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
Isha (Night Prayer)
The fifth and final daily prayer, performed when darkness has fallen.
Ijtihad (Independent Legal Reasoning)
The independent interpretive effort to derive legal rules from the Islamic sources.
Nafilah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary extra prayers beyond the five obligatory daily prayers.
Shafa'ah (Intercession)
The Prophet's and the Imams' intercession with Allah for the believers on the Day of Judgment.
Turbah (Prayer Stone)
A small clay tablet upon which Shia Muslims place their forehead during sujud.
Sujud al-Shukr (Prostration of Gratitude)
A prostration to Allah in gratitude, recommended after prayer and upon receiving blessings.