Journal of Xi'an University of Architecture & Technology ISSN No : 1006-7930

An overview of the most famous names of Surah Al-Fatiha

Majid Roohi Dehkordi 1

Abstract:

One of the invaluable discussions in the domain of knowledge of Quran and its elements is Surah studies or discussion of Quranic Surahs (chapters) from different points of views and perspectives. This is highly influential in understanding the precious doctrines and teachings of The Divine Book and taking further advantage of it. The first Surah of Quran is the Surah Al- Fatiha which is of particular status among other chapters of Quran. This Surah has been referred to in Islamic traditions and remarks of exegetes and scientists of Quranic sciences by different names including Fatihat Al Kitab, Umm Al Kitab, Umm Al Quran, Al Sab' Al Mathani, Al Asas, Al Shifa, Al Kanz and so on and so forth.

Keywords : Quran, Surah Al-Fatiha, Names of Surah Al-Fatiha.

Introduction :

Quran is a great valuable book for human guidance from his own Creator. The magnificent features of Quran must be heard from the language of true Quran experts, i.e. Prophet and Prophet’s Household: “Verily, Quran is beautiful in its surface and is deep in its essence. Its wonders are endless and its unknown truths would never come to an end and darkness would not be overcome but through it” (Nahjulbalaghah, Sermon 18: 61). Moreover, in another part of the unique features that have been highlighted by Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as regards this revealed book, we read; “It is a sea the depth of which is not touched. It is the mine of faith and its center, fountainheads of knowledge and its seas. It is a fountain the water in which would never get dried. It is guidance for everyone who relies on it. It is a proof for the one who speaks by it” (ibid, Sermon 198: 315-316).

The present essay struggles to introduce and identify the names and status of one of the superb chapters of Quran that in Islamic traditions has been given a unique place, virtue, features and properties. This Surah is Hamd. In the following, we discuss the most significant names of it in view of Quranic verses and Islamic traditions.

Names of Surah Al-Fatiha :

Among 114 chapters of Quran, some chapters have two or more names. One of these chapters is Surah Al-Fatiha which is said due to its significance, status and honor has been given up to twenty-five names (cf. Siuti, 2001, 1: 193-196). We continue to discuss the most important ones of these names and the reason of their use.

1 Assistant professor, faculty of letters and humanities, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran; email: [email protected]

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1- “Al Hamd” (Praise); since the first verse of this chapter after “Bism Allah [In the Name of Allah]” starts with “Al Hamd”: “Praise is to Allah the Lord of the Worlds”. This is one of the names of this chapter that has been mentioned in Shia traditions and in the works of the Shiite and Sunni Muslim scholars (cf. Bahrani, 1996, 1: 97; Siuti, 2001, 1: 196).

2- “Fatihat Al Kitab” in the sense of beginning of the book and Al Kitab (The Book) in this name refers to Quran. This is one of the frequently used names of this chapter and in the Sunni and Shiite traditions, this name is used in many cases (cf. Siuti, 2001, 1: 193; Bahrani, 1996, 1: 95- 96). The basis of this name is that Quran and teaching Quran begins with this chapter or it is said that since this is the first chapter of the Quran that has been revealed or descended to the Prophet, it is named in this way (Siuti, 2001, 1: 193). One should state that in Shia traditions and works of many Shiite and Sunni scholars, the name “Al Fatiha” is used for this chapter that is the abbreviated form of the aforementioned title.

3- “Fatihat Al Quran” in the sense of beginner of Quran which is used in some Shia traditions (cf. Koleini, 1987, 3: 312-313) and the basis of this name is clear.

4- “Umm Al Kitab” in the sense of mother of the book or the basis of the book to which Sunni and Shia traditions have referred (cf. Tirmadhi, 1999, 5: 141; Bahrani, 1996, 1: 96-98). The origin and reference of everything is called “Umm” and since this Surah includes the principles of the intentions of Quran as well as the gist of its content, it is called “Umm Al Kitab” (Jawahiri, 2006: 75). Or it is said, since this chapter is “Muhkam” (definite) and according to the verse 7 of Surah Ale Emran, the definite verses are the Umm Al Kitab, it is called in this way (Siuti, 2001, 1: 194). The first view is stronger.

5- “Umm Al Quran” in the sense of mother or basis of Quran is the other name that has been used in Islamic traditions in order to refer to this chapter of Quran (cf. Tirmadhi, 1999, 5: 141; Koleini, 1987, 3: 348). It is said that this name is used because this chapter is the basis or the origin of Quran; for it includes all goals, knowledge and wisdoms of Quran. Or it is said that since it is the most superior chapter in Quran, it has got this name (Siuti, 2001, 1: 194).

