A profound explanation of Surah Fatiha, based on Madarij as-Salikeen by Imam Ibn Qayim al-Jawziyah. Many significant messages, extracted from Surah Fatiha are discussed and explained. Understand Surah Fatiha, like never before!
Al – Fatihah
The Opener – Chapter 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ [١] ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ [٢] ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ [٣ ] مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ [٤] إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ [٥] ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ [٦] صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ [٧] |
Translation: In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. You ˹alone˺ we worship and You ˹alone˺ we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path, the Path of those You have blessed—not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.
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Many important messages are contained in and included in Surah Fatiha.
It comprises of the following –
- Recognition of Allah
- Establishing Resurrection
- Establishing Prophethood
Recognition of Allah
Three beautiful names/qualities of Allah are mentioned in this noble chapter. These names/qualities are:
- Allah
- Rabb
- Rahman
This chapter is built upon these 3 names/qualities. The verse [ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ] is built upon oneness in lordship.
The verse [وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ] is built upon oneness in kingship.
The verse [ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ] is seeking guidance to the straight path through the quality of mercy [Rahma].
Hamd [praise] comprises of three matters:
- Praised in Ilahiya
- Praised in Rububiyah
- Praised in Rahma
[This is indicating towards the perfection of Allah]
Establishing Resurrection
This Surah also establishes resurrection, recompensing the slave according to his deeds [good or bad]. Allah himself will judge between his creation with [complete] justice, and all of this is under the verse: [مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ]
Establishing Prophethood
Also included in this chapter is the proof of Prophethood, and this is in many ways [8 ways]:
- Taken from [رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ], it does not befit Allah that he leaves his slaves neglected and unaware. Such that they don’t recognise what benefits them in their living and their hereafter. Also what harms them in that [living and hereafter]. So this harms [the quality of] Rububiyah, and the relation of Rab does not befit that.
- Taken from the name [ ٱللَّهِ]’, who is the deity and the one that is worshiped. There is no way a servant can recognise Allah except via the path of his messengers [Allah bless them].
- Taken from the name [ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ], his mercy which prevents his slave from going astray, and without recognition of Allah, a servant is not able to reach his full potential. Whoever gives the name ‘Rahman’ its right, then he knows that he is responsible for sending messengers and sending divine books. Along with this, sending rain, vegetation, crops and taking out seeds. Mercy decrees that it brings lives to the hearts and the greatest of which it decrees is giving life to the soul, through which the bodies are given life.
- Taken from [مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ], that which Allah will recompense the slaves in regards to their deeds. Those that do good will be rewarded [with goodness], and reproach those who disobey and for sinful actions. Allah will not punish anyone before establishing the proof on them, and the proof is established through his messengers and his divine books. Through them [messengers] they became deserving of reward and punishment. Also through them they become deserving of being taken to the day of judgment, the pious being taken to paradise and the sinners to the fire.
- Taken from [إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ], for surely Allah can only be worshiped with that which he approves of and is pleased with. That is those acts which have been shown to us by his messengers and clarified for us [by the Prophets of Allah]. This is why Allah sends messengers, to guide and show us the correct path. So whoever rejects the messenger, then he has rejected the message and not believed in him. This is why Allah has made rejected his messengers, a matter of disbelief. [Worship in Allah has 3 aspects: Gratitude, love and awe].
- Taken from [اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ], which clarifies the path of guidance. Guidance is: a clarification [bayan] and guide [Dalalah], then divine ability [tawfiq] and divine inspiration [ilham], this is after Bayan and Dalalah. There is no path to bayan and dalalah except via the messengers. When a person attains bayan and dalalah, this then leads to the guidance of tawfiq. Faith [Iman] is then placed in the heart, he adores it and it is adorned in his heart.
