1. بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
2. ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
3. ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
4. مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
5. إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
6. ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
7. صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Most scholars classify it among the Meccan surahs (revealed before the Hijrah). Verse 87 of Surah Al-Ḥijr — “And We have certainly given you the seven oft-repeated verses and the Grand Qur’an” — is often cited as evidence that Al-Fatiha was among the earliest revelations.
Some commentators suggest that the surah was first revealed in Mecca and later reaffirmed in Medina.
The name “Al-Fatiha” means “The Opening” because it opens the Qur’an. It is also referred to as “The Mother of the Book”, “The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses”, and “The Key to the Qur’an.”
“The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful”, “Lord of the Worlds”, “Master of the Day of Judgment.”
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”
“Guide us to the Straight Path — the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger nor of those who are astray.”
In essence, the surah summarizes key pillars of faith: divine praise, mercy, accountability on the Day of Judgment, exclusive worship, reliance on God, the pursuit of divine guidance, and the distinction between righteousness and misguidance. It is an essential part of the Muslim prayer (salāh), recited by the imam or the individual in every unit (rak‘ah) of the prescribed prayer.
Several verses stand out for their depth and significance. Verse 6 — اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
(“Guide us to the Straight Path”) — is often considered the heart of the surah, as it expresses the believer’s request for divine guidance, central to the Islamic faith.
Verse 5 — إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
(“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help”) — is equally fundamental, encapsulating the relationship between the servant and the Lord.
Together, verses 5 and 6 are regarded as central verses of Al-Fatiha due to their profound theological and spiritual meaning.
The Opening