INTRODUCTION - First Chapter of Quran

First Chapter of Quran - FAATIHAH  (THE OPENING)

Praise belongs to God, Who is Sufficient for us. And, may glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon His chosen servants. Fa-  ‘A-‘uu-zu  bIllaahi minash-Shay-taanir- Rajiim. Bis-millaahir-Rah-maanir-Rahiim. Assalaamu Alaikum wa RahmatUllaah i wa Barakaatuhuu.

Attention please! Before touching the Scripture of God, it is compulsory to be clean - for the Muslims to perform Ablution, and for non Muslims to take bath with its conditions i.e. Gargling, pouring water into the nose and causing to flow the water on the entire body even that no hair remains dry.

INTRODUCTION

Section – 1 (Part 1)

It is also called Faatiha-tul-Kitaab, “The Opening of The Scripture”, “Ummul’l-Qur’aan” and The Essence of The Qur’an, as it is variously named, has been called “Lord’s Prayer by the Muslims”. It is also named as Sura-tul-Shifaa as recitation of this Surah results physical and spiritual restoration of the health. Allah Almighty has taught his Servants to beg from Him. If we wish to narrate the Abstract of Holy Qur’an, we shall say in this manner that there are three main subjects in the Holy Qur’an, which are narrated repeatedly:-

1       The Skies, The Earth and everything is created by God Almighty. He has no relative, no partner, no co-sharer and no confederate. He is One and all things are looked after and brought up by Him.

2       Each mankind will be responsible himself for his/her acts and deeds and all the people will be produced in The Court of God Almighty, where, their acts will be examined and they will be rewarded or awarded according to their acts, performed or committed in the worldly life.

3       The Messengers of God Almighty (peace be upon them) were sent in all parts of the world, who told the people difference among the Right and the Wrong Paths. They guided the mankind towards the Goodness.   

This Surah is an essential part of all the Muslims’ worships, public and private, and no solemn contract or transaction is final unless it is recited. The date of revelation is uncertain, but the fact that it has always, from the very earliest times, formed a part of Muslims’ worships, there being no record or remembrance of its introduction or of public prayer without it, makes it clear that it was revealed before the fourth year of the Prophet’s mission (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) because we know certainly that at that time regular congregation prayers were offered by the little group of Muslims in Makkah. During that year, due to disgrace and attack by the idolaters, the Prophet (glory, grace, blessings and peace be upon Him) arranged for the service, which had been held outside the doors for security purpose, to take place in a private house.

This Surah is often called Saba-’am- min al-Mathaani, “Seven of the Oft-repeated” also (verses being Understood), XXV words which are taken as referring to this Surah.

You would have seen that how much virtue has this Surah. Reciting it needs special attention and consideration. It should also be admonished to others. O God Almighty! Give us power and strength to do well.

           

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’aan published By Idara Islaah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif) .