O servants of Allah, Surah Al-Fatihah is the greatest surah in the Qur’an. This was affirmed by the prominent scholar from the early generations, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari. All Islamic scholars unanimously agree that this surah consists of seven verses. Therefore, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) in the Qur’an refers to this surah as the “seven oft-repeated” verses (sab‘ al-mathani), because we repeat it in every rak‘ah of prayer.
O servants of Allah, the word “Ameen” is not a verse of Surah Al-Fatihah. Many people mistakenly believe it is part of Al-Fatihah, and thus when teaching their children to recite this surah, they teach them to say “Ameen” at the end. However, the word “Ameen” is a separate supplication (du‘a) that means “O Allah, respond” (Allahumma istajib). A person recites Surah Al-Fatihah, which is the best supplication (du‘a), and then says “Ameen,” meaning “O Allah, respond.” Yet, children grow up believing that “Ameen” is part of Surah Al-Fatihah, even though it is not.
Many people make mistakes in pronouncing the word “Ameen.” There are two acceptable pronunciations:
- Aaaaamiiin – prolonged;
- Ameen – short.
Both are permissible. However, some say Ammiin, which is incorrect as it conveys a completely different meaning.
O servants of Allah, here is another mistake! Many people, when reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, make errors that distort its meaning. For example:
- Incorrect: Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqiim, siraatal-latheena an‘amtU (instead of an‘amtA) ‘alayhim, which means, “Guide us to the Straight Path, the path of those whom I (instead of You) have blessed.”
- A very common mistake occurs when a person fails to double the letter ya in the phrase:
Iyaka na‘budu wa iyaka nasta‘een. They might say, “to the Sun we worship and from the Sun we seek help from” (changing the meaning to “sun”). Therefore, one must double the ya in the middle:
Iy-yaka na‘budu wa iy-yaka nasta‘een, meaning “YOU alone we worship, and YOU alone we seek help from.”
I urge all Muslims, as it is an obligation for every Muslim, male or female, to seek knowledge. Among the essential knowledge required of every one of us without exception are:
- First, learning to recite Surah Al-Fatihah correctly, as we must recite this surah at least 17 times a day during prayer, and it must be recited correctly. It is a pillar of Salah, and Salah is a pillar of Islam.
- Secondly, it is equally important to study the meaning of what we recite. The Qur’an was revealed not merely to be recited without understanding, but to be comprehended. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) says:
كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ
˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.
(Qur’an, Surah “Sad,” 38:29)
How can you reflect if you do not understand what you are reading?! Therefore, O servants of Allah, study the meanings of the Qur’an, particularly the meaning of Surah Al-Fatihah. Use reliable Qur’anic tafsir sources for this purpose—not the tafsir of misguided groups, grave worshippers, or Mu‘tazilites. Follow the tafsir of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah, such as the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir. Among the best, simplest, and most concise tafsirs available in Russian is the Tafsir of Shaykh Abdurrahman as-Sa‘di (may Allah have mercy on him). I advise myself and you to study it.
O servants of Allah, we ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), besides whom there is no true deity, to guide us all and set all our affairs in order. We ask Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) to allow us to live as monotheists and die as monotheists, so that our final words may be:
“La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah” (“There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and [I testify that] Muhammad is His Messenger”).
May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) enable us to live in Islam and die in faith. May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) grant Muslims knowledge of their religion and steadfast adherence to it, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
﴿مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْراً يُفَقِّهْهُ في الدِّينِ﴾
“When God wishes good for anyone He instructs him in the religion.
And if this Ummah lacks understanding of its religion, one should reflect: have we reached such a state that Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) does not will good for us? May Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) protect us from this.
