Benefits of Surah Al- Fatiha
Quran is the book sent by the creator of the universe for the welfare for the human beings. And it not only leads to a successful external life, it also provides solutions to inner problems and heals all the spiritual diseases the humankind has been facing. Thus, applying Quranic rules in our lives can entirely elevate us to a higher stage of living. The history is a witness that people who obeyed this book became the leaders of the world. They ruled the world in social, scientific, political, economical and any other section of the human life. Besides this, its recitation can heal our inner and external diseases, and hearing it can deeply affect our mind and soul. In short, we can say Quran is a book that has the solution of every problem of humanity.
However, there are some parts of the Quran, or some Surahs, or some verses that have higher ranks than others. There are many hadiths of the prophet of Allah (SAW) mentioning the Surahs or verses that have higher ranks, and reciting them can bless us a lot of rewards. Among them, Surah Al- Fatiha is one that has been mentioned in many hadiths of the prophet (SAW), and reciting it has many benefits.
Surah Al- Fatiha is the first chapter of the Quran. As for your reminder, we bring here all the seven verses of this Surah in Arabic:
بِسْمِ اللهِ اَلرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِیْمِ: اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ، اَلرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِیْمِ، مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ, اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ, اِهْدِنَا الصَّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيْم, صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْهِمْ غَیْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَیْهِمْ وَالَالضَّآ لِّیْن.
Benefits of Surah Al- Fatiha
Reciting Surah Al- Fatiha Means Reciting the Whole Quran:
When it’s about exploring the benefits of Surah Al- Fatiha, so the very first thing to begin is the saying of Allah (SWT) about it. Allah (SWT) says in his book: “and without doubt, we have given you the seven-repeated verses and the glorious Quran.” (Quran, chapter 15, verse 87). In this verse, Allah (SWT) mentions to his prophet (SAW) that we have granted you the Quran, and seven verses (of the Quran) that are repeatedly recited. According to many commenters of the Quran, the seven-repeated verses mentioned here are the seven verses of the Surah Al- Fatiha. Since, there are hadiths of the prophet of Allah (SAW) confirming this claim. As it is narrated by Abu Said that the prophet of Allah (SAW) told me that this (Surah Al- Fatiha) is the seven-repeated verses that I have been given, and this is the whole Quran. (Sahih Bukhari)
So, now when we have disclosed that the seven-repeated verses mentioned in the above verse, are the seven verses of Surah Al- Fatiha, let’s now reveal an interesting point here.
When Allah (SWT) mentions the whole Quran on one side, and on the other, the Surah Al-Fatiha, then it means only these seven verses of Surah Al- Fatiha equal the entire Quran. Thus, this is also confirmed from the hadith of Abu Said mentioned above. Eventually, one who recites Surah Al-Fatiha will gain as many rewards as he/she has recited the entire Quran. Hence, if we concentrate, this is the most interesting benefit of Surah Al-Fatiha. It means you can earn plenty rewards in just a minute by reciting the seven verses of the Surah Al- Fatiha. However, this should be kept in mind that reciting the whole Quran has its own advantages and rewards.
Surah Al- Fatiha is a Light for a Believer:
Benefits of Surah Al- Fatiha: Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas reports that the angel Jibreel (AS) was with the prophet Muhammad (SAW) when they heard a voice from above. The angle Jibreel (AS) said: this was the opening of a gate in the heaven which was never opened before now. Then an angel came down (from this gate). Jibreel (AS) said: this angel has never came down to this planet. So, the angel (when came near them) said Salam and said: Rejoice in two lights given to you (prophet Muhammad SAW) that were never given to any other prophet before you, and they are Surah Al- Fatiha and the last verses of Surah Al- Baqarah. (Sahih Muslim, #1871)
Thus, this hadith shows that one who recites Surah Al-Fatiha regularly, and with complete attention and focus, will be on the straight path. It means reciting Surah Al-Fatiha will prevent him/her from all bad deeds, and because of that, will lead him or her to Jannah in the coming world. So, it is so important to learn this Surah of the Quran with its meaning, and to get used ourselves to recite it every day while pondering in all its facts.
It is important to note that this Surah is called Al- Fatiha because it is the opening of the Quran, or we can say that this is the first Surah of the Quran. Furthermore, this Surah is also named with Fatihatul Kitab, Ummul Kitab, Ummul Quran and Al- Shifa.