Al-Faatihah
(The
Opening)
[I
begin] In
the name of Allah[1],
Mercy abounding, Mercy forever[2].
All
gratitude is due only to Allah, the Lord[3]
of the vastness of the universe[4],
Who is infinitely Merciful, Whose mercy extends forever, the Owner[5]
of the Day of Judgment. (1 – 3)
[O Lord,]
Only You do we worship and only You do we turn for help. Guide us in adhering to
the straight path. The path of those upon whom you showered your blessings. Not
[the path] of those who [,due to their disobedience and transgressions,] became
deserving of your wrath[6].
Neither of those who [,due to their own additions in Your guidance,] went astray[7].
(4 – 6)
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[1]
The Arabic word ‘Allah’ may be literally translated as ‘The
God’, implying ‘The one God’.
[2]
‘Al-Rahmaan’ refers to the extent while ‘Al-Raheem’
refers to the continuation of God’s mercy. The combined implication of the two
attributes coming side by side is that God is not only abounding in mercy but
also that the abounding nature of His mercy continues forever.
[3]
The literal meaning of the word ‘Rubb’ is Provider. The
implication of ‘Lord’ is basically a development on the meaning of
‘Provider’.
[4]
The Arabic word ‘`aalameen’ is the plural form of the word ‘`aalam’
meaning ‘world’. In the Arabic language, plural form may, if the words or
the context so require, denote the vastness or the greatness or the enormity of
a thing, as it denotes the plurality of number.
[5]
i.e. the Sole Authority.
[6]
The Qur’an tells us that the Jews (Yahood) became deserving of
God’s wrath due to their disobedience and transgressions. See, for instance, Al-Baqarah
2: 61.
[7]
The Qur’an tells us that the Christians (Nasaara) lost God’s
guidance and thus went astray due to their self-imposed additions to the body of
God’s guidance. See, for instance, Al-Maaidah 5: 77.