Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening Chapter)
The opening chapter of the Quran, recited in every single rak'ah.
Surah Al-Fatiha (Arabic: سورة الفاتحة) is the first and most central chapter of the Quran. It is called "The Opening" and is recited in every single rak'ah of the prayer. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Fatihat al-Kitab (The Opening of the Book)."
Al-Fatiha consists of seven verses and is a complete prayer in itself: it begins with praise of Allah as Lord of the Worlds, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment. Then the believer asks for guidance to the straight path — the path of those who have been blessed, not those who have gone astray.
Al-Fatiha is the most recited surah in the entire Quran, as it is included in all prayers. It is also called "Umm al-Quran" (Mother of the Quran), "As-Sab' al-Mathani" (The Seven Oft-Repeated) and "Ash-Shifa" (The Healing). It is sunnah to say "Ameen" after the recitation of Al-Fatiha.
Related terms
Tilawah (Quran Recitation)
Recitation of the Quran, which is a central part of prayer and daily worship.
Tartib (Order in Prayer)
The correct sequence of the prayer's actions and the daily prayers.
Ramadan (The Month of Fasting)
The holy month of fasting, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Isnad (Chain of Narration)
The chain of narrators connecting a hadith back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Sunnah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary prayers based on the Prophet's practice.
Salat al-Istisqa (Rain Prayer)
A special congregational prayer performed to ask Allah for rain during drought.