Notes on Surah Al-Fatihah
• Ar-Rahman (الرحمان) and Ar-Raheem (الرحيم) come from the root R-H-M/ر-ح-م which means to have mercy, tenderness, kindness, gentleness, pity, and to have all that is required to bestow such.
• Multiple names indicate a noble status: Al-Fatihah (The Opening), Fatihat Al-Kitab (The Opening Of The Book), Umm Al-Kitab (Mother Of The Book), As-Sab Al-Mathani (The Seven Oft Repeated), Surah As-Salah (The Surah Of Prayer), Surah Ar-Ruqyah (The Surah Of Ruqyah), Ash-Shifa (The Cure), Al-Hamd (The Praise)
• Rabb (رب): Meaning the One and Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner, Organizer, Planner, Master, Sustainer, Provider, Cherisher, and Giver of Security
• There are two types of guidance: Guidance of Taufiq which is solely from Allah ﷻ and Guidance of Irshad which is guidance through dawah.
• All three types of Tawhid are included: Tawhid Ar-Ruboobiyyah (oneness of divine Lordship), Tawhid Al-Uloohiyyah (oneness of divinity) and Tawhid Al-Asma’ Wa’s-Sifaat (oneness of the divine names and attributes).
• “The Opening of the Book, the Essence of the Qur’an, the seven oft-recited verses, the complete healing, the beneficial remedy, the perfect ruqyah, the key to independence of means and success, the preserver of strength, that wards off worry, distress, fear and grief, is for the one who appreciates its value and gives it its due, and tries to apply it in the proper manner to treat his sickness, and knows how to seek healing and treat sickness with it.” -Ibn Al-Qayyim
