Surah Al-Fatiha
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Allah's Unique Lordship is Established Through Praise, Mercy, and Sovereignty
[1] In the Name (ism; s-m-w) of Allah, The Entirely Merciful (ar-raḥmān; r-ḥ-m), The Especially Merciful (ar-raḥīm; r-ḥ-m). [2] All comprehensive praise (al-ḥamdu; ḥ-m-d) belongs exclusively to Allah, the Lord (rabb; r-b-b) and Sustainer of all worlds (al-ʿālamīn; ʿ-l-m). [3] (He is) Ar-Raḥmān (whose mercy is vast, universal), Ar-Raḥīm (whose mercy is continuous, specific to believers). [4] The sole Master (mālik; m-l-k) of the Day of Recompense (yawm ad-dīn; d-y-n).
• The Covenant: Worship and Help are Directed Exclusively to Him
[5] (This verse is the pivot, shifting from praise to supplication): You alone (iyyāka) we worship (naʿbudu; ʿ-b-d), and You alone we ask for help (nastaʿīnu; ʿ-w-n), (establishing the core covenant of exclusive devotion and reliance).
• The Ultimate Supplication for the Straight Path and Righteous Company
[6] Guide us (ihdinā; h-d-y) to the Straight Path (aṣ-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm; ṣ-r-ṭ, q-w-m). [7] The Path of those You have bestowed favor upon (anʿamta; n-ʿ-m), not of those who incurred (Your) wrath (al-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim; gh-ḍ-b) (by knowing the truth but rejecting it), nor of those who went astray (aḍ-ḍāllīn; ḍ-l-l) (by losing the truth).