Quran with SFH Series: Surah Fatiha

Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri

The most oft repeated Surah of the Qur'an focuses on the path.

The way to live our lives with least sorrow, emotional upheaval etc. It starts by reminding us of the fabric of existence, held by both the visible and invisible fabric of praise of our what we attract and wish for. Human consciousness is balanced between light and dark, attraction and repulsion. We straddle between these numerous vibrations of opposites, the most prominent force of which is Life itself.

Everything we praise emanates from the mysterious Divine Source, which governs the known and unknown universe. The primary dualities in our praise is between Rahman and Raheem, Mercy for all and Mercy for the individual. We invoke the essence of The Governor and Controller (Malik) of Time and who will cause spacetime to end.

The shadow aspects of these great attributes are also still under the governance and control of the One Source.

Our worship and adoration of God is by the grace of the soul (ruh) which we invoke when seek to be on the straight path of presence, grace and dependance on the One, who encompasses everything known and unknown.

Translation by Shakir:

1. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
2. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;
3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
4. Master of the Day of Judgment.
5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
6. Show us the straight way,
7. The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.