Umm al-Kitab; its significance and an in-depth Tafseer!

While Salah is incomplete for those who do not recite Al Fatiha, today we delve deeper in the subtle meanings and significance of those great seven verses!

Surah Al-Fatiha is one of those few surahs of Quran, which holds special status, and is even recalled by Allah Almighty in these words!

“And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an.” [Quran, 15: 87]

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded in the Musnad that Abu Sa`id bin Al-Mu`alla said, "I was praying when the Prophet (saw) called me, so I did not answer him until I finished the prayer. I then went to him and he said, (What prevented you from coming) I said, 'O Messenger of Allah! I was praying.' He (aw) said, (`Didn't Allah say), (O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he () calls you to that which gives you life) He (saw) then said, (I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an before you leave the Masjid.) He held my hand and when he was about to leave the Masjid, I said, `O Messenger of Allah! You said: I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an.' He said, (Yes.) (Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-`Alamin)'' (It is the seven repeated (verses) and the Glorious Qur'an that I was given.)'' Al-Bukhari

So, the messenger of Allah (saw) explicitly announces that these seven verses are the greatest in the Quran. Sadly, not many of us recite these very verses with the proper focus needed. So let us see yet another beautiful Hadith that tells us more about these seven great verses.

 Abu hurayrah narrated that the prophet (saw) said “I have divided prayer between myself and my slave into two halves, and My slave shall have what he has asked for. When the slave says: Al-hamdu lillahi rabbi l-alamin (All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists), Allah says: My slave has praised Me. And when he says: Ar-Rahmaan ir-Raheem (The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), Allah (mighty and sublime be He) says: My slave has extolled Me and when he says: Maaliki yawm id-deen (The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection)), Allah says: My slave has glorified Me - and on one occasion He said: My slave has submitted to My power. And when he says: Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een (You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything)), He says: This is between Me and My slave, and My slave shall have what he is asking for.And when he says: Ihdina’s-siraata’l- mustaqeem, siraat alladheena an’amta alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi alayhim wa la’ d-daalleen (Guide us to the Straight Way. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray), He says: This is for My slave, and My slave shall have what he has asked for.”

So, personally speaking, when I read this Hadith, I get Goosebumps! Wow! How humble of the Allah the Lord of lords to reply back to your reciting at least five times a day.