SURAH AL-FATIHA(Understanding)

Bismillah Hirrahma Nirrahim

Surah Fatiha(The Opening) is one of the most important Surah of the Quran, Quran begins with it and NAMAZ also begins with it.As all the RAKAH in NAMAZ starts with SURAH-FATIHA it is very important to understand the meanings and to have understanding related to the SURAH. Some of the important features of the SURAH are required to be discussed before going into detailed understanding. These features are-

1.SURAH-FATIHA revealed in MAKKA and contains 7 VERSES and 1 RUKU.

2.This is the first SURAH revealed fully(Complete Revelation).

3.Huzoor SAW said that there is no other SURAH like this.SURAH FATIHA is recited at the beginning of every RAKAH/SURAH there is some important property attached to this. This SURAH is a summary of whole QURAN.

4.This SURAH is also called as SURAH-SHIFA as Huzoor SAW said that this SURAH is the treatment for diseases.

Surah starts with VERSE "BISMILLAH HIRRAHMA NIRRAHIM", here word "BISMILLAH" contains three parts in itself.

First part is the word "BA" which can be used for three different meanings-

1.When one thing is attached to another.

2.Taking help from some other thing.

3.Getting blessings from some thing.

Second part is "ISM" which is used for name. Third part is "ALLAH" which is the most beautiful name of almighty and a name with no plurals as there is no one alike.Hence "BISMILLAH" may have three different meanings which are "With the name of ALLAH", "With help of ALLAH","With blessings of ALLAH".

Words "RAHMAN" means the one whose blessings or Grace spreads all over i.e. whose blessings are omnipresence. Word "RAHEEM" here signifies the one whose blessings and grace is complete. Hence "BISMILLAH HIRRAHMA NIRRAHIM" signifies "With the name of Allah SWT whose blessings/grace spreads all over and is complete".

Second VERSE of the SURAH is "AL-HAMDULILLAHI RABBIL AALAMEEN" where "AL-HAMDULILLAH" means all praise is due for Allah SWT, word "RABB" means the one who sustains and nurtures, "AALAMEEN" is the plural for "ALAM" which means WORLD,UNIVERSE.Hence the second VERSE in total said that "All praise is due for ALLAH SWT who is the nurturer of all the kingdoms,worlds(Humans,Birds,Sun,Moon,Sky,Angels,Wind,Water Etc). This also includes any other set of things present in the sky beyond the cognizance of humans.

Third VERSE is "ARRAHMA NIRRAHIM", its meanings have already been explained above.

Fourth VERSE is "MAALIK YAUMIDDIN", in this word "MAALIK" comes from the root arabic word "MILK" which means the one who holds or possesses a thing so that he has full control over its affairs(Managing and disposing). Words "YAUM" is used for "DAY"."DIN" used for the "COMING BACK". In total this verse said that "Allah is the master of the day of resurrection".

Fifth VERSE is "EEYAKA NAABUDU WA EEYAKA NASTAEEN" means that "O Allah you only we worship and seeking help from". As it is clear from the above VERSES that Allah SWT has complete authority over all the affairs of this world and the hereafter hence one should always seek guidance from ALLAH SWT which is clearly given in the holy QURAN and through the deeds of Holy Prophet(SAW)(Sunnats). 

Sixth VERSE "IHDI NASSIRATAL MUSTAQEEM" means "O Allah kindly guide us to the straight path". We seek help from you , straight path is the path which leads to a person to his goal. This goal is to be successful in the hereafter. 

Seventh VERSE is "SIRATALLAZEENA ANAMTA ALAYHIM GHAYRIL MAGHZOOBI ALAYHIM WALDWALLEEN" , again its a prayer to the Allah SWT that kindly guide us to that staright path which your obidient beleivers followed who recieved your favors and not on the path of those who attracted you anger. Here the straight path talked about is the path given in the holy QURAN and the PROPHET's(SAW)sayings and way of living. Here is a prayer to almighty ALLAH that kindly guide us to this straight path of QURAN and HADITH which leads us to acquire TAQWA and AKHLAQ(Good Manners).

It concludes the understanding part of the SURAH AL FATIHA. And if we analyze it we see that first 3 VERSES contains praise for the almighty by explaining the attributes which can't be possessed by anyone else. 4th VERSE has both elements of praise and prayer in it. Last 3 VERSES contains a prayer that O Allah SWT you are the master of everything so we seek guidance from none other but you so that we will be successful in this life and hereafter.