a state of suffering or any other problems he finds himself in, thus he needs to recite the Surah al-Fatiha. It has great importance as we have seen in Salah as well as in daily life problems. It is also important as a key to open your heart to your Creator, to show the great extent of love which you have for Him and which enables you to recognize your Lord (Allah). It is the first Surah that we recite in the Salah.
Benefits of Surah al-Fatiha
Let us look at some of the supremacy and benefits of this incredible Surah:
- It is called Umm al Kittab.
The Prophet (SAW) said,
The Um (substance) of the Quran is the seven oft-repeated verses and is the Great Quran (i.e. Surah-al-Fatiha). [Sahih al Bukhari]
From above-stated hadith we can conclude this surah has great importance as it is the opening of Quran and we should memorize it even for starting the prayer.
- It is necessary to recite Surah al-Fatiha in Salah.
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, whoever does not recite Surah al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid. [Sahih al Bukhari]
This surah is very important because we cannot start our prayer without this surah and our salah is incomplete and it will not count without recitation of Surah al-Fatiha.
- It is a Shifa.
Narrated Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri:
While we were on one of our journeys, we dismounted at a place where a slave girl came and said, “The chief of this tribe has been stung by a scorpion and our men are not present; is there anybody among you who can treat him (by reciting something)?” Then one of our men went along with her though we did not think that he knew any such treatment. But he treated the chief by reciting something, and the sick man recovered whereupon he gave him thirty sheep and gave us milk to drink (as a reward). When he returned, we asked our friend, “Did you know how to treat with the recitation of something?” He said, “No, but I treated him only with the recitation of the Mother of the Book (i.e., Al-Fatiha).” We said, “Do not say anything (about it) till we reach or ask the Prophet (SAW) so when we reached Medina, we mentioned that to the Prophet (SAW) (in order to know whether the sheep which we had taken were lawful to take or not). The Prophet (SAW) said, “How did he come to know that it (Al-Fatiha) could be used for treatment? Distribute your reward and assign for me one share thereof as well.”
[Sahih Al Bukhari]
From above-stated hadith we can conclude that it has not only great importance in prayer but also in daily life problems. We can recite it for a person who is sick and can take benefits from this great Surah.
- It is one of two lights that were given to the Prophet (SAW) as mentioned in the following hadith:
“While Jibril (Gabriel) was with the Messenger of Allah, he heard a noise from above. Jibril lifted his sight to the sky and said, `this is a door in heaven being open, and it has never been opened before now.’ An angel descended from that door and came to the Prophet and said, `Receive the glad tidings of two lights that you have been given, which no other Prophet before you was given: the Opening of the Book and the last (three) Ayahs of Surah al-Baqarah. You will not read a letter of them, but will gain its benefit”. [An Nasai]
This hadith shows that Surah Al-Fatiha, among the last two Ayahs of Surah al- Baqarah is the great source of wisdom that Allah SWT has only given to the followers of Muhammad (SAW), which has the greatest effect in getting Allah`s favors.
In order to taste the sweetness of prayer, we should try to learn something about what it is that we are reciting, and how it relates to us personally. The best way to do that is to learn Arabic with meaning and translation and here in the app of “Surah Fatiha & More Surah” you will be taught Surah Fatiha with translation in an easy way to memorize it. Download now this great app and learn Surahs with the heart.
