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This surah is recited in every prayer of worship. Thus, just in the five obligatory daily prayers, its words are uttered 17 times a day.

Surah al-Fatihah1

1. In the name of Allah,2 the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.3

2. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord4 of the worlds –

3. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

4. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.5

5. It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

6. Guide us to the straight path –

7. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

1Al-Fatiha: The Opening (of the Qur’an). Note: Surah titles are not an integral part of the Qur’an. A distinguishing word in a particular surah or a word defining its subject matter often became a common means of identification among the Prophet’s companions and later scholars. Although some names, such as al-Fatihah, were used by the Prophet in reference to a particular surah, they were not specifically designated by him as titles.

2Allah is a proper name belonging only to the one Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the heaven and the earth and all that is within them, the Eternal and Absolute, to whom alone all worship is due.

3Ar-Rahman and ar-Raheem are two names of Allah derived from the word “rahma” (mercy). In Arabic grammar both are intensive forms of “merciful” (i.e., extremely merciful). A complimentary and comprehensive meaning is intened by using both together.

Rahman is used only to describe Allah, while raheem might be used to describe a person as well. The Prophet was described in the Quran as raheem. Rahman is above the human level (i.e., intensely merciful). Since one usually understands intensity to be something of short duration, Allah describes Himself also as raheem (i.e., continually merciful).

Rahman also carries a wider meaning – merciful to all creation. Justice is part of this mercy. Raheem includes the concept of speciality – especially and specifically merciful to the believers. Forgiveness is a part of this mercy. (See al-Qurtubi’s al-Jami’ul Ahkamil-Qur’an, pp. 103-107.)

4When referring to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), the Arabic term “rabb” (translated as “Lord”) includes all of the following meanings: “owner, master, ruler, controller, sustainer, provider, guardian and caretaker.”

5i.e., repayment and compensation for whatever was earned of good or evil during life on this earth.

The Qur’an: Arabic Text with Corresponding English Meanings, 1997, Saheeh International, Abul-Qasim Publishing House, p.1