C.42.-First comes that beautiful Sura, The Opening Chapter of Seven Verses, rightly called the Essence of the Book. It teaches us the perfect Prayer. For if we can pray aright, it means that we have some knowledge of Allah and His attributes, of His relations to us and His creation, which includes ourselves; that we glimpse the source from which we come, and that final goal which is our spiritual destiny under Allah's true judgement: then we offer ourselves to Allah and seek His light.
C.43.-Prayer is the heart of religion and Faith. But how shall we pray? What words shall convey the yearnings of our miserable ignorant hearts to the Knower of all? Is it worthy of Him or of our spiritual nature to ask for vanities or even for such physical needs as our daily bread? The Inspired One taught us a Prayer that sums up our faith, our hope, and our aspiration in things that matter. We think in devotion of Allah's name and His Nature; we praise Him for His creation and His Cherishing care; we call to mind the Realities, seen and unseen; we offer Him worship and ask for His guidance; and we know the straight from the crooked path by the light of His grace that illumines the righteous.
1:1 SURA 1. Fatiha, or the Opening Chapter. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1:2 Praise be to Allah, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;
1:3 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
1:4 Master of the Day of Judgment.
1:5 Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
1:6 Show us the straight way,
1:7 The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
