You are here: Home » Chapter 1 » Verse 1 » Translation
← Sura 1 →
← Aya 1 →

Chapter 1

The Openingal-Fātiḥah ( الفاتحة )

7 verses • revealed at Meccan

»The surah that is The Opening to the Quran and the straight way of God. Another common name of the surah is The [Lord’s] Praise (al-Ḥamd). It is seen to be a precise table of contents of the Quranic message and is important in Islamic worship, being an obligatory part of the daily prayer, repeated several times during the day.«

The surah is also known as The Exordium, The Opening Chapter, The Opening of the Book, The Prologue

1
بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ

(Saheeh International)

Al-Fātiḥah: The Opening (of the Qur’ān). Note: Sūrah titles are not an integral part of the Qur’ān. A distinguishing word in a particular sūrah or a word defining its subject matter often became a common means of identification among the Prophet's companions and later scholars. Although some names, such as al-Fātiḥah, were used by the Prophet (ṣ) in reference to a particular sūrah, they were not specifically designated by him as titles.
In the name of Allāh,1 the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.2
  • Allāh is a proper name belonging only to the one Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is within them, the Eternal and Absolute, to whom alone all worship is due.
  • Ar-Raḥmān and ar-Raḥeem are two names of Allāh derived from the word "raḥmah" (mercy). In Arabic grammar both are intensive forms of "merciful" (i.e., extremely merciful). A complimentary and comprehensive meaning is intended by using both together.
    Raḥmān is used only to describe Allāh, while raḥeem might be used to describe a person as well. The Prophet (ṣ) was described in the Qur’ān as raḥeem. Raḥmān is above the human level (i.e., intensely merciful). Since one usually understands intensity to be something of short duration, Allāh describes Himself also as raḥeem (i.e., continually merciful).
    Raḥmān also carries a wider meaning – merciful to all creation. Justice is a part of this mercy. Raḥeem includes the concept of speciality – especially and specifically merciful to the believers. Forgiveness is a part of this mercy. (See al-Qurṭubī's al-Jāmi‘u li Aḥkāmil-Qur’ān, pp. 103-107.)