Why is Al-Fātihah Recited During the Salāt?
Although the Quran does not explicitly instruct the recitation of Al-Fātihah in Salāt, there are profound reasons rooted in Quranic guidance for its central place in worship.
1. Glorifying God by His Beautiful Names
وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ فَٱدْعُوهُ بِهَا
Walillahi al-asmā’ul ḥusnā fadu’ūhu bihā
To God belong the Beautiful Names, so call Him by them…
(7:180)
In Al-Fātihah, God’s Names Ar-Raḥmān (The Almighty) and Ar-Raḥīm (The Most Merciful) are celebrated in verses 1 and 3, fulfilling this Quranic directive.
2. Praising the Lord of the Worlds
فَلِلَّهِ ٱلْحَمْدُ رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَرَبِّ ٱلْأَرْضِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
Falillahi al-ḥamdu rabbi as-samāwāti wa rabbi al-arḍi rabbi al-‘ālamīn
So praise be to God, the Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth; Lord of the Worlds.
(45:36)
Verse 2 of Al-Fātihah directly fulfills this command:
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil ‘Ālamīn (Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds).
3. Acknowledging God’s Absolute Authority
وَٱلْأَمْرُ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ لِلَّهِ
Wal-amru yawma’idhin lillāh
And the command on that Day belongs to God.
(82:19)
In Al-Fātihah, verse 4 declares:
Māliki Yawmid-Dīn (Master of the Day of the Religion), acknowledging God’s exclusive authority over Judgment Day.
4. Worshipping God Alone
أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓاْ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ
Allā ta’budū illā Allāh
Do not worship except God.
(11:2)
Verse 5 of Al-Fātihah fulfills this command:
Iyyāka na’budu (You alone we worship).
5. Seeking God’s Help
وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ
Wasta’īnū billāh
Seek God's help.
(7:128)
Verse 5 of Al-Fātihah echoes this:
Wa iyyāka nasta’īn (And You alone we ask for help).
6. Asking for Guidance to the Straight Path
وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ
Wa yahdī man yashā’u ilā sirāṭin mustaqīm
God guides whom He wills to a straight path.
(2:213)
Verse 6 of Al-Fātihah directly fulfills this prayer:
Ihdinā as-sirāṭ al-mustaqīm (Guide us to the straight path).
7. Aspiring for God’s Blessings
فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم
Fa’ulā’ika ma’a alladhīna an’amallāhu ‘alayhim
Shall be with those whom God has blessed…
(4:69)
Verse 7 states:
Sirāṭa alladhīna an’amta ‘alayhim (The path of those whom You have blessed).
8. Avoiding God’s Wrath
وَمَن يَحْلِلْ عَلَيْهِ غَضَبِى فَقَدْ هَوَىٰ
Wa man yaḥlil ‘alayhi ghadabī faqad hawā
Whoever incurs My wrath has surely plunged to his ruin.
(20:81)
Al-Fātihah seeks protection from this fate:
Ghayril maghḍūbī ‘alayhim (Not of those who have incurred wrath).
9. Avoiding Misguidance
وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن سَبِيلٍۢ
Wa man yudhlilillāhu famā lahu min sabīl
Whomever God misguides, you will not find a way for him.
(4:88)
Verse 7 of Al-Fātihah concludes with:
Wa la-ḍ-ḍāllīn (Nor of the misguided).
The recitation of Al-Fātihah during Salāt integrates core Quranic commands and principles, making it a perfect encapsulation of faith, worship, and devotion to God.