THE GATEWAY TO THE QURAN Material for Research in Surah Al-Faatihah By Shahzado Shaikh Published By Mission Unto Light International P.O Box.7, Larkana; Phone: 0741-444516 iv THE GATEWAY TO THE QURAN By: Shahzado Shaikh All Rights Reserved with the author First Edition: 2005 Title: Sindhica Academy, Karachi. Computer Layout: Nadeem Ahmed Solangi Published by: Prof. S.M. Yusuf Printed by: Sindhica Academy, Karachi. Phone: 2737290 Price: 400/= Can be had from: Mr. Books Super Market, Islamabad Tel: 051-2278843,45 Thomas & Thomas Booksellers Regal Chowk, Sadar, Karachi. Tel: 021-5682220 Liberty Books, M.R. Kiyani Road, Saddar Karachi-74400, Tel: 021-5683026 Kitab Markaz, Frere Road, Sukkur Tel: 071-25755 National Book Depot, Bunder Road, Larkana Tel: 0741-442574 Izharsons, Urdu Bazar Lahore Tel: 042-722076 Vanguard Books, Super Market, Islamabad Tel: 051-2270317 Mission Unto Light International P.O Box.7, Larkana; Phone: 0741-444516 v PREFACE Al-Faatihah is the preface to the Holy Quran. vi vii CONTENTS Preface _______________________________________ v Short Notes ___________________________________ 1 Acknowledgements _____________________________ 3 Part-I: Al-Faatihah _____________________________ 6 Part-II: Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Rahiim ____________ 29 Part-III: The Phrase “Bismillaah” __________________ 49 Part-IV: Allah __________________________________ 73 Part-V: Ar-Rahmaanir-Rahiim ____________________ 127 Part-VI: Alhamdu Lillaah ________________________ 155 Part-VII: Rabb _________________________________ 175 Part-VIII: Aalamiin _____________________________ 207 Part-IX: Maalik _________________________________ 213 Part-X: Iyyaaka Na’budu wa Iyyaaka Nastaiin _______ 269 Part-XI: Divine Guidance – Hidaayat ______________ 313 Part-XII: As-Siraat-al Mustaqiim __________________ 355 Appendix-1 ____________________________________ 389 Appendix-2 ____________________________________ 390 Appendix-3 ____________________________________ 393 Appendix-4 ____________________________________ 395 Appendix-5 ____________________________________ 396 Appendix-6 ____________________________________ 399 Appendix-7 ____________________________________ 402 Appendix-8 ____________________________________ 403 Appendix-9 ____________________________________ 404 Appendix-10 ___________________________________ 405 Appendix-11 ___________________________________ 409 Appendix-12 ___________________________________ 411 Appendix-13 ___________________________________ 413 Appendix-14 ___________________________________ 416 Appendix-15 ___________________________________ 417 viii Appendix-16 ___________________________________ 418 Appendix-17 ___________________________________ 419 Appendix-18 ___________________________________ 420 Appendix-19 ___________________________________ 421 Appendix-20 ___________________________________ 422 Appendix-21 ___________________________________ 423 Appendix-22 ___________________________________ 424 Appendix-23 ___________________________________ 425 Appendix-24 ___________________________________ 427 Appendix-25 ___________________________________ 428 Appendix-26 ___________________________________ 429 Appendix-27 ___________________________________ 430 Appendix-28 ___________________________________ 431 Appendix-29 ___________________________________ 432 Appendix-30 ___________________________________ 434 Appendix-31 ___________________________________ 435 Appendix-32 ___________________________________ 436 Appendix-33 ___________________________________ 438 Appendix-34 ___________________________________ 439 Appendix-35 ___________________________________ 441 Appendix-36 ___________________________________ 442 Appendix-37 ___________________________________ 443 Appendix-38 ___________________________________ 444 Appendix-39 ___________________________________ 446 Appendix-40 ___________________________________ 447 Appendix-41 ___________________________________ 448 Glossary _______________________________________ 451 Bibliography ___________________________________ 461 Content-Index __________________________________ 465 Conclusion ____________________________________ 479 Duaa _________________________________________ 480 The Gate-way to the Quran re-opened _____________ 481 Renaissance reconsidered ________________________ 1 Short Notes SHORT NOTES I first thought of trying to write an article or a brief commentary on Al-Faatihah on July 10, 2000, but couldn’t make any progress. It always pinched me that I had not fulfilled my `covenant’ in this regard. Ultimately, with the Blessings and Guidance of Allah, in all humility, I started the humble effort of compiling this book, on January 31, 2003, after I was made O.S.D. (Officer on Special Duty) on January 14, 2003. One of my colleagues, by