Surah: Al-Fatihah
Meaning: The Opener
Makki/Madani: Makkan
Surah # 1
Verse #: 7
Lecture by: Sheikh AbdulRahman Hassan
- This is a surah that every Muslim knows and recites at least in the 5 salah-17
times a day or even more.
- Allah says: “do they not ponder on the Quran or are there locks on their hearts?”
- We must know the meaning of a surah we frequently recite
- This surah actually has 6 names: faatihatul kitaab (the opening of the book),
ummul Quran (the mother of the Quran), ummul kitab (the mother of the
book), as-sabu’l mathani (the seven that repeats itself), al-Quran ala’theem,
suratul hamd.
- These names are authentically transmitted in the hadith of the Rasool (SAW)
- Virtues of the Surah:
. is a light from Allah (noor from Allah)-in there a prophet was not given a surah
like except Muhammad (SAW).
. if a person misses the recitation of this surah in salah, they have to repeat the
salah again. Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated that the Prophet
Muhammad (SAW): “there is no salah for the one that does not recite Surah Al-
Fatihah.” It is the only surah that has this ruling.
. The Prophet (SAW) said: “should I not teach you the greatest surah in the
Quran? He (SAW) said: Surah Al-Fatihah-the seven versus that repeat itself and
the glorious Quran.”
(Reflection):
Allah is telling the Prophet Muhammad (SAW): you have Surah Al-Fatihah Oh
Muhammad so don’t extend your eyes to the glitter and glamor of this world.
-
Allah gives the world to who He loves and doesn't love. But Allah gives the
understanding of the religion to whom He ONLY loves.
- First ayah: ِبۡس ِم ٱلَّلِه ٱلَّرۡح َٰم ِن ٱلَّرِحيِم
. In the Name of Allah-The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful
- Second ayah: ٱۡلَحۡم ُد ِلَّلِه َرِّب ٱۡلَٰع َلِميَن
. All praise is for Allah-Lord of the Worlds
. Shukr is an action but hamd is not action. Hamd is just say it and believe it in
your heart but shukr is also physically showing it.
. Here, the Alhamdulillah represents hope.
- Third ayah: ٱلَّرۡح َٰم ِن ٱلَّرِحيِم
. The Most compassionate, The Most merciful
. Both words are taken from Ar-Rahmah. These are two names of Allah but
come from the word Ar-Rahmah.
. This is a quality that we as humans must have-we must have mercy for one
another. Second quality to focus on: Muhabbah
- Fourth ayah: َٰم ِلِك َيۡو ِم ٱلِّد يِن
. Master of the Day of Judgement
. Yawm Ad-Deen: is the great day when we will stand in front of Allah (SWT).
And that day is close, not far. A believer must believe that this day is close.
. Now from this ayah, we feel fear because it is a great Day. This ayah scares you.
That day, no one will be able to argue or claim kingdom that day. It's only Allah-
the King of that day. No one talks, everyone is silent.
- Fifth ayah: ِإَّياَك َنۡع ُبُد َو ِإَّياَك َنۡس َتِعيُن
. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help
. You have to look at Ibadah from two perspectives. How do you do the ibadah?
You must do it with complete love and humility. Complete humbleness.
. Ibadah is a general term-every action or speech that is pleasing to Allah whether
internally or externally is considered ibadah.
. Ibadah must be done Only for Allah.
. Abd and Abeed are the singular forms of Ibaad. Ibaad is plural in Arabic. Every
person is an Abeed but not everyone is an Abd. Abeed is the one that is
controlled by Allah but not everyone is a servant to Allah. Being Abeed is not a
praiseworthy thing but being Abd is.
. If Allah doesn't help you, you will never reach what you are seeking therefore
ask Allah first-turn to Him first. Then get assistance from the people. But your
main source of aid is Allah.
- Sixth ayah: ٱۡه ِد َنا ٱلِّص َٰر َط ٱۡلُم ۡس َتِقيَم
. Guide us to the straight path
. Once you say this and you mean it, Allah will guide you
. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would open his tahajjud by asking Allah to
guide him to the straight path.
. Ibraheem (AS) also asked Allah for guidance and asked Him to not make him
from those who worship the idols.
If these two prophets are asking for hidayah, who are we to not ask?
- Seventh ayah: ِص َٰر َط ٱَّلِذ يَن َأۡنَعۡم َت َع َلۡيِه ۡم َغ ۡيِر ٱۡلَم ۡغُض وِبَع َلۡيِه ۡم َو َل ا ٱلَّض ٓاِّليَن
. the path of those You have blessed-not those You are displeased with, or those
who are astray.
. Christians acted without knowledge and the believer should stay away from
that and the Jews had knowledge but did not act upon it. Again, the believer
should not be like this.
. This is a reminder for us that every Muslim should combine beneficial
knowledge with action.
