Surah Al-Fatihah (The Beginning)

Place of Revelation: Makkah
Tawqeefi Sequence: 1
Order of Revelation: 5
Ruku:   1
Verses: 7
Reason for Name: Because it is the first Surah
Time of Revelation: During first three (3) years of declaration of prophethood

Surah Al-Fatihah is the first Surah of the Quran. It is a Makki Surah, consisting of seven (7) verses and one (1) Ruku. Fatihah means The Opening. It is named so because of its content and because it is the beginning of the Quran. It is also referred to as Umm al-Quran (The essence of the Quran) (Sahih Bukhari: 4704). This Surah was revealed during the first three (3) years after the declaration of Prophethood when the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was preaching quietly. It was the first complete Surah to be revealed; previous revelations consisted of a few verses and not entire Surahs. This Surah was revealed more than once – first in Makkah and then again in Madinah. The first three (3) verses discuss Allah, the last three (3) speak about human beings, and the middle (4th) verse describes the relationship between Allah and His servant. The first part of the Surah introduces us to the praise and sovereignty of Allah. The second part teaches us how to supplicate and presents a complete supplication. Surah Al-Fatihah introduces us to Allah and also guides us toward the path that pleases Him. If we follow this path, Allah will bless us with His bounties. The Prophet Muhammad instructed us to say Ameen after reciting or hearing this Surah. The most important aspect of this Surah is the plea for guidance on the straight path. The Prophet Muhammad said: By Him in Whose Hand is my soul! No Surah like this has been revealed in the Torah, the Gospel, the Psalms, or the Furqan (Quran). (Sunan Tirmidhi: 2875, Al-Mustadrak Al-Hakim: 2048)

_____ Awareness (Āgāhi) ___________________________________________________________________

Makki Surah:   The chapters of the Quran that were revealed before the migration of the Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) to Madinah are called “Makki Surahs.” All the chapters revealed from the time of the Prophet’s declaration of Prophethood until the migration to Madinah are considered Makki. There are eighty-six (86) Makki Surahs. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) – Introduction to Surah Al-Fatiha)

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Recognizing Allah as the Sustainer of All Creation

1:1  Inference: All praise belongs to Allah alone, Who is the Creator, Sustainer, and Nurturer of all the worlds. We thank Rabb of all the worlds. (References: Al Quran, 3:190-191, 6:2, 6:45, 9:112, 35:27-28)
Explanation: This is the very first Aayah of the Quran.
1:2       Inference: Allah is Most Gracious without limit and Ever Merciful.

1:3       Inference: Along with being the Lord of all the worlds, Allah is also the Master of the Day of Judgment. (References: Al Quran, 6:2, 9:33, 17:11, 43:84, 82:18-19)

Explanation: These first three (3) verses introduce us to Allah, His infinite mercy, and His ownership of the Day of Judgment. All three verses are related to Allah.

Declaration of Accepting Allah as our Lord

1:4  Inference:  Our Lord! We are Your creation, so we worship (‘Ibadah) You alone and seek help from You alone. O Wahdahu La Shareek! We will not worship anyone besides You, and we will seek help only from You. (References: Al Quran, 3:78, 5:44-48, 12:40)

Explanation: This verse explains the relationship between the servant and Allah. We worship our Lord and seek help from Him in every stage of life.

Supplication for Guidance

1:5 Inference: Our Lord, we know: if it were not for Your grace, we could not walk the straight path. So show us Sirat ul Mustaqeem through Your mercy. (References: Al quran, 2:47, 31:20)

The Straight Path

1:6 Inference: Our Lord! Grant us the ability to follow the path of those whom You have favored and declared successful. This is the path shown by the Nabi and Rasool – the path to success. (Reference: Al Quran, 4:69)

1:7  Inference:  O our Beloved Lord! Save us from walking the path of those upon whom You were angry and who faced Your wrath. O our Master! Also save us from the path of those who went astray, like Iblis who disobeyed Your command and went astray. O our Lord! Accept our supplication. (Ameen) (References: Al Quran, 2:47, 2:61, 6:148, 7:87, 8:53, 29:69, 37:69-71, 45:23, 61:5)

Explanation:  The last three (3) verses teach us servitude and obedience. We supplicate to Allah to guide us to the straight path and make us among those with whom Allah is pleased.

