One Thing to Ask For

﴿اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ﴾

Guide us to the straight path – (Quran 1:6)

Amen.

Five times a day in our prayer, we repeat Surat Al-Fatihah two, three, or even four times. How many times do we realize that we are reciting perhaps the most prominent chapter in the Holy Quran? How many times have we realized that our lips are speaking the “greatest, wisest, most comprehensive supplication we can ever make”? (Al-Kharraz, pg. 18) Standing there in prayer, quickly whispering the Opening Chapter, have you ever comprehended that you are making the most eloquent supplication?

Upon reciting this chapter you are utilizing the etiquette of supplication (Al-Kharraz, pg. 18). You begin your supplication in His name, the most Merciful. Praising Him, Lord of the worlds. Recognizing His most prominent attribute, His mercy. Acknowledging His sovereignty on the Day of Recompense. Affirming that we worship Him and ask Him for Help. Finally, after glorifying Him, we make our request. In fact, the purpose of Surat Al-Fatihah itself is to make this one appeal (Islamiyyat, pg. 41), to ask for one thing, Guidance, guidance on His straight path. Guidance on His path so that we are granted His favor rather than being led astray and stricken with His anger. (Quran 1:1-7)

We repeat Surat Al-Fatihah several times a day because we are kindly, humanely, and compassionately asking for the most imperative element we are in need of in this life, guidance, which only comes from Him (Islamiyyat, pg. 40). Guidance “which helps us worship Him like we should” (Al-Kharraz, pg. 18), guidance to do the right thing, to live the right way, “to provide us with comfort and peace” (Islamiyyat, pg. 41). 

Life has taught us that we are helpless without Allah's instruction, thus we continuously ask Him for guidance . The Opening Chapter is read perhaps endlessly during our lives because we can never get enough of Allah’s guidance and we need it at all times, onto His straight path and guidance throughout the entire path (Islamiyyat, pg. 40). His guidance begins by initiating our faith, faith that embarks on believing in Allah and His messenger ﷺ and by affirming that it is to Him we belong and to Him we will return. Guidance that leads us to His path and throwing behind you this world for Him, for His eternal satisfaction, to gain His pleasure, and to be granted heaven in the hereafter (Al-Kharraz, pg. 18). Everything you do as you trek this trail will be for His sake, and everything you stumble upon will be from Him for a determined reason. He will help you stroll this path and will provide you with the assistance you need to keep you going. Even after gaining guidance onto the straight path, we still ask Him for guidance and continue to repeat the supplication of Surat Al-Fatihah because we are still at the mercy of His guidance. It is His guidance that allows us to remain firm and steadfast on the path in this world. It is His guidance that strengthens our faith and gives us with the ability to earn a bounty of good deeds in this world. And it is His guidance that keeps us firm on the path in this world and allows us to remain firm on the path in the next life. (Al-Kharraz, pg. 19)

Next time you recite Surat Al-Fatihah, recite it with a humble heart and plead for guidance onto the straight path sincerely. Redefine your life, renew your goals, and reset your priorities to the ultimate purpose of life, guidance onto the straight path. On the straight path He will provide you with all that you need, He will grant you guidance towards happiness, relief, and most importantly peace, regardless of what life throws in your way. 

Image courtesy of @tazawadoo

 

References:

Al-Kharraz, Mishari. Love of Allah: Experience the Beauty of Salah (Part I). www.quranproject.org

Tafsir and Tadabur of Surat Al-Fatihah Album. Retrieved from Islamiyyat page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.934054279949850.1073741919.490473380974611&type=3