Sura AL-Fathiha verses#1-2

[Dr. Jawad]

August 31,2006

Sura 1.

Fatiha, or the Opening Chapter.*

1.In the name of ALLAH, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.**

2. All the praises and thanks be to ALLAH, the Lord***of the Alamin (mankind, jinns, and all that exists).

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*. By universal content it is rightly placed at the beginning of the Quran, as summing up, in marvellously terse and comprehensive words, man's relation to God in contemplation and prayer. In our spiritual contemplation the first words should be those of praise. If the praise is from our innermost being, it brings us into union with God's will. Then our eyes see all good, peace, and lifted up above them in praise. Then we see God's attributes better(verses 2-4). This leads us to the attitude of worship and acknowledgement(verse 5). And finally comes prayer for guidance, and a contemplation of what guidance means(verses 6-7).

God needs no praise, for He is above all praise; He needs no petition, for He knows our needs better than we do ourselves; and His bounties are open without asking, to the righteous and the sinner alike. The prayer is for our own spiritual education, consolation, and confirmation.

**THe Arabic words "Rahman" and "Rahim" translated "Most Gracious" and "Most Merciful" are both intensive forms referring to different aspects of God's attribute of Mercy. The Arabic intensive is more suited to express God's attributes than the superlative degree in English. The latter implies a comparison with other beings, or with other times or places, while there is no being like unto God, and He is independent of Time and Place. Mercy may imply pity, long-suffering, patience, and forgiveness, all of which the sinner needs and God Most Merciful bestows in abundant measure. But there is a Mercy that goes before even the need arises, the Grace which is ever watchful, and flows from God Most Gracious to all His creatures, protecting them, preserving them, guiding them, and leading them to clearer light and higher life. For this reason the attribute Rahman(Most Gracious) is not applied to any but God, but the attribute Rahim(Merciful), is a general term,and may also be applied to Men. To make us contemplate these boundless gifts of God, the formula:"In the name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful":is placed before every Sura of the Quran(except the 9th), and repeated at the beginning of every act by the Muslim who dedicates his life to God, and whose hope is in His Mercy.

Opinion is divided whether the Bismillah should be numbered as a seperate verse or not. It is unanimously agreed that it is a part of the Quran. Therefore it is better to give it an independent number in the first Sura. For subsequent Suras it is treated as an introduction or head-line, and therefore not numbered

***The Arabic word Rabb, usually translated Lord, has also the meaning of cherishing, sustaining, bringing to maturity. God cares for all the worlds He has created. It means the One and Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher, and Giver of Security,etc. Rabb is also one of the names of ALLAH.

Please note:

The bold letters are the Verses from the Holy Quran.
The asterix(*,**,***) mean that they are going to be interpreted.

[QuranStudy]

Excellent post. Keep it coming.

[Ummu Sufyaan]

:sl:
brother dr jawad, no offence, can you post up say...weekly. its just abit much to red all at once.
jazakallahu khiar
:sl: