IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE

“WHEN YOU RECITE THE QURAN, SEEK THE PROTECTION OF ALLAH FROM SATAN, THE REJECTED ONE *   HE HAS NO POWER OVER THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEIR LORD *   BUT HIS POWER IS OVER THOSE WHO TAKE HIM FOR AN ALLY AND THOSE WHO ASSOCIATE PARTNERS WITH ALLAH” (S: 16 A: 98-100)

This is a clear command from Allah the Highest, to seek his protection from Satan when we are about to recite the Quran.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, used to say before the Salah: “Allah the Greatest three times, Alhamdlellah (Praise and thanks to Allah) three times and there is no God other than Allah three times, then “I seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one”.  (A: 3; 50 & D: Salah; 22 & T: Mawaqeet; 65)

We need to seek Allah’s protection from Satan before reciting the Quran whether in Salah or at other times.  So that our thoughts and hearts will be totally with Allah, for Satan interferes with our thoughts.

                                   ALFATEHA

1-    IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL THE COMPASSIONATE.

2-    GRATITUDE AND PRAISE TO ALLAH THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS.

3-    THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE.

4-    THE LORD (OR KING) OF THE DAY OF THE FAITH (DAY OF JUDGEMENT).

5-    ONLY YOU WE WORSHIP AND ONLY YOU WE SEEK FOR HELP.

6-    GUIDE US TO THE STRAIGHT PATH.

7-    THE PATH OF THOSE UPON WHOM YOU BESTOWED YOUR BOUNTY, NEITHER THOSE WHO INCURE YOUR WROTH, NOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING ASTRAY.

Alfateha is the first Sorah one meets in the Quran.  It should be recited at least 17 times daily for it should be recited in every Rakaa in every Salah.  Without reciting the Fateha the Salah is not complete.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: ‘Any Salah in which the Fateha of the Book is not recited, it is incomplete, it is incomplete”.  (Ma: Iqamah; 11 & a: 2; 241 & T: Mawaqeet; 69)

SORAH AL FATEHA HAS MANY NAMES:

Here are the names of Sorah Alfateha;

1-    ALFATEHA:  Meaning the opening.  It has also been called “Fateha Alkitab” meaning the opening of the book (the Quran).

2-    ALHAMD:  Meaning thanks and praise to Allah. Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, also used to call it Alhamd.

3-    OM ALKITAB:  Meaning the mother of the book and OM ALQURAN meaning the mother of the Quran. 

4-    Al SABAA ALMATHANI: Meaning the seven good and great verses.  Allah the Highest said  “We have given you seven good and great verses and the great Quran”  (S:15 A:87)

5-     ALRAQIAH, meaning the cure.

Abu Saead El-Khodary reported that he was traveling with other Muslims, when they stopped by a town.  A girl slave came to tell them that the town’s chief was stung (by a snake or scorpion).  Abu Saead went to see him and blessed him with the mother of the book following which the chief recovered.  He gave Abu Saead 30 sheep and milk for a reward.  Abu Saead’s companions thought that he should not have taken reward for reciting the Quran.  When they went back to Medina, they told Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon, him who said to Abu Saead: “How did you know it is a Raqiah (Cure), divide the gift between you and give me a share”.   (B: Igarah; 16 & a: 3; 2 & D: Ted; 19)

Allah’s messenger’s share was the fund where Zakah and charities went, from which it was spent on the poor, orphans, defense etc.

      THE STATUS OF THE FATEHA IN THE QURAN

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, told us that Al-Fateha is the greatest Sorah in the Quran.  It was reported that a man called Abe Saead Ibn AlMeali said: “While I was praying, Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, called me, and I did not answer him.  I finished praying and went to him, he said to me:”What prevented you from answering me?” I said: “Allah’s messenger, I was praying”.  He said: “Did Allah the Exalted in Power and the Majestic not say “YOU WHO BELIEVE, ANSWER ALLAH’S MESSENGER WHEN HE CALLS YOU TO WHAT GIVES YOU LIFE”.  “I will teach you the greatest Sorah in the Quran before I leave the mosque”.  Later, when he went to go out, I said to him: “Allah’s messenger, what about what you said to me?”  He said: “It is ‘GRATITUDE AND PRAISE TO ALLAH THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS’. It is the seven good and great verses I was given and it is the Great Quran’”.  (N: Iftetah; 26 & D: Qeraah; 26 & B: Fadael al Quran; 9)

Alfateha and the last 2 Aiahs of Sorah El-Baqarah have great status in the Quran.  Ibn Abas reported: “While Gabriel was with Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, Gabriel heard the sound of a door opening, he raised his head and said: “This is a door in heaven opened today, it has never been open before, and through it an angel came down to the Earth, he never came down before, and the angel said : ‘ Al Salamo Alikom, I give you glade tidings about 2 lights you were given, were not given to any prophet before you, Al Fateha of the Book and the End of Sorah Al Baqarah”.  (M: Mosafreen; 254 & N: Iftetah; 25)

