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Tafsir of the surah: Arabic text, English translation and verse-by-verse commentary
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Discover authentic tafsir and understand the Quran in depth
The tafsir of Surah Al-Fatiha brings out the full spiritual richness of this opening of the Quran. This surah, recited in every unit of prayer, holds in essence the whole Quranic message. Studying it closely lets believers grasp the subtle shades of each verse.
Al-Fatiha begins with "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim", a formula that calls upon divine mercy. Scholars explain that this invocation prepares the soul to receive divine guidance. The name "ar-Rahman" speaks of a universal mercy, while "ar-Rahim" refers to a particular compassion towards the believers.
The praise of Allah, Lord of the worlds, establishes the fundamental principle of divine oneness. That acknowledgement of Allah's absolute sovereignty turns the believer's heart towards its Creator. The term "al-alamin" embraces all worlds, seen and unseen, recalling the immensity of creation.
The request for guidance to the straight path is the heart of this surah. That path is the way of Islam as a whole, but also right conduct in every situation of daily life. Commentators point out that this guidance is renewed at every moment, so the request must be renewed too.
The reference to "those Allah has favoured" and the warning against going astray complete this perfect prayer. That balanced structure between hope and fear marks the Islamic approach to the spiritual life. To deepen your understanding, see our section on Quran or explore the teachings of the prophets upon prophets of Islam.
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ReadYou may be wondering…
How do I read the tafsir of a surah in English?
Choose a surah from the page Tafsir of the Quran: each verse then appears with its Arabic text, its English translation and its tafsir, that is, its explanation. A search lets you find a particular verse quickly. By default the page shows Surah Al-Fatiha, the first of the Quran, with its 7 verses explained.
What does Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim mean?
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful". Scholars explain that this formula prepares the soul to receive divine guidance. Ar-Rahman speaks of a universal mercy that embraces every creature, while ar-Rahim refers to a particular compassion reserved for the believers. The Basmala opens every surah of the Quran except Surah At-Tawbah.
What is the tafsir of Surah Al-Fatiha?
Al-Fatiha, "The Opening", is a Meccan surah of 7 verses recited in every prayer. It begins with praise of Allah, Lord of the worlds, recalls His mercy and His sovereignty on the Day of Judgement, then expresses worship of Him alone and the asking of His help. It ends with the request for guidance to the straight path, the path of those He has favoured, away from going astray. Scholars call it the Mother of the Book.
What is the difference between translation and tafsir?
A translation renders the literal sense of a verse in another language, with the limits that implies. Tafsir goes further: it explains the setting of the revelation, the sense of the Arabic words, the links with other verses and with the hadiths, and the practical teachings. Reading both together gives a far more faithful understanding of the Quranic message.
How many verses does Surah Al-Fatiha have?
Surah Al-Fatiha has 7 verses, which most commentators identify with the "seven oft-repeated verses" named in Surah Al-Hijr (15:87). It is classed among the Meccan surahs. Short as it is, it sums up the great themes of the Quran: the oneness of Allah, mercy, the Judgement, worship and guidance. See the detail of all 114 surahs.