AL FATIHAH

We pray 5 times a day. During that time we recite al Fatihah 17 times. We recite the Surah during Solat then break in between the prayer times. We also recite the Surah at numerous functions and a prelude to many ibadahs. Before we recite the Qur’an we recite the Surah first. The reading preludes religious activities and daily affairs.

WHY? What’s the significance? What is the training here that we are undergoing? Have we put much thought in it and just follow `like our fore-fathers do?’ In many instances Allah s.w.t condemns this act of following without knowledge. As Muslims we are taught to think, learn and follow the Path of Learning. So whatever we inherited in form of culture, religion or values, we have to rethink and discover the value and purpose behind it.

So what is al Fatihah? We know that it is the `Ummul Kitab’; the Mother of The Kitab (Quran). What is a mother? What is its significance?.....
A mother gives birth and therefore starts a new life. A mother gives love to the children, prepares and starts them on the right path. A mother provides shelter, succor and base for them.

….Let us think of the al Fatihah in this light; the starting point daily life, the turning of the ignition key before the engine start. Let us ponder at the verses of al-Fatihah;

(1).. `Segala Puji bagi Allah, Tuhan seluruh alam’ – All praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe.

..... This verse introduces us to Allah s.w.t, God of The Universe; physically and intrinsically. He is the supreme Ruler of the Universe, the Chief Administrator, the Provider, The Judge, The Punisher, The Overseer, The One Who Resides over All, The One and Only True God.

….. All praise be to Him. None is worthy of praise but Him. None is worthy of our devotion and subjugation but Him. To Him alone must all object of purpose be directed to……
(This verse remind us of our station in Life, who we are, who is our superior and to whom should be our Object of our Focus in everyday Life)

(2).. `Yang Maha Pengasih, Maha Penyayang’ – The Beneficent, The Merciful.

…. This verse explains the two attributes of Allah s.w.t for which we are to always be conscious of; Beneficent and Merciful. This starts our day with Hope and expectation of the good things to come. We are reminded to feel the Bounty and Mercy of Allah s.w.t. No matter how bad the preceding day had been for us, we are to always hope, pray, expect for Allah’s Bounty and Mercy. This should heal our heart had it gone septic in the course of daily trials. Saying it at 5 milestone daily should emphasis it and clean the wound daily before it becomes to hard to heal.(This second verse emphasis Allah’s Bounty and Mercy to His creations and set us in a proper frame of mind for daily affairs)

(3).. `Pemilik Hari Pembalasan’ – Master of the Day of Judgment.

..... After acknowledging the gracious attributes of God, we are reminded that there is a Day of Judgment and He will be there to judge us on our deeds. Here we are reminded not to take the gracious attributes of God lightly as if there are no responsibilities attached. Within the Beneficent and Merciful attributes of God, we are take responsibilities to make good use of these attributes and not to indulge in acts forbidden by Him.
(After acknowledging Allah’s Bounty and Mercy, we are reminded of the accountability of our actions)

(4).. `Hanya engkaulah kami sembah dan kepada engkaulah kami memohon pertolongan’ – Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.

..... Knowing that accountability is heavy and that we could be mislead from His Path, we seek Allah’s Help. We reaffirm our SOLE object of worship and seek His help in everything…
(After acknowledging our accountability we affirm Him as our Sole object of worship and seek His Help)

(5).. `Tunjukkilah kami Jalan Yang Lurus’ – Show us The Straight Path.

..... After affirming Him as our sole object of worship and seeking His Help, we define the help as showing us The Straight path. We WANT to be shown the Right Path. We want to be among those in the good book of God. We want to be always in His Path. We remind ourselves at 5 milestones daily of our Goal, i.e; to be on The Right Path. Thus we besiege Him to point us the way…
(Our constant prayer to God is to show us the Right Path)

(6).. `Jalan orang-orang yang engkau telah berikan Nikmat padanya dan bukan jalan mereka yang di murkai dan mereka yang sesat’ – The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray.

..... To end the Surah, we beseech God to show us the path of those God has favoured and seek His Help to deter us from the path of those that has earn His Anger and those who has gone astray. This is our objective in this Life; to tread the Straight Path; meaning the path of those that has earned God’s favor. We also reminded ourselves at 5 milestones daily to keep away from the Path of those that earned God’s anger and those that has gone astray.

(We beseech God to show us the path of righteousness that would earn God’s favor and keep us away from the path that would earn His Wrath)