Surah Al-Fatiha - How its 8 Major Focuses Lay Out a Map of the Quran
Faith
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Feb 7, 2019
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3 MIN READ
Dilshad Ali
editor
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It’s referred to as “The Opening” or “The Key” and is classified as a Makkan surah. With only seven verses, 29 words and 141 letters, it literally opens up the reading of the Quran with it’s position at the beginning of the first Juz or chapter. Surah Al-Fatiha is one of the most beloved and well-known surahs in the Quran, recited not just multiple times in our daily salah (prayer) but on many occasions - when somebody dies, when starting something new or perhaps as a source of comfort - with immense rewards and virtues bestowed upon those reciting it.
Like many of us, Al-Fatiha is one of the first surahs I learned as a child. My mother still recollects with love and smiles how, when I was maybe three or four years old, I would stand with my brothers and father in prayer and recite Al-Fatiha in a breathless manner with such pride. After teaching my children the kalima, Al-Fatiha was the first surah I taught them. And, even though my eldest son is profoundly autistic and nonverbal (but not non-communicative), he also recognizes this surah from how much he has heard it being recited around him.
At some point in our Muslim lives, I’m sure many of us have attended a halaqa (study circle), listened to a lecture or even had our parents or teachers explain the significance of Al-Fatiha. It holds the key to understanding the major themes and focuses in the Quran. However, it struck me the other day how often I recite Al-Fatiha without reflecting on or even remembering the gist of its meaning.
Recently (as you may know, if you’re a follower of Haute Hijab), our dear friend and HH Creative Director Gizelle Begler’s mother passed away after a two-year battle with ALS. I am the only HH employee who doesn’t work in the New York office, and as I followed along with what my coworkers/friends were doing (as they attended the janaza, or funeral prayers, and were visiting Gizelle), I thought about what I can do where I am - pray and ask others to join me in reading Al-Fatiha.
The following weekend, one of our local masajid offered a Saturday night halaqa on Al-Fatiha, promising to give a quick and surface-level tafseer (commentary or interpretation) on this important surah, which I decided to attend with two of my three children.
It was a beautiful refresher for me into why Al-Fatiha is so important and how in knowing it, we can gain insight into the eight major focuses of the Quran. What I’ve done below is broken down the surah into its seven lines with the literal meaning and what Quranic focus it relates to. May Allah (S) forgive me if I've made any mistakes in sharing this information with you.
1. Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem In the Name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful
2. Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;Focus: Tawheed, or the oneness of Allah (S), but also how Allah (S) is introducing Himself to mankind.
3. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem Most Gracious, Most Merciful;Focus: Glad tidings. He is the bearer of glad tidings.
4. Maaliki Yawmid-Deen Master of the Day of Judgment.Focus: Warnings - this refers to warnings that appear throughout the Quran to mankind about straying from Allah (S) and disobeying Him.
Focus (wa iyyaka nasta’een): Realities and metaphysical realities of life, which is later greatly touched on in Surah Mulk.
6. Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem Show us the straight way,Focus: Dhikr - du’as and prayers about dhikr (the remembrance of Allah (S)
Focus (ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen): Stories of the wicked.
These focuses, laid out in Al-Fatiha, are reflected throughout the Quran.
There is so much more to learn about Al-Fatiha. Check out these articles and resources here and here. This basic breakdown of the line-by-line focuses hardly does the surah justice. But, even learning this small amount from that one halaqa helped recenter my love for this surah and its importance in our lives. It also reminded me of how important it is to keep learning and relearning - in big and small ways - about the Quran throughout our life’s journey.
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