The quest for God is a journey, and every journey has a beginning. Before we venture into a new territory, we must pass through the entrance. The gateway has to be known otherwise our excursion is not possible. Many try knocking on doors, but to their dismay, discover that the doors are not opened. This is so because they are at the wrong door. Approach through the right gateway and it is then that you will truly enter into a new realm. As the first Surah or chapter of the Qur’an, Al Fatiha is its gateway. It is the supplication from those on a quest towards God while the rest of the Qur’an is the answer. As the most oft-repeated supplication of the Muslim daily liturgy, Al Fatiha occupies an important place in the life of a believer. Yet, we remain largely ignorant of its true meaning and form a mechanical and ceremonial attachment to this very important petition. Conscious about not reciting the words merely in a parrot like fashion, without having any intellectual connection with the meaning behind the utterance, we must devote time and thought to their study. Believers are to rehearse this petition no less than seventeen times as part of the five daily prayers, but do we know exactly what it is that we implore?
Al Fatiha comes from the triliteral Arabic root fā tā ḥā literally ‘He opened’. From the same comes Miftah or ‘Key’. Al Fatiha, from the same root means ‘The opener’. The title of the chapter signifies its importance as well as its purpose and serves as a befitting preamble to the Islamic scripture. Through this petition, the petitioner seeks access to the realm of God’s guidance. He wants the door to be opened for him, so that he can begin life’s most important journey. Surah Al Fatiha is the key which will open that door.
The opening line “Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;” (1:1) emphasizes that as Our Creator provides for all creation, so should believers also provide nourishment for all under their custody and care, whether humans, plants or animals.
The words Ar-Rahmaan and Ar-Raheem rendered commonly as “Most Gracious, Most Merciful;” (1:2) require careful probing. Allah is Ar-Rahmaan, the bestower of continuous and intense Mercy, which is an attribute unique to the Creator in the Qur’an, whereas in the attribute Ar-Raheem, the creation is also included. About the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) it is said “..to the Believers is he most kind and merciful (Arabic: Raheem).” (9:128). In his footsteps, believers also have to be Raheem towards others.
We are to be conscious that Allah alone is the “Master of the Day of Judgment.” (1:3). Preparation for this day should be our priority for “(It will be) the Day when no soul shall have power (to do) aught for another: For the command, that Day, will be (wholly) with Allah.” (82:19)
In order to prepare for the accountability of that day we have to proclaim: “Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.” (1:4) and then correspondingly petition for the required guidance: “Show us the straight way,” (1:5) The straight way signifies that the Divine path is linear and not cyclical. We make progress, we do not come back to square one. Moreover, the word Sirat (path) also indicates that there is a journey to be made. We must go on a personal quest to be on “The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.” (1:6-7) indicating that there are two choices available to us – either walk on guidance, or choose the path to perdition. Who have the In’aam (grace and bounty) of Allah, His Ghadhab (wrath) and are Ad-Dhualeen (misguided)? The rest of the Qur’an is replete with answers to these questions, demanding a careful perusal to the remaining chapters.
The true purpose of every petition is manifest in its meaning as well as the zeal and fervour with which it is proclaimed. Failing this, our efforts will be merely ceremonial in nature and will signify our non-seriousness when we came forth as petitioners.
Al Fatiha is a supplication which should be made with our heart and soul. We should analyse each and every word in this Surah, delve into their etymology and also seek to understand the themes mentioned in it by cross referencing them with other passages in the Qur’an where such are illuminated and amplified. Sura Al Fatiha is our gateway to the realm of Divine guidance, while the rest of the Qur’an gives us the roadmap to that journey. Its study, memorization, and vocalization is mandatory upon every Muslim.
KASHIF SHAHZADA 