Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter)
The opening chapter of the Quran, recited in every single rak'ah.
Surah Al-Fatiha (Arabic: سورة الفاتحة) is the first and most central chapter of the Quran. It is called "The Opening" and is recited in every single rak'ah of the prayer. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Fatihat al-Kitab (The Opening of the Book)."
Al-Fatiha consists of seven verses and is a complete prayer in itself: it begins with praise of Allah as Lord of the Worlds, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. Then the believer asks for guidance to the straight path — the path of those who have been blessed, not those who have gone astray.
Al-Fatiha is the most recited surah in the entire Quran, as it is included in all prayers. It is also called "Umm al-Quran" (Mother of the Quran), "As-Sab' al-Mathani" (The Seven Oft-Repeated) and "Ash-Shifa" (The Healing). It is sunnah to say "Ameen" after the recitation of Al-Fatiha.
Related terms
Jannah (Paradise)
The eternal paradise, the reward for faith and good deeds.
Salat al-Ayat (Prayer of the Signs)
An obligatory prayer performed during natural phenomena such as solar and lunar eclipses.
Jam' bayn al-Salatayn (Combining Prayers)
The Shia practice of praying Dhuhr and Asr together, and Maghrib and Isha together.
Du'a Abu Hamza al-Thumali (Ramadan Night Supplication)
A profound Ramadan supplication taught by Imam Sajjad, recited at sahur time.
Minbar (Pulpit)
The elevated platform in the mosque from which the imam delivers the Friday khutbah.
Tashahhud (Testimony of Faith in Prayer)
The testimony of faith recited in the sitting position during prayer.