Surah Al-Fatihah is the opening chapter of the Quran. It consists of seven verses and is also called 'Al-Sab' al-Mathani' — the seven oft-repeated verses. It is recited in every rak'ah (unit) of prayer, making it the most recited Surah in Islam. No prayer is valid without it. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah).' (Sahih al-Bukhari & Muslim) Let us understand each verse: 1. 'Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim' — In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. We begin everything in the name of Allah, seeking His blessings and mercy. Ar-Rahman means Allah's mercy encompasses all of creation. Ar-Rahim means His special mercy is for the believers. 2. 'Al-hamdu lillahi Rabb al-'alamin' — All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Everything that exists, Allah created and sustains it. He alone deserves all praise for His countless blessings. 3. 'Ar-Rahman ar-Rahim' — The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Allah mentions His mercy again to show that before anything else, His mercy encompasses everything. He is merciful before judgment and especially merciful to believers. 4. 'Maliki yawm ad-din' — Master/King of the Day of Judgment. On that Day, only Allah will rule. No one will have any power except by His permission. This reminds us of our accountability to Allah. 5. 'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in' — You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. This is the core of Tawhid — we worship only Allah and seek help only from Him. This verse is divided between Allah and His servant: 'You alone we worship' is for Allah, and 'You alone we ask for help' is the servant's need. 6. 'Ihdina as-sirat al-mustaqim' — Guide us to the straight path. We ask Allah to keep us on the path of Islam, the path of the Prophet ﷺ, the path of truth and righteousness. This is the most important du'a we can make. 7. 'Sirat alladhina an'amta 'alayhim ghayri al-maghdubi 'alayhim wa la ad-dallin' — The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray. The favored ones are the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. Those who earned anger knew the truth but rejected it. Those who are astray acted without knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Allah, the Exalted, said: I have divided the prayer (Al-Fatihah) between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he asks for.' (Sahih Muslim)

• 1.Why is Surah Al-Fatihah called 'the seven oft-repeated'?
• 2.What does 'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in' teach us about worship?
• 3.How does Allah respond when we recite Al-Fatihah (according to the hadith)?
• 4.What are the three paths mentioned in the last verse?
• 5.Why is Surah Al-Fatihah essential in every prayer?
• 6.What is the difference between Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim?