بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah—the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.

“LOVE ALLAH. LOVE THE HOLY PROPHET, LOVE THE QURAN. LOVE YOUR PARENTS, LOVE AL FATIHAH”.

“WE WILL BE LOVED BY ALLAH”

THE MYSTERIES AND THE SECRETS OF SURAH AL-FATIHAH: Part 1

By

Abdul Wahap Bin Abdul Hamid

 

A brief introduction of the author:

 ASSALAMMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH Dear Brother and Sisters in Islam The author is a 67-year-old Malaysian. Professionally, was a Government servant for 41 years 1973 till 2014. Served with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration Department and also a Government Led Company (GLC) related to management of foreign student, for 3 years (2014 till 2018). The author would like to admit that he is not an authority in the religion. The author has done a lot of research to produce this article. References had been made to the U-Tube to obtain authentic information in order to avoid providing false information on this various subject. The author had paid much care and attention to the content of this article to ensure that the information provided is from reliable authorities in this subject. References were made to the speeches of various religious scholars, Ustads to ensure that the information is accurate.

The author would like to share with the readers why the author embarked on this mission i.e. doing research and writing on this subject. A couple of weeks, after the Zohar prayer, he got an inspiration like a whisper, asking him to write on this subject. So immediately the author started to work on it, and this is the product of the research on a very important topic, but sadly taken for granted, by many Muslims. A random survey among some friends on this topic produced a shocking response. Almost 90% of the Muslims were quite oblivious and ignorant on this topic. Their knowledge in this topic so limited and shallow, and something must be done to enlighten our Muslim Brothers and Sisters about this very important surah. The quality of our Salah depends in the surah.  Allah Swt has described this surah as the ‘Pillar of Salah’. So if the ‘pillar’ is weak, the building might collapse!  Likewise, if the Al Fatihah is not recited correctly, it might render the Salah as invalid, and may not be accepted by Allah Swt. This will be serious! So this is proof enough to remind us not to take surah al Fatihah for granted but treat it seriously.

The author would like remind readers that this is a ‘light’ reading material, but with a very big and strong message. The author has not found any article that discusses this topic in depth. A lot of effort has been put in this article to inform the readers information that many had never known before. The author hopes that after reading this article, the reader will feel a positive impact in their lives especially in regard to the understanding and the status of this surah in our lives and in the Holy Quran. Most importantly, the author hopes Allah Swt will bestow His Rahmah and Hidayah to the reader after reading this article. It is the authors sincerest wish and hope that the quality of the reader’s Salah will improve. It is also hoped that the khushuh or solemnity and full submissiveness of their Salah will also improve tremendously in their daily Salah, and be accepted by Allah Swt. Finally, the author would like to make invocation or dua to Allah Swt to reward all those who read this article be rewarded with Jannatul Firdaus….In shaa Allah…. Aamiin Ya rabbal Alamiin

DO WE TRULLY UNDERSTAND SURAH AL FATIHAH? INTRODUCTION:

The highest praise and appreciation to our Glorious Allah Swt for according us the honor to be born as a Muslim, and to belong to the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( p,b.u.h ), the most beloved prophet of Allah Swt. As Muslims, we have been blessed with the Holy Quran, which is it (the Holy Quran) is Allah’s ‘book’ to guide us in every aspect of our life. It is the last and final book of Allah. In the Holy Quran is entrenched a ‘gem or jewel’ in the most powerful surah in the entire Quran i.e Surah Al Fatihah. Much effort has been put into preparing this article. A lot of time, effort and research was carried out the past few months in preparing this article to ensure the reader gets a very good and in depth knowledge of the MOST important surah in the Holy Quran. This surah is the ‘heart of the Holy Quran’, and the ‘pillar of salah’. As such the importance of Surah Al Fatihah simply cannot be overstressed or over emphasized, for us as ummah of Islam!