way of encouragement, interpreted this as an `opportunity’ provided by Allah Subhaanahuu wa-ta’Alaa to accomplish some righteous work in His Way. Allah The Ever-All Gracious, The Ever All-Merciful made it all easy. I gave the first draft to Professor Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh, Principal, Cadet College, Larkana, on May 11, 2003. A day after, notification of my promotion to BS-22, and then posting orders were issued with the Blessings of Allah. It seems, now, that this period of `paid holiday’ was arranged by Allah Almighty as a special favour to take up this task exclusively and accomplish with peace of mind! Alhamdulillaah! It took another about three months to finalize the draft and yet additional about six months to prepare its glossary, index, bibliography, contents; make corrections and complete many other related finishing touches. This book is a modest attempt to collect some material for research into Al-Faatihah. Most of the material could have been further condensed and précis presented in own words. But mostly it has been reproduced, because of following considerations: (i) importance of the statements and references, (ii) special position and stature of the author, (iii) degree of authenticity, (iv) variety of opinions, (v) argument, expression and articulation. The book does not provide close ended answers. It rather encourages inquisitive mind and increases quest for observation, exploration, reflection and reasoning. It does not quench thirst. It increases it. There may appear to be repetition of some explanations and verses. It is due to the fact that generally one verse contains more than one subject or argument. It is also a fact that there are many verses on the same subject, but covering different points or aspects in the argument. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to explain the subject matter from different approaches and perspectives, e.g. philosophy, logic, science, etc. In spite of this, many issues have not been explained or elaborated in detail, because of limitations of the subject matter of this book. The Gateway to the Quraan 2 Bibliography, Glossary, General Index and Content-Index are given at the end of the book. Material on different issues or subjects has been compiled or written in such a manner that each can be made out into separate and short note or article. Many of them have not been fully elaborated because of considerations of subject and volume of the book. Different statements and views of various authors and scholars have been reproduced and arranged in a manner that they present a sort of interconnected discourse or discussion on the subject. Translations of holy verses have not been given from one, but different translators. Shahzado Shaikh Islamabad. October 3, 2003 3 A cknowledgements Short Notes ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I can never, adequately and properly, submit my thankful praises to the Ever All-Gracious, the Ever All-Merciful Allah for providing me Guidance, resources and all the help to accomplish this task, for which I could never imagine, plan and organize. I pray for Allah’s unlimited Mercy and Forgiveness for all my sins, follies, lapses and mistakes here and everywhere in my life. He may in His Bounteous and Gracious Mercy accept it as the means of salvation for me, my parents, wife, children, family, friends, well wishers and all those who read and advance the spirit of this humble submission. This is not a one man’s job. By the Grace of Allah, my grand mother, Saroop (may Allah bless her soul in peace), used to guide me to put my conduct on the right track. My loving mother, Hoor Khatoon, keeps on praying for me, as ever. My father, Shafi Muhammad Shaikh, used to advise me, till his death (may Allah bless his soul in peace) to recite the Holy Quran every day, without fail. My wife, Sakina, provided all peace of mind and comfort for easy accomplishment of this task. My dear daughter Saroop Gul, caring sons Sarwan Gul and Mehran Gul, provided all technical assistance, in my working, for the first time in my life, on computer and information technology. They advised, guided and helped enthusiastically. I am particularly thankful to Professor Muhammad Yusuf Shaikh, Principal, Cadet College Larkana for encouraging me and for providing me all the support for all processes involved in the arrangement, proof reading, printing, publishing, etc, etc., of this book. I have special thanks and appreciation for Hafiz Abdul Wahid, Lecturer, Islamic Studies, Government College of Commerce, Rawalpindi, who helped in searching different verses on various subjects. Mr Gul Zaman, Senior Auditor, Office of the Auditor General of Pakistan, Islamabad assisted with all devotion in the arrangement of contents, bibliography,