Surah Al-Fatiha

Translation:

“I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Satan

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer  of the Worlds,(1:1)

The Beneficent, the Merciful.(1:2)

Master of the Day of Judgement.(1:3)

Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (1:4)

Show us the straight path,(1:5)

The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; (1:6)

Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (1:7)”

Explanation:

Surah Fatihah is mentioned in the Quran as the seven of it repeated verses because it it repeated several times in the course of the five to it by the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Himself in view of the fact that it contains in a condensed form all the fundamental principles laid down in the Quran. The principle of the Oneness and uniqueness of Allah. He being the Originator and Fosterer of the Universe. The One to whom man is ultimately responsible, the only power that can really guide and help, the principle of life after death and the consequence of man’s actions and behavior and the need of self surrender to the will of the Supreme Being. It is, for this reason, that this Surah has been formulated as a  prayer to be constantly repeated and reflected upon by the believer.

The Surah sums up in precise yet comprehensive words man’s relation to Allah in contemplation and prayer of which the first words should be that of praise which befit Allah alone.

The Quran next mentions Allah’s attribute of Rabb, the Chersiher and Sustainer of the worlds i.e. the one who, step be step, helps one to grow from lower to higher stages till he reaches the stage of finality and completeness; and the attributes of Rahman and Rahim which signify grace, mercy, compassion and loving tenderness which flow from Him to Hos creatures protecting, preserving and guiding them to a higher life.

After the praise and acknowledgment of the attributes of Allah, there follows a pledge of total submission and worship and seeking help and aid from Him alone. This pledge is not from man in his individual capacity but from all mankind in general.

The believer also prays to Allah to show him the right and straight way of life from among the many crooked and steep ways. The path of virtue is difficult, it has always been followed by those people who are in the light of Allah’s grace. It not only protects them from wrong doings but also from straying onto paths of temptation and carelessness.

The Surah mentions two categories of people: Those who are in the darkness and those who stray because of negligence. Some scholars believe that the people described as having the wrath of Allah that is, having deprived themselves of His grace, are those who after having received Allah’s message rejected it. While those who go astray are people who stray out of carelessness and negligence.