|
9th August 2004:
Surah Al Fatihah – “The Opening”
One of the most individual, unique and virtuous Surahs of the Holy Quraan is Al Fatihah. Its importance and distinctiveness compared to other Surahs is shown by the fact that the Quraan begins with it; it has been prescribed to be read in Prayer and that it was the first Surah to be revealed to mankind in its complete form. Other verses were revealed before Al Fatihah, however this was the first to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (S) in its entirety. It is most probably owing to this that the Surah has been named Fatihatul Kitab, The Opening of the Book.
Surah Al Fatihah contains powerful verses in which is outlined the instructions for reciting the Quraan. It portrays a message that, a person should approach the Quraan with a pure heart and mind, to read the Quraan solely for the purpose of seeking the truth and treading upon the right path. It is much like an introduction. The Surah is begun in the praise of Allah, he is glorified and the reciter is told and reminded of Allah’s majesty and his dominion over all the worlds. It is ended with a request for guidance. The man or woman reciting the Quraan ask of their Lord and Creator, for guidance. The answer to this plea for guidance is given within the rest of the glorious Quraan.
The Holy Prophet (S) has said, “I swear by Allah who is the master of my life, neither the Torah nor the Evangile nor the Psalms of David have anything to compare with the opening chapter of the Quraan, and no other chapter of the Quraan itself can compare with it.”(Reported by the companion Abu Huraira. Tirmidhi.)
The Holy Prophet has also said that this Surah is a cure for all kinds of illnesses. According to another tradition (Hadith) the Surah has also been named Al Shifa, “The Cure.”
Surah Al Fatihah is also the essence and the soul of the Quraan. It outlines all of the most important teachings that Allah has mentioned in the Quraan.
It can be said that this surah is like the foundations of the book of Allah and the rest of the Quraan is a more detailed and thorough version of this.
Most of the Quraan concentrates upon two themes, Iman (Faith) and Al Amal Al Salih (Virtuous Deeds). Since both of these principles have been discussed by Allah within this surah some authentic Ahadith have given such titles to Al Fatihah as, “Umm al Kitab” (Essence of the Book) and “Al Quraan al Azim”
(Glorious Quraan).
by (Moulana) Ebrahim Esakjee |
