سورة الفاتحة, Sūratu al-Fātihah, "The Opening" is the first chapter of the Muslim holybook, the Qur'an. It has seven verses that form a prayer for God's guidance and stress the lordship and mercy of God. This chapter has a special role in daily prayers, being recited at the start of each unit of prayer.
Muslims believe that the Qur'an is a revelation from God in the Arabic language. Translations into other languages are considered by many to be merely superficial "interpretations" of the meanings and not authentic versions of the Qur'an.
Muslims believe that the Qur'an is a revelation from God in the Arabic language. Translations into other languages are considered by many to be merely superficial "interpretations" of the meanings and not authentic versions of the Qur'an.
Interpretation of Sūratu al-Fātihah, "The Opening":
The Arabic text with transliteration and translation in English is as follows: [Qur'an 1:1].
1:1 بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيم
Bismillāhi r-raHmāni r-raHīm
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful:
1:2 الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِين
Al Hamdu lillāhi rabbi l-'ālamīn
All Praises to God, Lord/Cherisher/Sustainer of the Universe.
1:3 الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيم
Ar raHmāni r-raHīm
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
1:4 مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّين
Māliki yawmi d-dīn
Sovereign of the Day of Judgment.
1:5 إِيَّاك نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِين
Iyyāka na'budu wa iyyāka nasta'īn
YOU alone we worship, and YOU alone we ask for help
1:6 اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ
Ihdinā S-SirāT al-mustaqīm
Guide us to the true path;
1:7 صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّين
SirāT al-lathīna an'amta 'alayhim ġayril maġDūbi 'alayhim walāD Dāllīn
The path of those on whom YOU have bestowed your favor, not of those who have earned YOUR anger, nor of those who go astray.
