What’s Actually In The One Phrase That 1.8 Billion Muslims Memorized
Something short yet powerful your way.
“The Opening” | الفاتحة
This is the first chapter of the Qur’an. It contains just seven verses. These seven verses are read in every single prayer, multiple times. In fact, this is what makes up the prayer. To put into perspective — every single day, this single chapter from the Quran is collectively recited at least 30,000,000,000,000 times in a single day from the 1,800,000,000,000 Muslims around the world. From Australia, to Indonesia, to South Africa, to Kazakhstan, to Egypt, to Sweden, to Canada — every corner on earth. In fact, you’ve probably overheard these verses hundreds of times from mosques or videos, but probably wondered, what exactly is the meaning of what’s recited? Even a majority of Muslims themselves have never pondered upon their meanings. While it is indefinitely the single most-read piece of text in history, it is also perhaps the least understood and appreciated.
I’ll let it speak for itself.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God — the Gracious, the Compassionate
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Praise is to God — Lord of the worlds
ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Gracious, the Compassionate
مَـٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
Master of the day of judgment
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
You alone we serve — You alone we ask for help
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Guide us to the straight path
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
The way of those whom you blessed; not of those who received anger, nor of the strayers
The first Chapter of the Quran is an outline of the Quran. The Quran repeatedly emphasized God’s grace and mercy and asks us to never give up hope. It invites us to always be conscious of the Day of Judgement in which God ALONE will judge our worldly choices and deeds. It underlines the importance of attaining freedom by submitting ourselves only to the Truth, and nothing but the Truth. It reminds us of the spiritual, individual, social, and political duties that will guide us on and to the straight path; additionally, it informs us of God’s blessings to ancient communities and us to God’s blessings to ancient communities and their various triumphs and blunders.
— Edip Yuksel, author and activist
There are 113 more beautiful and meaning-filled chapters in the Quran. You can explore for yourself the chapters and verses of this miraculous book in English as well! — here.
