09/12/2026
Surah Al-Fatiha — The Opening
Surah Al-Fatiha is the opening chapter of the Qur’an and is recited in every unit of the daily prayer. At its heart, it is a simple and deeply human prayer: Who created us? What should we live for? Where do we turn when we need help? And how do we know we are on the right path?
It begins with gratitude and a reminder of Allah’s endless mercy. It then reminds us that our lives have meaning and that we will ultimately return to our Creator. Most beautifully, it ends with a humble request—not for wealth or worldly success, but for guidance: to recognize what is right, live with goodness, and remain on a path that brings us closer to our Creator.
1. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.”
2. الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.”
3. الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“The Most Compassionate, Most Merciful.”
4. مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
“Master of the Day of Judgment.”
5. إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”
6. اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
“Guide us to the Straight Path.”
7. صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
“The path of those You have blessed—not those who have earned Your anger, nor those who have gone astray.”
In just seven verses, Al-Fatiha takes us from gratitude to mercy, from reflection to responsibility, and finally to guidance—a reminder that no matter who we are or where we are in life, we can always turn to our Creator and ask to be guided toward what is good and true.