By Eman Abdallah Kamel
Eman is a writer and engineer. She also studied at the ZAD Scientific Academy (Shariah) online course.
In this article, you will learn about the names, virtues, summary, explanation, and benefits of Surah Al-Fatiha.
Names of Al Fatiha
Its most famous name is Al-Fatiha (The Opening), but it has other names, including
- Al-Hamd (The Praise)
- Saba’ al-Mathani (Seven Repeated Verses)
- Umm al-Kitab (Mother of the Book)
- Umm al-Quran (Mother of the Quran)
Did you know?
Al-Fatiha is called the Saba’ al-Mathani because it has seven verses that are repeatedly recited in every Rak‘ah (unit of prayer). The Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings upon him) said, “The prayer of the one who did not recite the Opening of the Book is invalid.”
Reported by the Companion ‘Ubādah ibn as-Sāmit (may Allah be pleased with him) (Authentic hadith) (narrated by Bukhari & Muslim) – (Sahih Bukhari – 75)
To learn more about the above hadith, visit hadeethenc.com/hadith/5378.
Summary
Surah Al-Fatiha contains seven verses. The first verses include praise, glorification, and extolling Allah. The verses also mention the Hereafter, which emphasizes resurrection and accountability. The last verses emphasize the oneness of Allah Almighty and that He alone is worthy of worship. The verses urge people to ask Him and supplicate to Him to guide them to the straight path. The verses also warn against following misguided paths, lest one be gathered with the sinners on the Day of Resurrection, among those who have incurred His wrath and those who have gone astray.
The Virtues
Hadiths about the virtue of Surah Al-Fatiha.
As the angel Jibrīl (peace be upon him) was sitting with the Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings upon him), he heard a creaking sound from above. So he (Jibrīl) raised his head and said, “That is a door in the heavens that was opened today; it has never been opened before today.” An angel came down from it. He (Jibrīl) said, “That is an angel that came down to earth; he had never come down before, but today.” He (the angel) greeted with peace and said, “Have glad tidings with two lights that have been given to you, which were not given to any prophet before you: Surah al-Fātihah and the last verses of Surah al-Baqarah (The Cow). You will not recite one letter of them, but you will be given it.”
Reported by the Companion Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) (Authentic hadith) (narrated by Muslim)
To learn more about this hadith, visit hadeethenc.com/hadith/5775.
Abu Sa‘īd Rāfi’ ibn al-Mu‘alla (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, “Shall I teach you the greatest Sūrah in the Qur’an before you leave al-masjid (the mosque)?” Then he took me by the hand, and when we were about to leave the mosque, I reminded him of his promise. He said: “It is ‘Alhamdulillāh Rabb al-‘Ālāmīn.’” (Sūrah al-Fātihah) It is the seven repeatedly recited verses and the Great Quran that was given to me.”
(Authentic hadith) – (Narrated by Bukhari)
To learn more about the explanation of the above hadith, visit hadeethenc.com/hadith/10112.
The Companion Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah say,
Allah the Exalted said, I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant, and My servant shall receive what he asks. When the servant says, All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah Almighty says, My servant has praised Me.
And when the servant says, The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful, Allah the Most High says, My servant has extolled Me. And when he says, The Master of the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty says, My servant has glorified Me. And also He says, My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me.
And when the servant says, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” He (Allah Almighty) says, “This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall receive what he asks for.”
Then, when he (the servant) says, “Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed, not of those who incurred Your Wrath, nor of those who have gone astray,” He (Allah Almighty) says, “This is for My servant, and My servant shall receive what he asks for.”
(Authentic hadith)—(Narrated by Muslim)—(Sahih Muslim—395)
To learn more about the above Hadith Qudsi, visit hadeethenc.com/hadith/65099.
Explanation (Tafsir)
{1} In the Name of Allah—the Entirely Merciful, Especially Merciful.
- The meaning of “Allah” in the Arabic language grammar is “the Worshipped One.”
