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AL-FATIHAH · JUZ 1 · QUR'AN TAFSEER

Tafseer of Surah Al-Fatihah

July 22, 2012 · Verse By Verse Quran Study Circle

Al-Fatihah is not merely an introduction to

Qur’an rather it is a du’a for seeking the Right
Guidance and Qur’an is the reply of that du’a. A
person asks His Creator for guidance, and in
response to the person’s du’a Allah subhanahu wa
ta’ala presents the entire Qur’an. As if to state,
this is the guidance that you seek. Subhan’Allah!

Al-Fatihah is a prayer where we are being taught

not to put forward our request bluntly and
abruptly, but to begin by acknowledging the
excellences, favors and the highest position of
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. We should remember
Who we are talking to for it is only He Who
blesses us with countless bounties.

Therefore, we begin Al-Fatihah with the praise of

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala Who is the Lord and
Creator of this world and the Hereafter.

When we say Al-humdulillah, here ‘AL’ means all

or the entire hence meaning all praise is for Allah
alone.

The word ‘Rabb’ stands for:

(a) Master and Owner,

(b) Sustainer, Provider and Guardian,
(c) Sovereign, Ruler, Administrator and
Organizer.

This means that there’s no one worthy of

worship, but Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. He is the
Sustainer and Owner of all that He has created in
both Alams (Worlds). No prophet, no angel, no
human, no so-called god or idol is worthy of
worship, but Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala. He alone
deserves devotion, worship, gratitude and no one
else. This indicates that Allah subhanahu wa
ta’ala  is the Lord of the Universe in all these
senses.

Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem are two names

derived from the same root Ar-Rahmah (the
mercy). One of them is softer than the other,
meaning, it carries more implications of mercy.

The name Ar-Rahman is exclusively for Allah

encompassing every kind of mercy. Allah
subhanahu wa ta’ala is Ar-Rahman for the
entire creation regardless of what they
believe in, whether they are evil doers or the
righteous; they all receive their sustenance from
Allah. On the other hand, the word ‘Ar-
Raheem’ is exclusively for the believers. Those
who believe in Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala receive
special blessings from Him and they are the ones
who are going to be happy and content in this life
and in the Hereafter.

Just look at how Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala right in

the beginning of the Qur’an has informed us that
He is a Merciful Lord. He doesn’t want to punish
people just like that rather He is Forgiving and
Merciful. The condition to seek forgiveness or
mercy is repentance. May Allah subhanahu wa
ta’ala make us among those who seek repentance
as soon as they realize they have done something
wrong that might have displeased Him. Aameen.

[The Actions that Invite toward Repentance and

Make Firm on It]

After Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala describes that He

is Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem, He immediately
gives a warning, that along with His mercy, He is
also the Master of the Day of Judgment. So that
a person should not forget that along with His
mercy He is also Just.

We must therefore not allow ourselves to be

misled. We should always remember that we are
accountable to Him. He is not unaware of what
we do in dunya. On the Day of Judgment, He will
gather entire mankind from Adam a’layhi
salaam to the last child born and ask each of us to
give an account of our actions. He has the power
and right to pardon us or punish us. We should
be constantly striving to please Him.

[Al-Hakam [the Judge], Al-‘Adl [the Just]]

After the person has praised Allah and thanked

Him, now he stands before Him, addressing Him
directly; O’ Allah our worship, obedience,
submission and devotion is for You alone, and we
only serve You. O’ Allah we know that You are
the Lord of the Universe and You have the power
over everything, therefore, we only turn to You
for help, for our needs and requirements.

By saying Iyyaka na’abudu wa’iyyaka nasta’aeen,

we are acknowledging “You alone we worship
and to You alone we pray for help.”

The word iyyaka means “My whole attention is

only on You or You alone.”

The word na’abudu is derived from the Arabic

word ‘Abd “Slave” (that is why the most beautiful
name to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is ‘Abdullah
meaning the slave of Allah) and “Na” in Arabic is
used as a pronoun for We. So when we say
na’abudu we are saying “We worship” hence
Iyyaka na’abudu means “You alone we
worship.”

