Quranic Passage 6

Surah 1 (Al-Fatihah)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ O ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ O ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ O مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ O إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ O ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ O صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ O

Translation

1. In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful. 2. Praise be to Allah, the cherisher and sustainer of the worlds; 3. Most gracious, most merciful; 4. Master of the day of judgement. 5. You we worship, and your aid we seek. 6. Show us the straight way, 7. The way of those to whom You have given your grace, not those who earn your anger, nor those who go astray.

Main Theme(s)

The main themes are: God’s relationship with the created world and that God is the Lord of creation; He gives guidance to humans; He is the Merciful; He is One.

This passage is from the theme of God’s relationship with the creation. It says that it is God who presides over judgment and controls the worlds. He is worthy of praise as he is the one who is the Sustainer, Cherisher and Master of mankind. This sura is used as a prayer. He gives guidance to those who ask. The Holy Qur’an refers:

“And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)…” (40:60, Ghafir)

God will preside over the day of judgement but as He is Merciful and Compassionate, humans have the hope that they can seek His forgiveness. He is the one to ask for help, and it is He who can grant it for anything. He is Master of all creation so only He is deserving of worship.

Importance of these Themes in a Muslim’s life today

This surah is recited in every prayer and it is a conversation with God and He is the Creator, and God is replying to each verse.. The Holy Prophet said:

“No prayer is accepted without Fatiha.”

Through this surah, humans communicate with God. Muslims use this to ask for guidance (given in the Qur’an and Sunnah), for mercy and help, even outside the prayer. Submitting to God brings humbleness into lives, and because Muslims are accountable to God they pray to be guided on the straight path. Through the teachings of this suraہ, Muslims today gain confidence in God’s mercy and seek His guidance. Fear of God’s accountability also forces Muslims to live their lives in accordance with God’s commands.