It is quite disheartening and sad to see most of the Muslims take Surah Al Fatihah for granted. To most, as long they can memories and recite it in their salah, it is good enough and they are contended. Not many really understand the many secrets and mysteries that is hidden in the ‘Mother of Quran’!  It is also disheartening to see most Muslims recite surah Al Fatihah with flaws, and also without knowing the meaning of the whole surah. This can be likened to a ‘parrot being able to speak, but does not know the meaning.

The author feels that it must be made mandatory for every Muslim to not only memorise Surah Al Fatihah, but also know the meaning of each of the seven (7) verses of the surah. This will definitely improve the quality of one’s salah when we understand what one is reciting, and the dynamics that is ‘hidden’ in this powerful surah. One will be fascinated and astonished to find out that Surah Al Fatihah that one has been taking for granted, actually holds many hidden mysteries and secrets, that has never been fully understood by us.

 The objective of writing this article is to disseminate this vital information to as many Muslims as possible throughout the world with the hope of improving the quality of the Muslim ummah, by building a stronger character through a quality salah, as the basis.

 

A SHORT HISTORY OF SURAH AL-FATIHAH:

  Surah Al- Fatihah is the very FIRST surah of the Quran. It consists of 7 verses. These 7 verses are the summary of the entire Al-Quran. This is the secret and power of surah Al- Fatihah. Amazing, isn’t it? Surah Al- Fatihah is the first surah or chapter of the Holy Quran. Why it is called surah Al-Fatihah.? Al Fatihah means ‘The Opening.’ This aptly refers to the ‘opening of the Quran when one wants to recite or read the Quran. As such it is also the opening chapter of the Holy Quran. Some say that this surah is known by 52 names! However, some of the names used to describe Surah Al Fatihah are:-

 vUmmul Kitab or the Mother of the Book

v  Al Hamd because it begins with “ALHAMDULILLAH” praising Allah Swt.

v  Saba’h Mathani- or the 7 most repeated Ayah (verses). Allah Swt has named it as ‘Saba’h Mathani’ in Surah Al Hijr verse number 87.

v  Al Kafiyah- The Sufficient

v  Al Shafiya-The Healer.

v  Al Salah – Allah Swt has referred to Surah Al Fatihah as Al Salah or the prayer. This is because any prayer without Surah Al Fatihah is invalid.

 INCIDENT 1 - AL SHAFIYA (The Healer)

  A companion of Prophet Muhammad (p.u.b.h) was once stung by a scorpion. The companion recited the Surah Al Fatihah over the sting, and the pain was relieved. This action was being noticed by the Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h, and the companion was commended for his action. The Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h), however surprised by his action and asked the companion how he knew that Surah Al Fatihah was a cure or Rukyah. (This can be found in Sahaih Bukhari- A book containing the collection of famous hadiths.)  (Sahih Bukhari Vol.7, Book 71, Hadith 63 )

 INCIDENT 2 - CURE FOR ILLNESS

 Once a group of Sahabah or companions of the Prophet (p.u.b.h) were on a business caravan journey.  They decided to set up camp out-side a village. A female servant approached the caravan. She related that their leader was very sick, as he was poisoned. She asked them if they could help cure their leader. One of his companion agreed to treat their leader. He recited Surah Al Fatihah, and with the grace of Allah, their leader was miraculously recovered. Their leader was so please that he presented them with 30 sheeps and plenty of milk, but the companions refused. They related this incidence to the Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h). The Holy Prophet (p,u.b.h) asked them to take the gift by the leader as it is a reward that is permissible.

INCIDENT 3 - THE GREATEST CHAPTER IN THE QURAN

It was narrated by one of Holy Prophets p.u.b.h) companion by the name of Abu Sa’id Al Ma’alla. He narrated that one day he went to the mosque to perform the prayer. He met the Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h) there, and the Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h) said to him “Shall I not teach you the most superior surah in the entire Quran?”. He said it was surah Al Fatihah- which consists of the 7 most often repeatedly recited verse, and the magnificent Quran which was given to the Holy Prophet (p.u.b.h). This surah is also a very powerful dua or prayer.