Tawqeefi Sequence:According to Allah’s wisdom, the Quran was revealed in the form of verses and Surahs. The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) would inform the people about which Surah and in what order the revealed verses should be written. In this way, the Quran was compiled in its present form. This divinely guided arrangement is called “Tawqeefi Sequence”. (Al Quran, 76:23, Sunan Abi Dawood: 786, Tirmidhi: 3086, Musnad Ahmad: 8651, Mustadrak Al-Hakim: 3272). In simple terms, the sequence taught by Allah is called the Tawqeefi sequence, and this is the order in which we recite the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Nazooli Sequence: The order in which the verses and Surahs were revealed over time is known as the “Nazooli Sequence” (Order of Revelation). In this sense, the first revelation was the first five (5) verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq, and the last verse revealed was verse number three (3) of Surah Al-Ma’idah. The sequence of the Quran was arranged by the Prophet of Allah according to Allah’s guidance. That is why Surah Al-‘Alaq appears as the ninety-third (93rd) Surah in the current order. The Quran is recited only in this final sequence. The Quran was revealed over time in response to needs, situations, or questions. The order of revelation is known as the “Nazooli Sequence”. With every revelation, the Prophet informed people – by Allah’s guidance – where the verse should be placed. Today, the Nazooli sequence is used only for research or understanding specific rulings or events. The Quran cannot be written or recited in this sequence now, as doing so would be disobedience to Allah’s command. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Rabb: The one who lovingly and carefully nurtures every particle of the universe is called Rabb (Lord). A Rabb is someone who creates something and has the power to nurture it to perfection, fulfilling all its needs. The one who eternally sustains, protects, grants, and is the Sovereign of the universe is called Rabb. It is one of Allah’s names. The word Rabb is mentioned one hundred and fifty-one (151) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Ayah: Ayah means sign. A single statement in the Quran is called an Ayah (Verse). A portion of any Surah is referred to as an Ayah. There is no fixed length for an Ayah. The shortest Ayah in the Quran is in Surah Sad (Al Quran, 38) and consists of just one (1) letter: Ṣād. The longest Ayah is Ayah number 282 in Surah Al-Baqarah, which contains one hundred and twent-eight (128) words and five hundred and twent-six (526) letters. In the early days, there was no specific symbol to mark the end of an Ayah. Later, a circular mark and then the verse number were added at the end. The commonly cited total of six thousands six hundred and sixty-six (6,666) verses is inaccurate (Total Quranic verses: p 190). According to the Kufic count, the number of Quranic verses is six thousands two hundred and thirty-six (6,236); according to the Madani count, it is six thousands two hundred and fourteen (6,214). The difference arises from splitting some verses into two parts. The word Ayah occurs eighty-four (84) times, and Ayaat (plural) one hundred and forty-eight (148) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Day of Judgment:  Allah has set a fixed time for every human to live in this world. Similarly, the world itself has an appointed time. After that, people will be rewarded or punished based on their deeds (Al Quran, 6:2). On that day, all humans will be resurrected and judged based on their actions (Al Quran, 82:1–5). This is called the Day of Reckoning. The word Yawm ad-Deen appears six (6) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Ibaadah: Worship and obedience to Allah are referred to as “ ‘Ibaadah”(Worship). This is exclusive to Allah. No one else deserves worship. ‘Ibaadah also includes religious duties like fasting and performing Salah. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Shareek: Shareek means a partner or one who shares authority or responsibility. When more than one person shares in an action or authority, they are called each other’s partners. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Wahdahu La Shareek: He is alone; there is none like Him nor any partner in His being or attributes. The word Shareek appears 3 times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Tawheed: Allah is One; He has no father or son. He has no wife, no partner, and none like Him. This belief is called “Tawheed”(Oneness). No one other than Allah is worthy of worship. He has no partner in His being or attributes. Believing in Allah’s Oneness is essential. