Praising God and Praying to Him

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Surah Al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran, gives us such a fervor and joy when we read in it that all praise belongs to Him and when we tell God that “You alone we worship”.

We read in Surah Al-Fatiha:

“In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All praise belongs to God, Lord of the Universe, the Beneficent, the Merciful, and Master of the Day of Judgment. (Lord), You alone We do worship and from You alone we do seek assistance. (Lord), guide us to the right path, the path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray.”

This chapter is called Fatihat al-Kitab (the opening to the book) as it is the gateway to the Book of God. It is also called Sabi al-Mathani as it has seven verses.

This Surah is divided between God and the servant. Part of it is God’s statement telling people that all praise belong to the Lord of the Universe who is very compassionate and merciful and the owner of the Day of Judgment.  

The other part is what the servants of God say, stressing that our only beloved and God is Him and we seek help from no one other than him and that we pray Him to guide us to the straight path. And there is no higher blessing that guidance to the straight path and to perfection.

One literary device used in this Surah is Iltifat, which is switching person in conversation. There are many examples of use of this literary device in the Holy Quran and it creates joy and delight and wonder.