Essence of the Holy Qur’an — Page 1
1 Chapter 1 Al-F a ti h ah (Revealed before Hijrah) Place and Time of Revelation As reported by many traditionalists, the whole of this S u rah was revealed at Mecca, and from the very beginning formed part of the Muslim Prayer. The S u rah has been referred to in the Qur’ a nic verse, We have indeed given thee the seven oft-repeated verses and the great Qur’ a n (15:88), which was admittedly revealed at Mecca. According to some reports, the S u rah was also revealed a second time at Medina. The time of its first revelation, however, may be placed very early in the Prophet’s ministry. Names of the S u rah and their Significance The best-known title of this short S u rah, i. e. F a ti h atul-Kit a b, (Opening Chapter of the Book) is reported on the authority of several reliable traditionalists (Tirmidh i & Muslim). The title was later abbreviated into S u ratul-F a ti h ah, or simply Al-F a ti h ah. The S u rah is known by quite a number of names, the following ten are more authentic, viz. Al-F a ti h ah, A s - S al a t, Al- H amd, Ummul-Qur’ a n, Al-Qur’ a nul-‘A i m, As-Sab‘ul-Math a n i , Ummul- Kit a b, Ash-Shif a ’, Ar-Ruqayyah and Al-Kanz. These names throw a flood of light upon the extensive import of the S u rah. The name F a ti h atul-Kit a b (Opening Chapter of the Book) signifies that the S u rah , having been placed in the beginning, serves as a key to the whole subject-matter of the Qur’ a n. A s - S al a t (The Prayer) signifies that it forms a complete and perfect prayer and constitutes an integral part of the institutional Prayers of Islam. Al- H amd (The Praise) signifies that the S u rah brings to light the lofty purpose of man’s creation and teaches that the relation of God to man is one of grace and mercy. Ummul-Qur’ a n (Mother of the Qur’ a n) signifies that the S u rah forms an epitome of the whole of the Qur’ a n, containing in a nutshell all the knowledge that has a bearing on man’s moral and spiritual development. Al-Qur’ a nul-‘A i m (The Great Qur’ a n) signifies that although the S u rah is known as Ummul-Kit a b and Ummul-Qur’ a n, it nevertheless forms part of the Holy Book and is not separate from it, as mistakenly considered by some. As-Sab‘ul-Math a n i (The Oft-repeated Seven Verses) signifies that the seven short verses of the Chapter virtually fulfil all the spiritual needs of man. It also signifies that the Chapter must be repeated in every Rak‘at of Prayer. Ummul- Kit a b (Mother of the Book) signifies that the prayer contained in the Chapter was the cause of the revelation of the Qur’ a nic Dispensation. Ash-Shif a ’ (The Cure) signifies that it provides remedy for all the legitimate doubts and