Sūratul-Fātihah (Chapter 1, Verses 5-7) – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Sūratul-Fātihah is the first chapter of the Qur’an and has seven verses. In verse 5 we say that we worship and ask for help from Allah alone. In verses 6 and 7 we ask Allah to guide us to the straight path, the path of those He has favoured. We say Ameen after reciting it.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• recite verses 5, 6 and 7 of Sūratul-Fātihah;
• state the meaning of each of these verses;
• say what we say after Sūratul-Fātihah and what it means;
• give reasons why we recite Sūratul-Fātihah;
• follow the week plan to memorise the complete Sūrah.

What do verses 5 to 7 of Sūratul-Fātihah say?

This section covers verses 5, 6 and 7.

Verse 5

Arabic: إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Transliteration: Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in
Meaning: You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help

Explanation:

• We worship only Allah.
• We do not worship anyone else.
• We ask only Allah for help.
• We depend on Allah.

Verse 6

Arabic: ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Transliteration: Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim
Meaning: Guide us to the straight path

Explanation:

• We ask Allah to guide us.
• The straight path is the right way.
• It is the path of Islam.
• It is the path that leads to Jannah (Paradise).

Verse 7

Arabic: صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Transliteration: Siratal-ladhina an’amta ‘alayhim ghayril-maghdubi ‘alayhim walad-dallin
Meaning: The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray

Explanation:

• It is the path of good people.
• It is the path of the Prophets.
• It is not the path of bad people.
• It is not the path of those who are lost.

What is the complete Sūratul-Fātihah?

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

What do we say after Sūratul-Fātihah?

After Sūratul-Fātihah, we say آمِينَ (Ameen), which means “O Allah, accept our prayer”.

Why do we recite Sūratul-Fātihah?

1. It is obligatory in prayer

• The Prophet (SAW) said: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Fātihah)”.
• Without it, our prayer is not valid.
• It must be recited in every Rak’ah.

2. It contains all our needs

The Sūrah includes:

• Praise of Allah (verses 1-4)
• Our declaration (verse 5)
• Our request (verses 6-7)

3. It is a conversation with Allah

The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah says:

• When you say “Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘alamin”, Allah says “My servant has praised Me”.
• When you say “Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim”, Allah says “My servant has extolled Me”.
• When you say “Maliki Yawmid-Din”, Allah says “My servant has glorified Me”.
• When you say “Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in”, Allah says “This is between Me and My servant”.
• When you say “Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim…”, Allah says “This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for”.

4. It brings healing

• The Prophet (SAW) called it “The Greatest Cure”.
• Reciting it over a sick person (Ruqyah) brings healing.
• It protects from evil.

5. It opens the Qur’an

• It is called “Al-Fātihah” (The Opening).
• It introduces us to the Qur’an.
• It summarises the Qur’an’s message.

6. It fulfils our needs

In this Sūrah, we ask for:

• guidance
• the straight path
• to be among the righteous
• protection from going astray

7. It earns great reward

• Reciting it earns rewards.
• Each letter is rewarded.
• Repeating it in prayers multiplies rewards.

What are the important teachings of Sūratul-Fātihah?

From verses 1-4 (what Allah is like)

• Allah is Merciful.
• Allah is the Lord of everything.
• Allah is the Judge.

From verse 5 (what we should do)

• Worship only Allah.
• Ask only Allah for help.
• Depend on Allah alone.

From verses 6-7 (what we need)

• We need guidance.
• We need the right path.
• We need to follow good people.

How do we memorise the complete Sūrah?

Week plan

• Day 1: Review verses 1-4.
• Day 2: Memorise verse 5.
• Day 3: Memorise verse 6.
• Day 4: Memorise verse 7.
• Day 5: Say verses 5-7 together.
• Day 6: Recite the complete Sūrah (verses 1-7).
• Day 7: Recite to your parents with Tajweed (proper pronunciation).

Tips

1. Break it into parts
   • Do not try to learn it all at once.
   • Learn verse by verse.
2. Understand the meaning
   • Know what you are saying.
   • It is easier to remember.
3. Repeat often
   • Say each verse many times.
   • Practise every day.
4. Listen to recitation
   • Listen to a good reciter.
   • Learn the correct pronunciation.
5. Recite in your prayers
   • The best practice is in Salah.
   • You will review it in all five daily prayers.

What are the rules for reciting Sūratul-Fātihah?

1. Must have Wudu (ablution)
2. Face the Qiblah (when in prayer)
3. Recite slowly and clearly (with Tarteel)
4. Pronounce each letter correctly (Tajweed)
5. Understand what you are saying

Congratulations! You have now learned the complete Sūratul-Fātihah. This is a great achievement. May Allah accept it from you and make you among those who memorise the entire Qur’an. Ameen!

Evaluation

1. “Iyyaka na’budu” means _____.
   • a) We eat
   • b) You alone we worship
   • c) We sleep
2. In verse 6, we ask Allah for _____.
   • a) food
   • b) guidance
   • c) toys
3. After Sūratul-Fātihah, we say _____.
   • a) Goodbye
   • b) Ameen
   • c) Hello
4. The straight path is the path of _____.
   • a) bad people
   • b) good people
   • c) no one
5. We must recite Sūratul-Fātihah in _____ Rak’ah.
   • a) no
   • b) some
   • c) every

Assignment

1. Memorise the complete Sūratul-Fātihah (all 7 verses).
2. Recite it perfectly to your parents.
3. Recite it in your daily prayers.
4. Teach your younger siblings (if you have any).