6- “Al Sab' Al Mathani”; this name is used in many Shiite and Sunni traditions for referring to this chapter (cf. Siuti, 2001, 1: 194; Tirmidhi, 1999, 5: 141; Bahrani, 1996, 3: 385-387). In this phrase “Sab'” means “seven” and “mathani” is the plural form of “Mathna” in the sense of two by two (Mostafa et al., 1990, 102). Only in one verse of Quran, this name is used: “Verily we have given you “Sab' of Al Mathani” and great Quran” (Al Hijr: 87). In most traditions which have interpreted this verse, it is noted that Sab' of Al Mathani represents “Surah Hamd” (cf. Siuti, 1984, 4: 104-105; Bahrani, 1996, 3: 385-87).

As to the reason for the use of this name, it is noted in Islamic traditions that “Sab'” mentions the number of the verses of this chapter and “Mathani” notes the fact that this chapter is cited twice in every daily prayer (Ayyashi, 2001, 1: 95; Siuti, 1984, 4: 105). Or according to another Shiite tradition, Mathani is used because speech is repeated twice in this chapter (Ayyashi, 2001, 2:

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249). In the author's opinion, probably this tradition refers to the seven words that in this chapter are repeated twice, i.e. Allah, Al Rahman (the most Compassionate), Al Rahim (the most merciful), Eyyak (only you), Vav (and), Sirat (path), Alayhim (to them). (Alayhim is indeed composed of two words but we have considered it to be one due to the mode of its writing). Moreover, as to Mathani, it is said that this name is used to refer to this chapter because it descended twice in order to highlight its significance and honor: one time in Mecca and another time in Medina (Tabresi, 1993, 6: 530; Siuti, 2001, 1: 63). But the author has not found any Islamic tradition that would endorse this. Mulla Saleh Mazandarani has also said that it is not proven that this chapter descended or was revealed two times and seemingly it was revealed just in Mecca (Mazandarani, 2003, 10: 398). Ayatollah Khoei does also have a similar view (n., 421).

There are different other views and interpretations of “Mathani” in exegetical works and Quranic sciences books (cf. Tabresi, 1993, 6: 530; Siuti, 2001, 1: 195).

It should be mentioned that according to the researches of the author, only in one tradition in Shia sources which has been mentioned in Ayyashi’s exegesis, the name “Al Mathani” is used for this chapter (Ayyashi, 2001, 1: 21). The other traditional works after it like “Bihar Al Anwar” and “Al Burhan”, have quoted this tradition from Ayyashi. Also, in some exegeses, this name has been mentioned among the names of this surah (cf. Tabresi, 1993, 1: 87; Zamakhshari, 1987, 1: 1). It is very likely that this name is not so different from “Al Sab' Al Mathani” and seems to be its abbreviated form.

7- “Al Asas” in the sense of basis and origin. This name is used based on a word by Ibn Abbas which has been quoted in some Sunni exegeses in full form (cf. Thalabi, 2002, 1: 128; Qortobi, 1985, 1: 113). And some of it is also mentioned in some Shiite exegeses like Majma Al Bayan and Zubdat Al Tafasir (cf. Tabresi, 1993, 1: 87; Kashani, 2003, 1: 17). Of course, one can conjecture that if Ibn Abbas has said this, he would have heard it from the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) with or without intermediaries.

The full version of his word is as follows: Sha'bi has stated that I have heard frequently from Ibn Abbas that everything has an Asas (basis); the basis of development and habitancy on earth is Mecca, because the earth has got developed from there and the basis of heavens is “Gharib”, i.e. the Seventh Heaven, and the basis of earth is “Ajeeb”, i.e. the lowest land or Seventh land, and the basis of the paradises is the Garden of Adn which is located at the center of paradises that have been founded on it and the basis of fire is hell which is the seventh and lowest level of fire and the other levels of fire have been grounded on it. The basis of creation is Adam and the basis of prophets is Noah and the basis of Bani Israel is Jacob and the basis of books is Quran and the basis of the latter is Fatiha and basis of Fatiha is “In the Name of Allah the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful”. When you get ill or you have pain, you have to turn to Fatiha in order to get healed (Thalabi, 2002, 1: 128). Thus, one can state that this chapter due to its being the first chapter of Quran or the basis and origin of Quran, it is named in this way (Siuti, 2001, 1: 196).

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8- “Al Shifa” in the sense of healing; because Holy Prophet of Islam is quoted to have said that Surah Hamd is the cure and healing for every illness but death (Shaeeri, n., 43). Or in another tradition from his Highness, it is said; seven recitations of Hamd is the cure for every patient and if it is recited a hundred times for someone’s health while the spirit has left his body, God would return his spirit (Al Alami, 2000, 31).

