Aoozu Billahi as-Samee al-Aleemi minash Shaitanir Rajeem
Bismillah,…, Alhamdulillahi wahdah was salaatu was salaamu ala man la nabiya ba’adah
Rabbish sharah li sadri wa yassirli amri wahlul uqdatam min lisaani yafqahu qauli
As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
In our last session we completed the Final Part of the Introduction to the Quran by explaining the Day to Day Issues and the Quran.
Today, 19-August-2026 corresponding to 6-Rabi’ al-Awwal-1448 Hijri, we will talk about the first chapter of the Quran, from Tafseer Ibn Kathir.
The tafsir of Surah al-Fatiha, which was revealed in Makkah
Introduction to Surah al-Fatiha
Surah al-Fatiha is the first surah or the first chapter of the Holy Quran, meaning that once you open the Quran, we see Surah al-Fatiha.
- This was the first surah to be revealed in one shot, full surah in one wahi, as recorded by Sheikh Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi in his Tafseer, Tafheem al-Quran.[1]
- It was the fifth wahi that was revealed to Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and if we look at the chronological order of Surahs.[2]
Chronological Order of Surahs
| Order | Surah Name | Number | Type | Notes |
| 1 | al-Alaq | 96 | Meccan | |
| 2 | al-Qalam | 68 | Meccan | Except 17-33 and 48-50 from Medina |
| 3 | al-Muzzammil | 73 | Meccan | Except 10, 11 and 20 from Medina |
| 4 | al-Muddaththir | 74 | Meccan | |
| 5 | al-Faatiha | 1 | Meccan | Complete Surah was revealed |
The word Fatiha comes from the root (ف ت ح) which means to open, explain, disclose, or conquer something, or to begin something, therefore, this Surah is also known as Fatihatul Kitab meaning the opening of the book,[3] because with this Surah the Quran begins. Usually, when Arabs loved something, they would give many names to it, for example:
- They loved Horses – so in the Arabic language we find many names for horses; Hisan, Faras, Fursan, Jawad, Khail (similar to al-Khail Road in UAE) and in the Holy Quran – we find Khail and Safinaat.
- Arabs also loved Camels, it was their life and without which they couldn’t survive in the desert – so in the Arabic language we fine; Budna, Jamal, Ba’eer, Bahira, Saiba, Wasila, Hami, Naqatun, Ibl, Ishaar and in the Holy Quran – we find Budna, Jamal, Ba’eer, Bahira, Saiba, Wasila, Hami, Naqatun, Ibl, Ishaar. How many words came in the Quran? 10 different words the Quran mentions about Camels.
- Likewise, there are 12-15 words in the Arabic language for the word Sword, and how many words appeared in the Holy Quran about Sword, can you guess? – zero.
- This becomes a very good argument for those people who say, Islam spread by the sword, so the word should have been mentioned several hundred times, but it doesn’t.
- So, in the same fashion, Surah al-Fatiha has been given many names due to its honor and significance it holds;
- al-Fatiha
- Fatihatul Kitab
- Umm al-Kitab,
- Umm al-Quran,
- Surah al-Hamd, Chapter of Praise
- as-Salah,
- Sab’a min al-Mathani,
- al-Shifa,1
- al-Shafiyah
- al-Kaafiyah[4]
- Imam al-Qurtubi also mentions al-Quran al-Azeem and says that it is named as such because it contains the entire sciences of the Quran.
- al-Ruqya,
- al-Asaas,
- al-Waafiyah – because it cannot be split into two, particularly while reciting in salah.[5]
- Imam as-Suyuti has recorded names such as, Surah ad-Dua,
- Surah ash-Shukr, Chapter of Gratitude
- Surah al-Hmad al-Ula, The First Chapter of Praise
- Sura Al-Hamd Al-Quswa, The Supreme Chapter of Praise,
- Al-Waqi‘ah, The Preventer.[6]
- These are 19 names of Surah al-Fatiha, I could find more than this. Wallahu Alam.
