By Openings are crucial whether it comes to the game of chess or a piece of literature. They set the tone and perform a first impression. Given this, the Holy Quran has the best opening of any literature to exist ever. Thus, this Ramadan, we are honored to start our first day of the #MuslimGirlRamadanBookClub with Juz one revolving around Surah Al-Fatiha.
Al-Fatiha serves as the opening chapter of the Holy Quran and is one of the first Juz that Muslims often learn about and utilize in their day-to-day life.
It is recited a total of 17 times in the five daily prayers as it is a pivotal component of the Quran and outlines a lot of Islam’s foundational ideals and values. It is also considered a dua for guidance and provides a foundational basis for the relationship between Allah (SWT) as the Creator and humans as His creations whose purpose is to worship Him. It is simple but concisely powerful.
Here is the main takeaway we can have from Surah Al-Fatiha.
Guidance and worship
Allah (SWT) is the supreme authority of this world and the hereafter and how humans serve and seek guidance from Him. Allah (SWT) created every inch of the world from plants and animals to humans to angels and everything in between.
The first Juz serves as the defining line that officializes the relationship humans have with their Creator and the monotheistic core belief in Allah (SWT) as our one and only God worthy of worship.
— Quran (1:5)
It deems that Allah (SWT) is the one and only God worthy of worship and this defining belief separates Muslims from nonbelievers. This is also evident in the next verse where Allah (SWT) says:
— Quran (1:6)
The verse is also a dua for guidance, as Muslims we continuously strive to be better versions of ourselves and seek assistance from Allah (SWT) to properly serve Him.
All the fundamental elements touched on in this Juz are deepened and explored further throughout the rest of the Quran, especially with the opening line that sets the tone for how the rest of the Quran will go and the perception of Allah (SWT) that Muslims hold dearly:
— Quran (1:1)
Al-Fatiha sets a precedent for the following Juz, Al-Baqarah to deepen upon, as it lays down the foundational beliefs of Islam in its simplest form for anyone to understand and follow.
What about you? What do you love about Surah Al-Fatiha? Let us know on social media platforms.