alFtiah

alFtiah is a transliteration variant of al-Fatiha, the opening chapter of the Qur'an. The name means The Opening (or The Opener) in Arabic. It is traditionally counted as the first surah of the Qur'an and is also known by names such as Umm al-Kitab (Mother of the Book).

Text and structure: It consists of seven verses (ayat). It begins with the Basmala: "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Its verses praise God, appeal for guidance to the straight path, and request mercy and forgiveness.

Role in worship: Al-Fatiha is recited in every unit of the five daily prayers (salah) and is considered a central pillar of Muslim prayer. It is also recited on other occasions and in various supplications.

Influence and interpretation: Scholars view it as a concise summary of the Qur'an's themes; it functions as both praise and petition and has been the subject of extensive exegesis (tafsir) historically.

In translations and practice: In translations, the sense of The Opening is conveyed, but some nuance remains in the original Arabic. The surah's canonical text is widely memorized and recited across Islamic traditions.