Surah Al-Fatiha is the core of the Quran and an integral part of our daily prayers. Pondering over its verses can help us take charge of our lives with clarity and strength.
1:1) In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Beginning our tasks, activities, and days with the name of Allah SWT reminds us of His presence. This cleanses our intentions and how we go about things. Undoubtedly, by taking Allah SWT’s name before anything we are endowed with His help and blessings.
1:2) [All] praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds
Praising Allah SWT leads to gratitude and resilience, because we remind ourselves of who gave us so much without our asking and can easily give much more. Moreover, extoling Him by His many names of power such as Al-Qadeer (The All-Powerful), we remind ourselves that if we believe, even mountains can be moved!
1:3) The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Allah SWT is Ar-Rahman (the Entirely Merciful) and Ar-Raheem (the Especially Merciful). Evidently, our trials are within our capabilities because He never tests us beyond them (2:286). Also, since Allah SWT is the Most Merciful, trust that our trials are going to end soon.
Moreover, at any point in time our blessings remain uncountable (14:34), because Allah SWT is the Most Merciful, the Generous One. Therefore, we should always and always ask Him for even the smallest of things. He never tires of hearing our wishes and complaints, so ask Him: “Indeed, my Lord is Near and Responsive” (11:61).
1:4) The Possessor of the Day of Doom
This verse is a reminder to make careful choices because Allah SWT, the Judge, will question us about our sincerity of faith on Judgment Day. Therefore, we must consciously remind ourselves of this verse’s meaning in prayer. If we do, then we will definitely succeed in leaving behind vice and working righteousness. In the end, that’s all what truly matters because we truly own only our choices-the rest is illusory.
1:5) You we worship and You we ask for help
This verse is reminder to ourselves of our allegiance to Allah SWT as the only God and that we maintain our reverence of Him. Therefore, when we need help, He is the first one we turn to. Also, when we are upset or annoyed, He is the first one we complain to. Since Allah SWT is the Most Loving, the Protecting Friend, the Best of Helpers, by expressing our devotion to Him, we make way for light and ease into our lives!
1:6) Guide us to the Straight Path
Verse 6 of surah Al-Fatiha reminds us of how often we need Allah SWT’s guidance. Although we may live in Muslim families and pray regularly, we shouldn’t relax in seeking Allah SWT’s guidance. This is because Ash-Shaytan is always seeking to thwart us from being our best. Hence, we must actively ask for Allah SWT’s guidance in working righteousness- for ourselves and everybody else.
1:7) The path of those upon who You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned Your anger or of those who are astray
The examples of the messengers and other favored servants of Allah SWT mentioned in the Quran and who live in our own times, are the ones we must emulate to be our best in His Sight. If He guides us by the example of another person, we must be humble in order to embrace the lessons.
To sum it up, surah Al-Fatiha helps us cleanse our perspective of life. We can win by embracing its lessons: worship Allah SWT, praise Him, and do good deeds. Definitely, life is easier than we devote ourselves to our Creator.
Featured image source: nouracademy.com, “The virtues of Surah al-Fatiha”, 18 October 2017
