Get to Know surah Al-Fatiha

Get to Know surah Al-Fatiha

Surah al-Fatihah is the first Surah of the Quran and considered as one of the most powerful surahs in the Quran.

The primary literal meaning of the expression “Al-Fatiḥah” is “The Opener” which could refer to this surah being “the opener of the Book (the Quran)”. This surah is summarizing the meanings and teachings that follow in the rest chapters of the Quran. 

The Facts and Significance

1. Revealed at Makkah

Surah Al-Fatihah came down in Mecca as stated by Ibn Abbas, Qatadah and Abu’l-Aliyah. It was revealed before the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah. Some other opinions also say that Surah Al-Fatihah was revealed on two separate occasions, once in Makkah and once in Madinah. It is also postulated that Surah Al-Fatihah was revealed in Madinah as stated by Abu Hurayrah, Mujahid, ‘Ata ibn Yasar and Az-Zuhri.

And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an.” [Al-Hijr 15:87]

2. Recited in Every Prayer Cycle

Surah Al-Fatihah is the first Surah recited in full in every prayer cycle (rakaat) to make your prayer complete and valid. Some hadiths show the importance of reciting Surah Al-Fatihah during prayer. 

It was narrated by Ubada bin As-Samit (RA) that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said

(Sahih al-Bukhari: 756)Whoever does not recite Al-Fatihah in his prayer, his prayer is invalid.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 756)

3. One of the Two Lights from Heaven

Surah Al-Fatihah is one of the two lights from Heaven given to the Allah’s Messenger ﷺand the other one is surah Al-Baqarah.https://4f3f6c9ad95c740a630b7505b4355528.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html?n=1

Ibn Abbas (RA) said,

“When Jibril was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he heard a sound from above like a door opening. Jibril, peace be upon him, looked up toward the sky and said: ‘This is a gate in Heaven that has been opened, but it was never opened before.” He said: “An Angel came down from it and came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: ‘Receive the glad tidings of two lights that have been given to you and were never given to any prophet before you: The Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah) and the last verses of Surat Al-Baqarah. You will never recite a single letter of them but you will be granted it.’” (Sunan an-Nasa’i: 912

4. The Greatest Surah in the Quran

Abu Sa’id ibn al-Mu’alla narrated that the Prophet  said,

“I will teach you the greatest chapter in the Quran before you leave the mosque.” The Prophet took me by the hand and when he intended to leave, I said to him, “Did you not say that you would teach me the greatest chapter in the Quran?” The Prophet said, “All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds (1:1), the seven oft-repeated verses and the great recitation given to me.” (Sahih al-Bukhari: 4720)

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