The reality of Surah Al-Fatihah is astonishing

Sūrah al-Fātiḥah is described as the ‘Mother of the Qur’an’ and the ‘Seven oft-repeated verses’. It is recited in every unit of every prayer. It is one of the chapters of the Qur’an that we memorised as children and one of the chapters that we will teach to our children. But just what makes this chapter so important? From the 114 chapters of the Qur’an, why is this the first chapter? What makes it so special? What is the message of this chapter?

Each and every one of the 114 chapters of the Qur’an has a single theme and subject. Every topic within that chapter will then relate to that single theme. So what is the theme of Sūrah al-Fātiḥah?

Overview

The theme of this chapter covers the basic tenets of Islam, being; belief in Allah (swt), following the Prophet Muhammad 

 and the purification of the soul and exalted character that those principles should bring about. In many ways, Sūrah al-Fātiḥah is a summary of the main themes of the Qur’an. The scholars have mentioned that the Qur’an is broadly divided into 3 main themes. A third of the Qur’an speaks about Allah , a third about the Prophets and past nations, and a third about the halal and haram.

To know Allah 

Let us analyse Sūrah al-Fātiḥah. Allah  dedicates the first three verses of this chapter to speaking about Himself. Allah  mentions His lordship, His creation, His power, His Names and His Attributes. Allah (swt) says in the first three verses, “All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Owner of the Day of Judgement.”