Surah Al Fatihah is known by many names, buat a few of the names Allah SWT has used to describe are surah Al Fatihah as “ Sabah Mathani”- meaning the 7 verses most repeatedly recited verses. This name is mentioned in the Al Quran by Allah Swt in surah Al Hijr verse 87.

Surah Al Fatihah is also known as surah Al Hamd because it begins with ‘Alhamdulillah’ glorifying and exhalting Allah SWT.

 Mufti Ismail Ibn Musa Menk, a well known religious scholar in one of his serial lectures delivered in 2020, has described the intrinsic values hidden in Surah Al Fatihah very aptly. He has described the intrinsic value that are ‘hidden’ in Surah Al Fatihah and begins with explaining the value found in “Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem” in the name of Allah the Especially Merciful and Entirely Merciful. Rahman is a broad form of Mercy of Allah Swt, whereas Raheem is the specialised form of Mercy of Allah Swt.

                        In this verse, Allah Swt is actually reminding us of His Mercy. He reminds us not to ever lose hope on His Mercy. When we appreciate and understand the Mercy of Allah, it will fill our heart with hope and the feeling of goodness as well as make us feel happy and contended, when we have understood the Mercy of Allah.

                        This surah actually begins/starts with “Alhamdulillahi robbil ‘aalamin”…which means all praise is due to Allah. Who is Allah? Allah is our Creator and who is in absolute control of the entire existence and sustenance of everything in the universe. HE IS THE WORSHIPPED ONE, THE ONE AND ONLY.

                        Allah, as the Creator describes Himself as “ Rabbul Alameen”. He is telling us that He created everything, and that He is absolute in control of every aspect of the existence of His creation. We understand that eventually all that He created will return to Him.

                        If we understand this fact, then we will surrender to Him. He describes Himself as “Arrohammaannirrohim”, telling us that He created everything, and that He is in absolute control of every aspect of the existence of His creation. Because life is filled with challenges and difficulties. He reminds us twice (once in “Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem”) of His Mercy to remind us of how Merciful He is. Sometimes He gives us even though we did not ask Him. He is so generous. As our Creator, He knows best what to give, and when to give and how much to give. “Maaliki yaumidiin”- the owner of the   Day of Judgement. When we understand the concept of “ The Day of Judgement”- it indicates ACCOUNTABILITY. We will be held accountable for every behavior of ours during our lifetime on this earth, whether good or bad. But, we also heard about His Mercy. So we hope that He will forgive us for all our mistakes when we ask for His Mercy. One of His qualities is that He is the most forgiver, when his slaves ask for forgiveness, as long as one does not commit a major unforgivable crime like associating Him with something else. The most important thing found in Surah Al Fatihah is SUPPLICATION i.e. we ask Him to guide us on the right path. If we fully understand that when we call out to the Almighty Allah Swt for help and assistance, we are acknowledging the fact that He is our Creator. He is in control of every aspect of existence, and also the fact He is the owner of “The Day of Judgement”. If we fully understand this concept in totality, that it is only logical and right to always ask for His guidance to guide us in the right path. We do this supplication repeatedly at least 17 times a day in our obligatory daily 5 times a day prayer. If we do not supplicate in this way, then our daily 5 times a day prayer becomes incomplete or invalid. So have to constantly keep calling out to Allah Swt to reach out for Him. Allah Swt will definitely reach out to those who reach out for Him. If we do not reach out Allah Swt, we will never understand that His in control of every existence.

Note: Do you really know how important Surah Al-Fatihah is? I will discuss this topic in my next segment. I hope you love this piece of information. I will upload second part as soon as possible. The next part is also very interesting and informative. Do you find this article interesting? Did you learn something from this?? Please comment below....  Thank you very much.