1
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Surah 1 of 114
Surah Al-Fatiha
Quick Answer
Surah Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة) is Surah 1 of the Quran — The Opening, 7 verses, meccan. UK Prayer Times provides the Arabic text, transliteration and English translation for each verse.
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الفاتحة
The Opening · 7 verses · Meccan
Surah al-Fatiha is the opening chapter of the Qur'an and is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of every prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'There is no prayer for the one who does not recite al-Fatiha' (Sahih al-Bukhari 756). It is also called Umm al-Kitab — the Mother of the Book.
Virtues & Benefits
- The greatest surah in the Qur'an according to Sahih al-Bukhari 4474.
- Pillar of every salah — the prayer is incomplete without it.
- A direct conversation between the servant and Allah (Sahih Muslim 395).
When to read
- Recited in every rak'ah of every obligatory and voluntary prayer.
- Used as a healing supplication (ruqyah) for the sick.
- A complete dua in itself — guidance, gratitude and submission in seven verses.
Verses (7)
2
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbi l-'alamin
All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
3
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Ar-Rahmani r-Rahim
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
4
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Maliki yawmi d-din
Master of the Day of Judgement.
5
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
6
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Ihdina s-sirata l-mustaqim
Guide us along the Straight Path —
7
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Sirata lladhina an'amta 'alayhim ghayri l-maghdubi 'alayhim wa la d-dallin
the path of those You have blessed — not those You are angry with, nor those who are astray.