Translation and Explanation of Surat-ul Fatiha (the victory-giving chapter)
Prof. Liaquat Samma
Introduction:
It means the opener of the door of the deen, the laws of God, the straight path, when the Deen will be established in the society. It is the essence of the Quran because the Quran shows the straight way to live and the foundation because in it we promise to obey the laws after praising them. In 42:13, God enjoined on all the prophets, "…Establish the Deen (God's Law)…" In 48:1, God says, "We gave (i.e. will give soon) you a clear victory…" In 110:1, God says, "When Allah's help comes and the victory comes, and you see armies of people coming into the Deen of God (i.e. accepting the Laws of God)…" God has told us here how the Deen can be established successfully.
In the name of Allah, the provider of everything slowly as well as intensely.
Allah means the Authority who gives the orders and the guidance of life. Rehmat means giving something needed for growth. It is given slowly and gradually as well as greatly and intensely.
1:1
The praise (appreciation) is for Allah (only), the nourisher and sustainer of everything known (the universe).
Explanation:
Praising Allah means praising His authority to guide every one He has created. If you praise the guidance you will follow it. Rab means helping to grow, mentally and physically.
1:2
He is Rehman and Raheem.
Explanation:
He helps every one by giving guidance in life in every way, slowly and fast. This is difference between the aspect of Rehman and Raheem.
1:3
He is the king of the period of the Law.
Explanation:
Maalik or Malik, both are right. The root Malaka means to have power over, to possess (the Power to use and to dispose). Youm means a day, i.e. the period of 12 hours. So it is a period. Deen means the law, the code of life, the custom. It doesn't mean Jaza, reward or punishment, otherwise God would have used it here. Judgment also means deciding what law to be given, and not Hisaab, or taking the actions into account.
1:4
We (only) worship (obey) you (and will always do so in future) and seek help from You (in establishing the Law).
1:5
Tell us (guide us) (what to do) the right path (deen and its details).
Explanation:
They want to know in order to obey them and not just to pray for Sawab, recompense.
1:6
The way of those who got all the good things of life, (happiness, comfort and success)
1:7
Not the way of those who displeased You (by disobedience, and were punished) and not of those who went astray (by not having the right path and by following some other wrong path).
Explanation:
This means that we should follow the right path i.e. the Deen (set of Allah's guidance given in the Quran only).The purpose of this Surah is that if we follow it we promise and declare our pledge to obey all His commands.