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Siraat al-Mustaqeem: Siraat al-Mustaqeem means Straight Path – the path that leads to Allah’s pleasure. The path shown by Allah and His Messenger is called the Straight Path, and it is the path to success. (Al Quran, 48:20, 67:22) The word Siraat appears thirty eight (38) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Nabi: The chosen servants of Allah, to whom He sent revelations for the guidance of people, are called Prophets (Nabi). Prophets are protected from sin and error. They bring Allah’s message to the people. Books and scriptures were revealed to Prophets (Al Quran, 2:136). Allah sent Prophets to every nation (Al Quran, 35:24, 43:6). Approximately, one hundred and twenty-four thousands (124,000) Prophets were sent to the world. (Al-Quran, 33:40; Majma Uz-Zawa-id: 725). All Prophets were men; no woman was ever a Prophet (Al Quran, 12:109). No one can become a Prophet through knowledge or worship. The first Prophet sent to Earth was Adam, and the last is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. The word Nabi is mentioned forty-four (44) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Wahi: Allah’s act of guiding His prophets and messengers by revealing His Word to them is called “Wahi” (Revelation). Any message or guidance that comes from Allah is referred to as Wahi. Approximately twenty-four thousands (24,000) revelations were sent down to the Messenger of Allah (as per Al-Itqān by Imam Suyuti and Al-Burhan by Al-Zamakhshari). The chain of revelation for prophets ended with Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah. The word Wahi is mentioned twice in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Rasool: The word Rasool means “One who is sent” (Al Quran, 42:51). A chosen prophet of Allah who brings a new divine law or a change in the previous one is called a “Rasool” (Messenger). A total of three hundred and fifteen (315) Messengers were sent to the world, including Moses (Musa), Jesus (‘Isa), and Muhammad son of ‘Abdullah. Muhammad is the final Messenger of this universe (Al Quran, 33:40, Majma uz Zawa-id: 725). The word Rasool is mentioned one hundred and sixteen (116) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Rasoolullah:  The name of the last Messenger of Allah is Muhammad son of ‘Abdullah, hence he is called Muhammad Rasoolullah (Al Quran, 33:40, 48:29). Muhammad means “The one who is highly praised.” Allah revealed His final Book, the Quran, to him. He was sent as a prophet and messenger for all of creation. No messenger or prophet will come after him. He was born in Makkah in 571 CE. The 47th chapter of the Quran, Surah Muhammad, is named after him. The name Muhammad is mentioned four times in the Quran (Al Quran, 3:144, 33:40, 47:2, 48:29) . (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Shari’ah:  The way of life chosen by Allah for His servants is called Shari’ah (Divine Law). It includes all rules and agreements for individual, social, and collective life, established with justice. Each divine law is associated with its respective messenger, such as the Shari’ah of Moses and the Shari’ah of Muhammad. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Christian Calendar: A solar year that completes twelve (12) months based on the sun’s rotation is called the Gregorian or Christian Calendar. It begins with the birth of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus), son of Maru (Maryam), hence named the Christian Calendar. A Gregorian year has three hundred and sixty-five (365) days. Every four (4) years, an extra day is added in February, called a Leap Year. The first month is January, and the last is December. ((Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Makkah:  Makkah is located in Saudi Arabia and is considered the oldest city in the world. It is seventy (70) kilometers away from Jeddah and the Red Sea, and nine hundred and nine (909) feet above sea level. Its population in 2022 was approximately twenty-four lac (2.4 million). During Hajj, nearly seventy-five lac (7.5 million) people gather in the city. As of 2023, about ten lac and eighty thousands (10.8 million) international visitors arrive annually. In the Quran, it is also referred to as Bakkah (Al Quran, 3:96) and Valley of Faran. Islam began in Makkah, and the Prophet Muhammadwas born here in 571 CE. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

Dua: Asking from one’s Lord or desiring His mercy is called Dua (Supplication). Allah has commanded His servants to make Dua. The word Dua is mentioned fourteen (14) times in the Quran. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

AmeenAmeen means “May it be accepted” – a prayer for Allah to accept our supplication. (Please see: Awareness (Āgāhi) #: 01)

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