INTRODUCTION OF AL-FAATIHAH, “THE OPENING”

LESSON # 3 HOLY QUR’AAN

F A A T I H A H – 1

           INTRODUCTION OF AL-FAATIHAH, “THE OPENING”

It is also called Faatihahtu’l-Kitaab, “The Opening of The Scripture, Ummul’l-Qur’aan and The Essence of The Qur’aan, as it is variously named, has been called The Lord’s Prayer of the Muslims. It is also named as Suurah al-Shafa as recitation of this Suurah results physical and spiritual restoration of health. ALLAH ALMIGHTY has taught his Servants to beg from HIM. If we wish to narrate the Abstract of Holy Qur’aan, then we shall say in this manner that there are three main subjects in the Holy Qur’aan, which are narrated repeatedly:-

1      The Skies, The Earth and every thing is created by ALLAH. He      has no relative, no partner, no co-sharer and no confederate. HE is ONE and all things are looked after and brought up by HIM.

2        Each mankind will be responsible himself for his acts and all the persons will be present in The Court of ALLAH, where, their acts will be examined and they will rewarded or awarded according to their acts, done in this life.

3        The Messengers of ALLAH were sent in all parts of the world, who told the people difference between the right and the wrong way. They instructed the mankind for goodness.  

It is an essential part of all Muslims' worship, public and private, and no solemn contract or transaction is complete unless it is recited. The date of revelation is uncertain, but the fact that it has always, from the very earliest times, formed a part of Muslim worships, there being no record or remembrance of its introduction or of public prayer without it, makes it clear that it was revealed before the fourth year of the Prophet’s mission because we know for certain that by that time regular congregation prayers were offered by the little group of Muslims in Makkah. In that year, as the result of insult and attack, by the idolaters, the Prophet arranged for the service, which had till then been held out of doors, to take place in a private house.

This Suurah is also often called Saba’an min al-Mathaani, “Seven of the Oft-repeated” (verses being Understood), XV, words which are taken as referring to this Suurah.

You would have seen that how much virtue has this Suurah. Reciting it needs special attention and consideration. It should also be admonished to others. O ALLAH ALMIGHTY! Give us power and strength to do well.

       

Transliteration in Roman Script, English Translation by Marmaduke Pickthall and Paraphrase collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore & translated By Muhammad Sharif Fauji