- In a hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) did not reveal in the Tawrah or the Injil anything like Umm Al-Quran (Al-Fatihah), which is (Sab’a min al-Mathani) the seven oft-recited, and (Allah said) it is divided between Myself and My slave, and My slave will have what he asked for.[7]
- In a hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) called Surah al-Fatiha the most superior surah in the Holy Quran.[8]
- The importance of Surah al-Fatiha is such that if one does not recite it in salah, the prayer is incomplete,[9] except when you are behind an imam.[10]
- There is no difference of opinion among scholars that for Sunnah or Nafl prayers, which each person prays individually, al-Fatiha has to be recited in every rakah. If we do not recite it in any rakah then the salah is incomplete.
- But for Fard Salah, there is a difference of opinion among scholars, whether or not it should be recited in every rakah. Let us put the facts together.
- The Quran says in Surah al-A’raf Verse 204;
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
- And when the Quran is recited listen to it and be silent that you may be dealt with mercifully.[11]
- This instruction or any instruction will not be repeated every time another instruction is being given, it must be remembered and understood.
- So, whether the Quran is being recited in Salah or outside Salah, loudly, then you have to listen to it carefully and silently.
- In a hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) when the Imam recites, then listen attentively….[12]
- So, there is one group who says, behind the imam whether the imam is reciting loudly or not, the musalli does not have to recite anything. This is one point of view.
- In another hadith in Jami at-Tirmidhi, Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) prayed the Subah (Fajr) prayer, and he had difficulty with the recitation, after finishing he turned and asked, I think you are reciting behind your Imam? We said: Yes, so Rasoolullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Do not do that, except for Umm al-Kitab, for there is no Salat for one who does not recite it.[13]
- Then the hadith, where Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) responds to the recitation of Surah al-Fatiha and the recommendation of Sahaba to recite it to your self, so based on this, there is another group who says, you have to recite Surah al-Fatiha whether the Imam is reciting loudly or not.
- There could be a moderate way, where both are respected, so when the imam is reciting loudly, listen to it attentively as per the instruction of the Quran and ar-Rasool (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and when the imam is not reciting loudly, then you must recite surah al-Fatiha to yourself, based on other instructions and the importance of reciting surah al-Fatiha.
- Wallahu Alam.
Here we will end our today’s session, and In the next session all the attendees are required to prepare what they understand or don’t understand about Surah al-Fatiha starting with Auzoo Billah, then Bismillah and the seven verses of al-Fatiha, each person will be given 5-8 minutes to present their points; In Sha Allah.
Wa aakhirud dawaana anil hamdulillahi Rabbil Alameen,
Allahumma Salli, wa Sallim, wa Barik Ala Nabiyyina Muhammad, wa ala aalihi, wa sahbihi wa barik wa sallim.
References
[1] Wikipedia.com, Surah Al Fatiha, Al-Fatiha – Wikipedia
[2] Chronological order of revelation of surahs, Revelation Order – Tanzil Documents
[3] It was narrated that from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Every prayer in which Fatihatil-Kitab (the Opening of the Book) is not recited, it is deficient, it is deficient.”
حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ السُّكَيْنِ، حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ السَّلْعِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنٌ الْمُعَلِّمُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ “ كُلُّ صَلاَةٍ لاَ يُقْرَأُ فِيهَا بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ ” .
Grade: Hasan | Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 841
[4] Khaleel, Adil Mohammad. Awwal Marrah Atadabbaru al-Quran. Kuwait, Integrated Advertising Solutions, 2017. Page: 21
[5] al-Qurtubi, provides 12 names. Source: Names of Al-Faatihah and its importance
[6] as-Suyuti, provides 20 names. Source: Why Does Sura Fatiha Have Other Names, and What Do They Mean? – SeekersGuidance
[7] Reference: Sunan an-Nasa’i 914 | Vol. 2, Book 11, Hadith 915 | Grade: Hasan | https://sunnah.com/nasai:914
It was narrated that Ubayy bin Ka’b said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, did not reveal in the Tawrah or the Injil anything like Umm Al-Quran (Al-Fatihah), which is the seven oft-recited, and (Allah said) it is divided between Myself and My slave will have what he asked for.'”
أَخْبَرَنَا الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَلاَ فِي الإِنْجِيلِ مِثْلَ أُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ وَهِيَ السَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي وَهِيَ مَقْسُومَةٌ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ ” .