- Ar-Rahman, or “The Entirely Merciful,” is the One whose mercy encompasses all creation.
- “The Especially Merciful” (Ar-Raheem) to the believers.
Allah is a name that belongs only to the One, Almighty God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them, the Eternal, the Absolute. He alone is worthy of worship, and to Him all acts of worship are due.
Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem are two names of Allah derived from the word “mercy” (raḥmah). In Arabic grammar, both are an intensified form of the word “merciful” (extremely merciful). Their use together conveys a comprehensive and inclusive meaning.
- “Ar-Rahman” is used only to describe Allah. Rahman is above the level of humanity (extremely merciful). “Ar-Rahman” also has a broader meaning (merciful to all creation). Furthermore, “Ar-Rahman” is an adjective that refers to an attribute of Allah and is part of His essence.
- “Ar-Raheem” encompasses the concept of being especially and specifically merciful to the believers. Ar-Raheem is verbal, indicating what He does, meaning He bestows and implements mercy.
{2} [All] praise is for Allah, Lord (Rabb) of all worlds,
When referring to Allah Almighty, the Arabic term “Rabb” (Lord) encompasses a range of meanings, including owner, master, ruler, controller, sustainer, provider, guardian, and caretaker.
All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and thanks to Him for His countless blessings, the value of which is known only to Him. Allah Almighty says,
If you should count Allah’s blessings, you could not number them. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Surah An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:18
{3} The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
{4} Master of (Yawm Ad-Din), the Day of Judgment.
- Yawm Ad-Din is the Day of Judgment. On that Day, Allah Almighty will reckon the creation for their deeds, good or evil. Allah Almighty says,
The Day [of Judgment], when neither wealth nor sons will be of any benefit.
But only those who come to Allah with a pure heart ˹will be saved.˺”
Ash-Shuara (The Poets) 26:88, 89
- A pure heart is a heart that believes in Allah Almighty and is free from envy, hypocrisy, and all bad qualities.
{5} It is You [alone] we worship and You [alone] we ask for help. Meaning: We worship Allah Almighty alone, and we ask for His help alone in all our affairs.
{6} Guide us to the Straight Path,
Meaning: Guide, lead, and grant us the right guidance.
- The Straight Path is the clear path that leads to God Almighty and His Paradise. It is knowing the truth and acting upon it.
{7} The Path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your grace, not of those who have earned Your anger or of those who are astray.
Meaning: The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your favour: the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. Do not make us among those who have incurred Your wrath, nor among those who have gone astray.
- Those who have earned Allah’s anger are those who knew the truth but did not act upon it.
- The lost ones: They are those who were not guided due to their ignorance, and as a result, they went astray.
Allah Almighty says,
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger—those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the people of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.
An-Nisa (The Women) 4:69
Benefits
- Thanking God Almighty for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us, whether these blessings are religious or worldly.
- The religion with which Allah Almighty sent all the prophets is Islam (submission to God). It began with Adam, passed through Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and ended with Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah upon them all). Allah Almighty says, “Certainly, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam [full submission to the will of Allah]. Those who were given the Scripture did not differ except after knowledge had come to them, out of jealous animosity between themselves.” [Ali Imran (Family of Imran) 3:19]
- Reminding people of the Day of Judgment to encourage sincere worship of God Almighty and doing good deeds.
- Humans are divided into three categories: the first category consists of those whom God Almighty has blessed with knowledge of the truth and followed it; the second category comprises those who know the truth but deny it; and the third category consists of those who have strayed from the right path due to their ignorance.
- We ask Allah Almighty to keep us steadfast on the straight path, which is the true way that leads to Allah Almighty and His Paradise. We ask Him to be among the people of truth, those who know the truth and follow it.
Allah Almighty says,
Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us Your mercy. You are surely the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.
Ali Imran (Family of Imran) 3:8
Sources
- quranenc.com/en/english/saheeh
- quran.com
- quran.islamonline.net/language-en
- Mohammad Metwally Al Shaarawy … YouTube
©Eman Abdallah Kamel, 2025
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