In addition to these traditions, many other traditions have been quoted in hadith books in emphasizing the healing power of this chapter along with instructions from the immaculate Imams (AS) on how and how many recitations of this chapter for this purpose (cf. Koleini, 1987, 2: 623; Majlesi, 1983, 89: 234-235 and 257 and 260-261).

Sometimes the title “Al Shafyah” (healer) is mentioned as one of the names of this chapter that is similar to the same name “Al Shifa” and derived from above traditions (cf. Siuti, 2001, 1: 196).

9- “Al Roqyah” in the sense of everything like talisman, amulet, prayer and etc., that are used for the medication of the patients or protection of an event or to make something happen (cf. Mostafa et al., 1991, 367; Ameed, entry on Roqyah). In the books of Sunni Muslims, this name is one of the names that have been mentioned for Surah Hamd (cf. Qortobi, 1985, 1: 113; Siuti, 2001, 1: 196). And this is almost similar to the previous name, i.e. “Al Shifa”. The reason of this name is a word by Holy Prophet of Islam which has been quoted in the Sunni sources: Abu Saeed Khudri has quoted that a group of the companions of Holy Prophet were traveling and they met an Arab tribe; they asked the people of the tribe to accept them as their guests but the tribe refused and said: Is there anyone among you who would give a talisman? Because our head is bitten or ill. One of the companions said: yes; and he went by and he afforded a talisman by Surah Fatihat Al Kitab. That man got healed. Thus, they gave him a herd of sheep but he refused to accept and said: I would not accept it until I relate what happened to Holy Prophet [and ask his view in this regard]. He went to Holy Prophet and related the story and said: O’ Messenger of Allah! I swear by God I didn’t used any other thing but “Fatihat Al Kitab”. The Prophet smiled and said: “How did you know that it is a Roqyah?” Then, the Prophet said: accept their gift… (Moslem, 1992, 4: 1727; in a modified form in Bokhari, 1990, 9: 136). Because of this Prophetic word, this name has been chosen for this chapter.

10- “Al Kafyah” in the sense of “Sufficient”. For this chapter is sufficient for daily prayer and it cannot be replaced with any other chapter (Siuti, 2001, 1: 196). This is endorsed by the prophetic tradition that is related from the Holy Prophet of Islam: Umm Al Quran replaces any other chapter of Quran but no other chapter replaces it (Thalabi, 2002, 1: 128; Tabresi, 1993, 1: 87). It seems that this tradition refers to the recitation of this chapter in daily prayer.

11- “Al Kanz” in the sense of treasure; this name is derived from the Islamic traditions that consider this surah as one of the treasures of the “Arsh” (Throne) or the treasure of Paradise. For example, Holy Prophet is quoted to have said that Fatihat Al Kitab is the noblest thing that exists in the treasures of the “Arsh” (Saduq, 1980, 175). Moreover, in Shiite traditions, it is quoted that Holy Prophet once said: verily, God honored me with Fatihat Al Kitab that is from the treasure

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of Paradise (Majlesi, 1983, 89: 238). Sunni Muslims have also quoted from Imam Ali: Fatihat Al Kitab descended at Mecca from a treasure under the “Arsh” (Thalabi, 2002, 1: 89; Siuti, 1984, 1: 2).

12- “Surah Al Salat” in the sense of chapter of prayer. This name is one of the other names that are used in Sunni works to refer to this chapter and this is because the prayer depends on the recitation of this chapter of Quran (Siuti, 2001, 1: 196); in other words, without this chapter, prayer is not correct; it can also be due to the fact that this chapter is repeated in the prayer or prayers (cf. Ibn Ajybah, 1999, 1: 52).

Given our discussions, we can conclude that different names given to this chapter are related to its various aspects and looking at this chapter from different angles such as its use, effects, features, status, teachings and concepts. On the other hand, in Quranic verses and specifically in Islamic traditions, some descriptions have been mentioned as regards this chapter that bespeak of the virtue and high and unique status of this chapter as well as its wonderful effects. There are also numerous Islamic traditions as regards the otherworldly bounties of recitation of this chapter in traditional works which we will discuss them God willing in other essay.

Conclusion :

1- Surah Al-Fatiha particularly in Islamic traditions, exegeses of Quran and works of scientists of Quranic sciences is mentioned by different names, among the most important of which one can refer to the following: Al Hamd, Fatihat Al Kitab, Fatihat Al Quran, Umm Al Kitab, Umm Al Quran, Al Sab' Al Mathani, Al Asas, Al Shifa, Al Roqyah, Al Kafyah, Al Kanz, and Surah Al Salat.

2- The names used to refer to this chapter suggest that they are chosen in view of its different aspects and looking at this chapter from different angles such as its use, effects, features, status, teachings and concepts.

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