[8] Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Mu’alla: While I was praying, the Prophet (ﷺ) called me but I did not respond to his call. Later I said, “O Allah’s Apostle! I was praying.” He said, “Didn’t Allah say: ‘O you who believe! Give your response to Allah (by obeying Him) and to His Apostle when he calls you’?” (8.24) He then said, “Shall I not teach you the most superior Surah in the Qur’an?” He said, ‘(It is), ‘Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. ‘ (i.e., Surat Al-Fatiha) which consists of seven repeatedly recited Verses and the Magnificent Qur’an which was given to me.”
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي خُبَيْبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ حَفْصِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُعَلَّى، قَالَ كُنْتُ أُصَلِّي فَدَعَانِي النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمْ أُجِبْهُ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي كُنْتُ أُصَلِّي. قَالَ ” أَلَمْ يَقُلِ اللَّهُ {اسْتَجِيبُوا لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ} ثُمَّ قَالَ أَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكَ أَعْظَمَ سُورَةٍ فِي الْقُرْآنِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَخْرُجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ ”. فَأَخَذَ بِيَدِي فَلَمَّا أَرَدْنَا أَنْ نَخْرُجَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ قُلْتَ لأُعَلِّمَنَّكَ أَعْظَمَ سُورَةٍ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ. قَالَ ”{الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ} هِيَ السَّبْعُ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنُ الْعَظِيمُ الَّذِي أُوتِيتُهُ ”.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5006
[9] Reference: Sahih Muslim 394b | Book 4, Hadith 772 | https://sunnah.com/muslim:394b
Ubada b. as-Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: He who does not recite Umm al-Qur’an is not credited with having observed the prayer.
حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي مَحْمُودُ بْنُ الرَّبِيعِ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْتَرِئْ بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ ” .
[10] Reference: Muwatta Malik | Book 3, Hadith 40 | https://sunnah.com/malik/3/40
Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu Nuaym Wahb ibn Kaysan that he heard Jabir ibn Abdullah say, “Someone who prays a raka without reciting the umm al-Qur’an in it has not done the prayer except behind an imam.”
وَحَدَّثَنِي عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي نُعَيْمٍ، وَهْبِ بْنِ كَيْسَانَ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ مَنْ صَلَّى رَكْعَةً لَمْ يَقْرَأْ فِيهَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَلَمْ يُصَلِّ إِلاَّ وَرَاءَ الإِمَامِ .
[12] It was narrated that Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari said: “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘When the Imam recites, then listen attentively, and if he is sitting (in the prayer) then the first remembrance that anyone of you recites should be the Tashahhud.’”
حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ مُوسَى الْقَطَّانُ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ التَّيْمِيِّ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي غَلاَّبٍ، عَنْ حِطَّانَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الرَّقَاشِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ “ إِذَا قَرَأَ الإِمَامُ فَأَنْصِتُوا فَإِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْقَعْدَةِ فَلْيَكُنْ أَوَّلَ ذِكْرِ أَحَدِكُمُ التَّشَهُّدُ ” .
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam) | Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 847
[13] Ubadah bin As-Samit narrated: “Allah’s Messenger prayed the Subh prayer, and he had difficulty with the recitation. When turned (after finishing) he said: ‘I think that you are reciting behind your Imam?'” He said: “We said: ‘Yes, Messenger of Allah, by Allah!’ He said: ‘Do not do that, except for Umm Al-Kitab, for there is no Salat for one who does not recite it.'”
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، قَالَ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الصُّبْحَ فَثَقُلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْقِرَاءَةُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ “ إِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَ وَرَاءَ إِمَامِكُمْ ” . قَالَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِي وَاللَّهِ . قَالَ ” فَلاَ تَفْعَلُوا إِلاَّ بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِهَا ” . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَعَائِشَةَ وَأَنَسٍ وَأَبِي قَتَادَةَ وَعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ عُبَادَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ . وَرَوَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ الزُّهْرِيُّ عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ ” . قَالَ وَهَذَا أَصَحُّ . وَالْعَمَلُ عَلَى هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ فِي الْقِرَاءَةِ خَلْفَ الإِمَامِ عِنْدَ أَكْثَرِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالتَّابِعِينَ وَهُوَ قَوْلُ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ وَابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ وَالشَّافِعِيِّ وَأَحْمَدَ وَإِسْحَاقَ يَرَوْنَ الْقِرَاءَةَ خَلْفَ الإِمَامِ .
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam) | Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 311