The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page 2
Ummul-Kitāb (Mother of the Book) signifies that the prayer contained in the chapter has been the cause of the revelation of the Quranic dispensation. Ash-Shifā' (the Cure) signifies that it provides remedy for all doubts and misgivings. Ar-Ruqiyyah (the Charm) signifies that the chapter is not only a prayer to ward off disease but also provides protection against the Satan and his followers and strengthens the heart of man against them. Al-Kanz (the Treasure) signifies that the chapter is an unlimited treasure of knowledge. Al-Fātiḥah referred to in a Prophecy of the New Testament The best-known name of the chapter, however, is Al-Fatihah. It is interesting to note that this very name occurs in a New Testament prophecy. In Rev. 10:1-2 it is written: "I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven. . . and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth. " The Hebrew word for open is fatoaḥ which is the same as the Arabic word fātiḥah. Revelation 10:3 states: ". . . And when he [the angel] had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. " The seven thunders represent the seven verses of this chapter. Christian scholars admit that the prophecy refers to the second advent of Jesus Christ, and this has been established by actual facts. The Holy Founder of the Aḥmadiyya Movement, Ḥaḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad—who claimed to have fulfilled the prophecy relating to the second advent of Jesus-constantly had in his hands the little chapter Al-Fatihah, and wrote several commentaries on it. He deduced arguments of his truth from its contents, often referred to it in his speeches and writings, and always used it as a model prayer, exhorting his disciples to do the same. He deduced from the seven short verses of this chapter truths which were previously unknown. It was as if the chapter had been a sealed book until its treasures were discovered by Hadrat Aḥmad. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy contained in Rev. 10:4: "And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. " This prophecy referred to the fact that the Fatoaḥ or Al-Fatiḥah would, for a time, remain a closed book, but a time would come when it would become open and manifest. Subject Matter This chapter contains the essence of the entire Quranic teaching. It comprises, in outline, all the subjects dealt with at length in the body of the Quran. The chapter starts with a description of the fundamental attributes of God which is the pivot around which all the other divine attributes revolve, and is the basis of the operation of the universe and of the relations between 2