Tafsir Surah Al-Fatiha - The exegesis of Surah The Opening

Translated by Samir Doudouch Taken from the works of the great exegetes of the Quran Ibn Kathir Ibn Al-Jawzi Ibn Taymiyyah Ibn Al-Qayyim And others... - Editions MuslimLife

Objective of the book Tafsir surah Al Fatiha

The main objective of the book "Tafsir Surah Al-Fatiha" is to provide readers with an in-depth and enriching understanding of Surah Al-Fatiha of the Quran. Through the compiled exegeses of great scholars such as Ibn Kathir, Ibn Al-Jawzi, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Al-Qayyim, and others, the book explores the spiritual, theological, and practical meanings of this central surah in Islam . It aims to help readers meditate on the Names and Attributes of Allah, deepen their understanding of worship and divine guidance, and integrate the teachings of this surah into their daily and spiritual lives. In summary, this book seeks to enrich readers' religious knowledge and practice through a detailed and enlightening study of Surah Al-Fatiha.

Fourth cover

Surah Al-Fatiha is the largest chapter of the Quran. It has no equal, whether in the rest of the Book or in the Scriptures that preceded it. It holds a central place within daily prayer and therefore within the life of the Muslim. It is because of the importance of this surah that this Commentary has been compiled. It is a summary of many classics of Quran exegesis, including: Tafsir Al-Qur'an Al-'Adhim by Ibn Kathir -Tafsir Al-Qayyim by Ibn Al-Qayyim -Jami' Al-Bayan fi Tawil Al-Qur'an by Al-Tabari -Zad Al-Masir fi 'Ilm Al-Tafsir by Ibn Al-Jawzi -Al-Jami' li-l-Ahkam Al-Qur'an by Al-Qurtubi - Al-Durr Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir Al-Ma'thur by Al-Suyuti and many others.

Introduction taken from the book Tafsir Surat Al-Fatiha

Surah Al-Fatiha is the largest chapter of the Quran. It has no equal, whether in the rest of the Book or in the Scriptures that preceded it.

It is a light which was granted to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and which was not attributed to any other Prophet or Messenger before him.

Some Pious Predecessors claimed that when this surah was revealed, Satan let out a huge cry of lamentation.

It holds a central place within daily prayer and therefore within the life of the Muslim.

The underlying theme of Al-Fatiha deals with contemplation and serenity.

It covers many topics such as:

• meditation on the Names and Attributes of Allah meditation on creation

• the recognition that He alone is worthy of praise and adoration, that He alone is to be called upon for help, that He alone is to be feared, that He alone is to be hoped for, that He alone is to be invoked, that the Day of Judgment exists with certainty, that guidance has come to us and we are required to follow it.

It calls us to carefully examine our relationship with our Lord: are we living by the implication of “no deity worthy of worship except Allah” or not?

This introductory surah, despite its brevity, calls on man, in thirty places, to fulfill the rights of monotheism, the right that Allah has over us and which consists of worshiping Him exclusively without an associate.

This surah summarizes, in a few words, the message of the entire Quran.

It is because of the importance of this surah that this commentary has been compiled.

It is a summary of many classics of the exegesis of the Quran, including:

1. Tafsir Al-Qur'an Al-'Adhim by Ibn Kathir
2. Tafsir Al-Qayyim by Ibn Al-Qayyim
3. Jami' Al-Bayan fi Ta'wil Al-Qur'an by Al-Tabari
4. Zad Al-Masir fi 'Ilm Al-Tafsir by Ibn Al-Jawzi
5. Al-Jami' li-l-Ahkam Al-Qur'an by Al-Qurtubi
6. Al-Durr Al-Manthur fi Al-Tafsir Al-Ma'thur by Al-Suyuti
7. Fath Al-Qadir Al-Jami' bayna fannay Al-Riwaya Wa Al-Dirayah min 'Ilm al-Tafsir by Al-Shawkani
8. Tafsir Al-Qur'an by Al-Sama'ani
9. Ma'alim Al-Tanzil by Al-Baghawi
10. Al-Kashshaf 'an Haqa'iq Al-Tanzil wa 'Uyun Al-Aqawil fi Wujuh Al-Ta'wil by Al-Zamakhshari
11. Al-Muharrar Al-Wajiz fi Tafsir Al-Kitab Al-'Aziz by Ibn 'Atiyyah
12. Al-Tafsir Al-Kabir by Al-Razi
13. Al-Bahr Al-Muhit by Abu Hayyan
14. Al-Anwar Al-Tanzil wa al-Asrar Al-Ta'wil by Al-Baydawi
15. Al-Lubab fi 'Ulum Al-Kitab by Ibn 'Adil
16. Nazm Al-Durar fi Tanasub Al-Ayat wa Al-Suwar by Al-Baqa'i
17. Lubab al-Ta'wil fi Ma'ani Al-Tanzil by Al-Khazin
18. Ruh Al-Ma'ani fi Tafsir Al-Qur'an Al-'Adhim wa Al-Sab' Al-Mathani by Al-Alusi

The exegesis of a bottomless ocean such as the Book of Allah can never be completed. This is a lifelong study.

This commentary is therefore only a small part of the documentation available on the exegesis of this surah. Many elements have been omitted, many others have been summarized, but this will not prevent, Allah willing, giving the reader a glimpse of the depth of meanings that can be found there.

It also aims to demonstrate the extent of the efforts that our scholars, may Allah have mercy on them all, have made in taking on this immense task of explaining the Quran.

I ask Allah to count this modest effort in my balance of good deeds and to forgive me for every mistake it contains.

Samir Doudouch