Understanding Surah Al Fatiha through the Subconscious Mind

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection). You (Alone) we worship, and you (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Guide us to the Straight Way. The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray. — Qur’an 1[Al-Fatiha]:1–7

The subconscious mind is a state of awareness in which every thought that reaches the mind is recorded. You may succesfully plant into your subconscious mind any idea you wish to transform into reality in your life. That is the power of the subconscious mind! It’s a means that translates your prayers into terms with divine intelligence. Why do you think Allah makes us recite Al-Fatiha seventeen times daily at a minimum? It’s because He’s imbibing in us the principles of faith, gratitude, worship, servitude, and humility. Understanding this concept is a bedrock between the human mind and infinite intelligence. Hence, the reason for it’s repeated recitation is to imbibe these lessons in our subconscious mind so we can live by it daily.

Reciting Suratul Fatiha is like a direct communication between you and your Creator — Allah. This is why it’s important to learn it adequately and perfect your recitation with concentration. In fact, Allah’s Messenger PBUH was reported to have said:

Ubadah ibn al-Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no prayer for one who does not recite the opening of the Book, Surat al-Fatihah.” — Bukhari and Muslim

The merits of Suratul Fatiha can't be overemphasized. It’s not the theme of this piece but not mentioning it will be considered an injustice. It is the opening chapter of the Quran: an invocation; a recital; and a beautiful remembrance that summarizes monotheism. The primary meaning of “Al-Fatiha” is “The Opening” also known by the name “Al-Fatihat-ul-Kitab” meaning the Opening of the Book. It serves as an opening for one’s heart towards faith. The verses of Suratu Fatiha is the most recited as Allah entrenches those principles in our subconscious mind on a daily basis. It’s also considered as one of the most important chapters of the Qur’an because it is an important component or pillar in our five daily prayers. The verses serve as a healing for the body, mind and soul.

Now, to the theme of this piece which is an hadith-ul-qudsi depicted below:

“Narrated by Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah’s Messenger (May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying that Allah said: “I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My slave. My slave will have what he asks for. When the slave recites: “All praises belong to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds,” Allah says: “My slave has praised Me.” When the slave recites: “The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful,” Allah says: “My slave has magnified Me best.” When the slave recites: “He is the Owner of the Day of Judgment.” Allah says: “My slave has glorified Me” and once He says: “My slave has surrendered himself to My Will.” When the slave recites: “You we worship and from You we seek help,” Allah says: “This is between Me and My slave. My slave will have whatever he has asked for.” When the slave recites: “Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You bestowed Your favors.” Those who neither exasperated you, nor went astray. At this, Allah says: “This is for My slave and My slave will have what he has asked for.” – Sahih Muslim.

Let’s break down the lessons in bits:

1. Praise: Allah begins the chapter by praising Himself and acknowledging His beautiful names and attributes. The name of Allah is One which is above all names and worthy of starting any cause. He instils in us that He’s the Beneficial One Who gives to all His creatures, and the Merciful One Who selectively showers His mercy to the believers.
2. Gratitude: After praising Himself, He acknowledges His Might and expresses gratitude. This tells us that we have to give thanks to Allah and praise Him in all circumstances. Let this resonate in our subconscious mind.
3. Humility: This same verse affirms that He Allah Alone is the Owner of the world. He’s in charge and has power over all. He directs the affair of things the way He wants without need for anyone. This confirms that we’re nothing but a miniature being in the sight of the Creator.
4. Sovereignty: He establishes His supreme power of authority letting us know that He’s also in charge on the day we return to Him for reckonning.
5. Worship: Allah affirms His uniqueness of Lordship and worship as He’s independent and we are the ones who need Him. This should also sink in our minds that He Alone deserves to be worshipped without ascribing partners, and to Him we cry onto for help.
6. Guidance: A beautiful prayer for guidance here. We should be thankful that we are guided unto Islam and we should strive to be better Muslims daily. Nothing guarantees us that we will die on this straight path as the heart can be misled to the stray path. Hence, the need for us to keep this prayer fervent on a daily basis.
7. Comprehensive prayer: These beautiful verses are never before seen. Allah’s Apostle PBUH said: “By the One, in Whose hand is my soul, Allah has not sent down a similar Surah to this Surah (Al-Fatihah), neither in the Turah, nor in the Gospel, nor in the Psalms, nor even in the Qur’an and it is Umm-ul-Kitab” which means that it is the basis and origin of all excellence.

It is very important that we perfect our recitation of Suratu Fatiha and understand that when we stand in prayers reading it, we are actually carrying on a conversation with our Creator. Al Fatiha is more than a confessional prayer. It is one that encapsulates all the metaphysical and eschatological realities of which human beings must remain conscious. It contains a threefold structure: the first three verses deal with the nature of God, the middle verse deals with the relationship between God and human beings, and the last three verses deal with the various states of human beings. This is why it’s important to let it resonate in your subconscious mind and live by it’s lessons daily.

PS: And Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. Please subscribe to Jum’ah Nugget so as to get our next publication in sha Allah!

Yaumul Jum’ah 9th Jumadal Thani 1442 AH // Friday 22nd January 2021.