Interpretation of Surat Al-Fatihah in full
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (1)
Surat Al-Fatihah. This surah is called Al-Fatihah because it opens the Noble Qur'an. It is also called Al-Mathani because it is recited in every rak'ah. It has other names. Begin reading the Qur'an in the name of God, seeking His help. "Allah" refers to the Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, who is truly worshipped alone. It is the most specific of God's names, and no one else is called by it. "Al-Rahman" refers to the One with universal mercy, whose mercy encompasses all of creation. "Al-Raheem" refers to the believers. These are two of God's names, affirming God's attribute of mercy, as befits His Majesty. Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds (2)
(Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds) Praise be to God for His attributes, all of which are descriptions of perfection, and for His blessings, both apparent and hidden, both religious and worldly. It includes a command to His servants to praise Him, for He alone is deserving of it. He, glory be to Him, is the Creator of creation, the One who takes care of their affairs, and the One who nurtures all of His creation with His blessings, and His friends with faith and righteous deeds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful (3)
(The Most Gracious) whose mercy encompasses all of creation. (The Most Merciful) to the believers. These are two of God's names.
(Owner of the Day of Judgment) (4)
He, glory be to Him, is the only Owner of the Day of Resurrection, which is the Day of Recompense for deeds. A Muslim's recitation of this verse in every unit of prayer is a reminder of the Last Day, an exhortation to prepare for it through righteous deeds, and an encouragement to refrain from sins and evil deeds.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help (5)
We single You out for worship, and we seek Your help in all our affairs. All authority is in Your hands, and no one possesses even the weight of an atom. This verse is evidence that a servant is not permitted to devote any form of worship, such as supplication, seeking help, sacrifice, or circumambulation, except to God alone. It contains healing for hearts from the disease of attachment to other than God, and from the diseases of hypocrisy, self-admiration, and arrogance. Guide us to the straight path (6)
Guide us, direct us, and guide us to the straight path, and keep us steadfast on it until we meet You. This path is Islam, the clear path leading to God's pleasure and Paradise, which was indicated by the Seal of His Messengers and Prophets, Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace. There is no path to happiness for a servant except by adhering to it.
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray (7)
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. They are the people of guidance and righteousness. Do not make us among those who follow the path of those who have incurred Your wrath, those who knew the truth but did not act upon it—the Jews and those like them—or those who have gone astray, those who were not guided and have strayed from the path—the Christians and those who followed their way. This supplication is a cure for the Muslim heart from the disease of ingratitude, ignorance and misguidance, and it is evidence that the greatest blessing of all is the blessing of Islam. Whoever knows the truth and follows it is more deserving of the straight path. There is no doubt that the companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, are the people most deserving of this after the prophets, peace be upon them. The verse indicates their virtue and great status, may Allah be pleased with them. It is recommended for the reciter to say in prayer after reciting Al-Fatihah: “Ameen,” which means: “O Allah, answer.” Scholars agree that it is not a verse from Al-Fatihah; that is why they unanimously agreed not to write it in copies of the Qur’an.
