Surah Al Fatiha ( The Opening ) Chapter 1- Simple Explanation and The Meanings

Surah Al Fatiha is the first chapter in the Holy Quran and it means 'The Opening'. It was revealed in Makkah and consists of seven verses.
This Surah in other words is a prayer that Allah has taught us in this Holy book Quran.

Different names For Surah Al Fatiha:
Surah Al Fatiha has been given many names like

• Umme-ul-Kitab ( The mother of the Book ), 
• Surat-al-Hamad ( the Surah of Praise)   and 
• the Seven oft repeated verses, because it is recited repeatedly in every prayer five times a day. 
• Al-Ruqiya ( The Spiritual cure )

The Basic Summary:

Surat Al Fatiha contains all the fundamental principles laid down in the Holy Quran in a condensed form. It describes the uniqueness and oneness of God, Allah the Almighty. Allah is the only power that can guide and help us to the right path and protect from the wrong path. 

Meaning And Explanations:

1. In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent , The Most Merciful 

2. Al hamdu lilllahi rabbil aalameen

(All praise is only for Allah, the Lord of the Universe.) 

Allah alone deserves to be praised for everything, Starting the first Surah which is actually a prayer, with the praise of Allah teaches us how to supplicate by praising Allah. For any prayer before putting forward our request we should first of all praise Allah, as He deserves it for everything He has given us. The Hamd or Praise of Allah is a fact, Allah is the Lord, the King, the Creator of the whole universe and everything that exists. 

3. Ar Rehamannir Raheem

( The Entirely Merciful, The Most Gracious )

Rehman and Raheem are two great names of Allah that explains the great mercy and beneficence. These names explain the mercy of Allah in its highest degree. 

4. Malik i yawmid deen

( The Lord / The Sovereign of the day of Judgement ) 

Allah alone is the Master of the day of the judgement, the day when the human beings will be resurrected and given reward or punishment for their deeds in this world. This verse reminds us for this day to come when every one will be given justice from Allah alone. On this day every one will have to give the account of his deeds to Allah alone. Allah will have full authority to be Merciful and pardon or to punish people, He will have power over everything. 

5. Iyyaka naabudu wa iyyaka nastaeen

( It is You Alone we worship and You Alone we ask for help )

In this verse we the servants/slaves  of Allah clearly say that we submit ourselves to Him alone and worship Him alone because there is no one besides Allah alone worthy of worship. Every thing is in Allah's hand and we should seek help from Allah alone. Our needs and requirements can only be fulfilled if we seek help from Allah. 

6. Ih dinas siratal mustaqeem

( Guide us to the straight path )

In this verse the prayer continues by requesting Allah to guide us and open our hearts to the true path, the right way which is free from error and evil consequences and that which will bring us success in the end. The straight path that is according to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the message brought by the last prophet Mohammad (pbuh) following which will lead us to jannah. 

7. Siratal lazeena an amta alayhim ghayril maghdoobi alayhim walad dalleen. 

( The path of those whom You have bestowed Your favor, not the way of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.)

The true path of those blessed and righteous people like the prophets, the martyrs on whom Allah has put His blessings and guided them. and then we seek not to be on the wrong path of those people who did wrong and Allah got angry with them . it is the example of the people who knew the truth but did not act upon it. Also we pray to Allah that we should not be misguided and keep us away from ignorance. 

Ameen

May Allah accept it from us.