                         Al Fateha is a Prayer and Do, AA

Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: Allah the Highest said:”I divided the Salah between Me and My slave into 2 and I will give My slave what he asks.  When My slave says “GRATITUDE AND PRAISE TO ALLAH THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS”, Allah the Highest says: “My slave thanked me”.  And when he says: “THE MOST MERCIFUL AND THE COMPASSIONATE”, Allah the Highest says: “My slave praised Me”.  When he says: “THE LORD OF THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT”, Allah the Highest says: “My slave glorified me”.  When he says: “ONLY YOU WE WORSHIP AND ONLY YOU WE SEEKFOR HELP”, Allah the Highest says: “This is between Me and My slave and My slave will have what he asks for”. When he says:”GUIDE US TO THE STRAIGHT PATH, THE PATH OF THOSE UPON WHOM YOU BESTOW YOUR GRACE, NEITHER THOSE WHO INCURE YOUR WROTH, NOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING ASTRAY”.  Allah the Highest says, this is for My slave and My slave will have what he asked for”.  (M: Salah; 38 & T: Tafseer Sorah1, 1 & N: Iftetah, 23 & Mal: Nedaa; 39 & A: 2; 285)

Now let us look at the meanings of the Aiahs of Al-Fateha.

1-    IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE.

This is an Aiah we recite before reciting the Quran and at the beginning of a Sorah, but is not a part of the Sorah, except Sorah Al-Fateha of which it is one of its Seven Aiahs.

Also we should start every deed we perform with the name of Allah.  It was reported that Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, used to say “in the name of Allah before he eats when food or drink is put in front of him”.  (A: 5; 375)

Even when one is about to have marital relationship with his wife, one should remember the name of Allah. Allah’s messenger prayer and peace upon him said: “If one of you says when he approaches his wife, ‘in the name of Allah, O Allah, protect us from Satan, and protect what You give us from Satan, if they were meant to have a child from this, Satan can never do it harm”.  (B: Nikah; 66)

Also this Aiah contain the three most frequently used of the 99 good names of Allah in the Quran; Allah, The Most Merciful and The Compassionate.  These 99 names are descriptions of the Character of Allah the Highest. The aspects of Allah’s Character He mentions more often, are the ones He wishes to tell us more often, enforcing that this aspect is that much more predominant. 

Allah the Highest says “SAY; TO WHO BELONGS WHAT IS IN THE HEAVENS AND WHAT IS IN THE EARTH? SAY: TO ALLAH, HE INSCRIBED MERCY (as a duty) FOR HIMSELF”.           (S: 6 A: 12)

And Allah the Highest also says: “WHEN THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN OUR AIAHS COME TO YOU SAY: PEACE BE UPON YOU, YOUR LORD HAS INSCRIBED MERCY FOR HIMSELF, SHOULD ONE OF YOU DO WRONG OUT OF IGNORANCE, THEN REPENTS AND MAKE AMEND, ALLAH IS MOST FORGIVING AND COMPASSIONATE”  (S:6 A:54)

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said:  “When Allah created the creation, He wrote in a book, it is with Him above the Throne “My Mercy overcomes My Anger”.  (M: Tawba; 14-16 & Ma: Zohd; 35 & A: 2,142)

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, explained and clarified the magnitude of Allah’s Mercy saying: “Allah divided Mercy into 100 parts, He kept 99 to Himself and sent earth one part.  From this part all the creation gets its mercy, like a horse lifting its hoof from its offspring so as not to do it harm.  (B: Adab; 19 & M: Tawbah; 17-19 & T: Daawat; 99 &Ma: Zohd; 35)

In another Hadith, where Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, draws an analogy of the Mercy of Allah the Highest to His slaves.  Omar Ibn El-Khatab reported:  The spoils of war were brought to Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, and there was a woman among the captives who would take any of the children of the captives, cuddle and breast feed them.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Do you think this woman will put her own child in fire?”  We said: “No by Allah, not if she can save him”.  Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “Allah is more merciful to his slaves than she is to her child:  (B: Abad; 18 & M: Tawba & D: Ganaiz; 1 & Ma: Zohd, 35)

The Most Merciful and the Compassionate, is also repeated in the 3^rd Aiah of Alfateha that is twice in 7 Aiahs.  Allah the Highest mentions and reminds us more of his Mercy and Compassion than of His Wroth and Anger.  We should remember however that His Mercy and Compassion is reserved for the Believers not the Disbelievers.

2-    GRATITUDE AND PRAISE TO ALLAH THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS. 

This Aiah is an expression of gratitude and praise to Allah the Highest, then stating that Allah the Highest is the Lord of all the worlds, those we see and those we do not see those we know and those we do not know.

