بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ. الْحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ. الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ. مٰلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ. إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ. اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيْمَ. صِرَاطَ الَّذِيْنَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّآلِّيْنَ. آمِيْن.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. It is You we worship, and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who are astray. Amen.
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Māliki Yawmid-Dīn. Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn. Ihdinaṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim walāḍ-ḍāllīn. Āmīn.
When to Read
This dua is the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah itself, which is an integral part of every rak'ah in the obligatory and supererogatory prayers. The 'Amin' at the end is often said by the Imam aloud after completing the Surah, and the congregation says it silently or aloud depending on the school of thought and the situation.
How to Read
Recite Surah Al-Fatihah with full attention and understanding, reflecting on its meaning. Ensure correct pronunciation and Tajweed. When the Imam concludes the recitation, join in with saying 'Amin' sincerely, seeking Allah's acceptance of your prayer and supplication.
Virtues & Benefits
Surah Al-Fatihah is the 'Mother of the Book' (Umm al-Kitab) and the 'Seven Oft-Repeated Verses' (Al-Mathani). It is the cornerstone of the prayer, without which the prayer is invalid. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'Allah the Almighty said: 'I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant. My servant shall have what he asks for.' If he says, 'Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn' (Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds), Allah says, 'My servant has praised Me.' If he says, 'Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm' (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), Allah says, 'My servant has extolled Me.' If he says, 'Māliki Yawmid-Dīn' (Master of the Day of Judgment), Allah says, 'My servant has glorified Me.' If he says, 'Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn' (You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help), Allah says, 'This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he desired.' If he says, 'Ihdināṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim walāḍ-ḍāllīn' (Guide us to the straight path. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who are astray), Allah says, 'This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.' (Sahih Muslim 395)
Source & Authentication
Allah the Almighty said: 'I have divided the prayer into two halves between Me and My servant. My servant shall have what he asks for.' If he says, 'Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn' (Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds), Allah says, 'My servant has praised Me.' If he says, 'Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm' (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), Allah says, 'My servant has extolled Me.' If he says, 'Māliki Yawmid-Dīn' (Master of the Day of Judgment), Allah says, 'My servant has glorified Me.' If he says, 'Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn' (You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help), Allah says, 'This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he desired.' If he says, 'Ihdināṣ-ṣirāṭal-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim walāḍ-ḍāllīn' (Guide us to the straight path. The path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who are astray), Allah says, 'This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.' — Sahih Muslim 395