Wa in Arabic is used for the English word “and”

so when we add wa’iyyaka, we are saying “And to
You alone.”

Nasta’aeen means to get help or to ask for help.

When we recite “Ihdina alssirata

almustaqeem” we are asking Allah subhana wa
ta’ala to “Guide us to the path that is straight.”

Siraat in Arabic means “the path”

We ask Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to show us the

right path and in response to that He opens up
the entire Qur’an as if saying, “This is the
straight path you’re seeking.” The straight path
mentioned here and elsewhere in the Qur’an
refers to Islam. We already mentioned
the hadeeth in which the servant proclaims,
‘Guide us to The Right Way,’ and Allah says, “This
is for My servant and My servant shall acquire
what he has asked for.”

When we make such a prayer to our Rabb, how

do can we be led astray? Can we still have doubt
and uncertainty in our life when we have asked
Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to show us the Right
Path? We can only get lost in labyrinths of doubt
and uncertainty due to lack of true knowledge.
Let us hold firm to the straight path that Allah
subhanahu wa ta’ala  has opened up for us.

After asking Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to show us

the straight path and protect us from deviation,
we become specific in our prayer.

We ask Him to show us the path of those upon

whom He has bestowed His mercy i.e. people who
are obedient to Allah and His Messengers. We
seek refuge in Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala from
following the path of those who have earned His
wrath, or of those who have lost The Way.

From traditions we learn that those who have

earned His wrath are those knew the Scripture;
who had read in their Books about the coming of
a Last Messenger and his description yet they
concealed the truth.

Who have gone astray?

Those who are not in search of the truth. Those

who have known what is right but their
weaknesses have led them far away.

In the last ayah of this beautiful Surah there is a

lesson for each one of us; anyone who knows the
truth but hides it has earned Allah’s anger and
anyone who is not in search of truth may go
astray. We beseech Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to
save us from following the path of such a person
(or nation). We don’t want that path Ya Allah,
save us from treading in their footsteps. Aameen
Ya Rabbil Alameen.

We have completed Surah Al-Fatihah

alhumdulillah. Today, in the Salah when you
recite Al-Fatihah read the Surah keeping its
meaning in mind. Say it with a lot of passion,
putting your heart into it and feel the difference.
Recite it with full devotion and sincerity, pausing
and reflecting at each ayah as you recite.
Rasoolullah ‫ ﷺ‬and his Companions radhiAllahu
‘anhum used to weep for hours during the
recitation of this Surah.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala accept this humble

service from us and join us with the righteous in
this world and the next. Aameen.

Related

Understanding Surah Al- Surah Al-Fatihah –

Fatihah Introduction
June 25, 2015 July 21, 2012
In "Al-Fatihah" In "Al-Fatihah"

Journey through the

Qur’an – Juz 1 [Guidance]
May 20, 2017
In "Islamic Months"

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AL-FATIHAH AR-RAHMAN AR-RAHEEM

DUA JUZ 1 MAKKAN SURAHS

QUR'AN QUR'AN TAFSEER RABB

SIRAAT UL MUSTAQEEM SURAH AL-FATIHAH

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FIDA AFZAL
JUNE 17, 2018 AT 1:30 AM

Very nice Tafseer but one thing which i am not

getting here is that you have mentioned here
that”most beautiful name TO Allah is Abdullah
meaning Slave of Allah” I think it should be most
beautiful name infront of Allah( for any person)
is Abdullah not ‘TO’ Allah.
Hope you can understand what i mean.

Reply

irfansarwar
JUNE 30, 2018 AT 3:21 PM

“IN front of Allah’ in wrong in English. “To Allah”

is correct.

Reply

Faisal malik
NOVEMBER 13, 2018 AT 4:14 PM

May allah bless u with his blessings for your

service

Reply

mominatariq
MARCH 23, 2022 AT 9:10 PM

Allahuma Ameen!

Reply
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