As for the gratitude which is more than thanks, Allah the Highest is teaching us to thank him.  When we recite this Aiah we express gratitude to Allah the Highest more than 17 times every day.   Expressing thanks and gratitude to Allah the Highest is one of the best Dawaa to say to Allah the Highest.  Allah the Highest  said “THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND DID GOOD DEED, THEIR LORD GUIDES THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR BELIEF, RIVERS FLOWING UNDER THEM IN THE GARDENS OF DELIGHTS  *  THEIR DAWAA INCLUDES PRAISING AND EXALTING ALLAH AND THEIR GREETING HAS PEACE AND THE END OF THEIR DAWAA IS GRATITUDE AND PRAISE TO ALLAH THE LORD OR ALL WORLDS”.  (S: 10 A: 10)

Allah’s messenger, prayer and peace upon him, said: “The best Zikr is ‘there is no God other than Allah and the best Dawaa is Gratitude and Praise is to Allah (Alhamdo le Allah).  (Ma: Adab; 55)

Indeed it is a great bounty from Allah the Highest upon His slaves to be inspired and to remember to express our thanks to Him.  Allah the Highest told us in the Quran about His prophet Soliman, peace be upon him, who said “MY LORD INSPIRE ME TO THANK YOU FOR THE BOUNTIES YOU BESTOWED UPON ME AND MY PARENTS”.  (S: 27 A: 19)

It is a sign that a good believer has reached maturity to thank Allah the Highest  “WHEN HE REACHES THE AGE OF FULL STRENGTH AND REACHES FORTY YEARS HE SAYS: ‘MY LORD INSPIRE ME TO THANK YOU FOR THE  BOUNTIES YOU BESTOWED UPON ME AND MY PARENTS ………”  (S: 46 A: 15)

Thanking Allah the Highest and expressing gratitude to him are signs that one recognizes that the bounties that he has, come from Allah, and feeling grateful for them.  Allah the Highest will then be, more generous to those who recognize His bounties and Him as the giver of all bounties and thank Him for them  “AND YOU LORD DECREED; IF YOU GIVE THANKS I WILL BESTOW MORE UPON YOU, BUT IF YOU DENY MY FAVOURS MY PUNISHMENT IS SEVERE”  (S14  A:7)

Being inspired to express gratitude to Allah the Highest is part of the Wisdom which Allah the Highest bestows upon some of His slaves, “(ALLAH) GRANTS THE WISDOM TO WHOM HE WILLS.  INDEED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE WISDOM, THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF GOODNESS, ONLY THOSE OF SOUND MINDS WILL REMEMBER THIS” (S: 2 A: 269)

“THE LORD OF ALL THE WORLDS”

All the worlds, is an indication that there are very many worlds.  On earth there are many worlds, of humans, animals, birds, plants, bacteria, fungus, viruses, sea creatures and insects etc.   There are thousands of species, and we discover more every day. Of course there are also the worlds of Human, Jinn, Angles and Spirits.  Allah the highest said about all these living worlds  “AND ALL CREATURES WALKING THE EARTH OR A BIRD FLYING WITH IT’S WINGS ARE  BUT NATIONS LIKE YOU”.  (S: 6 A: 38)

Our planet Earth is but a small particle in the Universe which we can see with our present instruments.  As science advances we can see more and further.   The Universe consists of Billions of Galaxies, each containing Millions or Billions of stars (suns).  Some of them have Planets and some do not, and some planets have moons and some do not.  The spaces in this vast universe are measured in distance the light travels in a second, a minute or years.  Knowing that light travels at the speed of 300 000 Km in a second, and it takes light about 8.5 minutes to travel from the sun to earth, tells us that the distance from earth to the sun is 8.5 x 60 X 300 00 = 153 million km.

Many of the galaxies are billions of light years away from Earth.  That is, the distance between us and them is unimaginable.  If it takes billions of years for light and other radiation to travel to us from distant suns and galaxies, then what we see of them is not the present but very distant past.  We do not really know if they still exist or not and in what state, and their current state or position.  What we see in the universe is not what is happening, but what happened very long time ago.  Hence Allah the Highest used the position of the stars for His Oath, telling us that only if we know we will know that it is a great oath.  “BUT I WILL NOT MAKE AN OATH BY THE POSITION OF THE STARS * IT IS A GREAT OATH, IF YOU KNOW”.  (S: 56 A: 75, 76)

These are some of the worlds we know, and there are others we do not know.  Allah the Highest is the Lord of all of them.  We should remember that the Lord is the one who runs and looks after them and is in charge of them.

3-    THE MOST MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE.

Repeating a statement is a way of reaffirming the statement and its message.  Allah the Highest repeated the meaning of  a verse, or repeated it literally, sometimes close to each other as in Alfateha and in Sorah AlEnshera “ INDEED WITH DIFFICULTIES COMES EASE *  INDEED WITH DIFFICULTY COMES EASE”  (S:94 A:5&6)