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The Fatiha is the first Surah, or chap[ter, of the Qur'an. It is also a part of every ritual prayer. Now, for the Muslim this text is only recited in Arabic, but here is the text in a translation, or interpretation in English.

In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful:
Praise be to God, the Lord of the Universe.
The Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful.

King of the Day of Judgment.
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help
Guide us to the straight path;
The path of those whom you have blessed, not of those who have deserved anger, nor of those who stray.

This text is so significant I'd like to go over it carefully and expound on some of the prfound truths contained therein.

In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful:
The Most Merciful, the Ever Merciful.
King of the Day of Judgment.

The first verses of the Qur'an is very familiar; it is often repeated at the beginning of Surahs. It is important to recall, in prayer or in study, the most crucial nature of God. You see, in tradition, God has 100 names, only 99 of which are known to humans. "The Most Beneficent" and "The Most Merciful" are two of those names. Now remember that these are imperfect interpretations of the Arabic words; they are approximations of the true meaning.

It is important to begin by remembering that God wants only good for us, and that we are without hope except in His compassion. We need to remind ourselves at the opening of prayer that we are dependant on God's mercy and his goodness. We also need to recall that judgment awaits us all, and that we must live our lives as if in a race for God's good grace.

You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help

This is the core verse of the opening. In it we are guided to recall that we are monotheists. Human beings are built to worship, it is our vital function, and we all worship something. Many in today's world worship wealth, sex, technology, television. This verse reminds us that our worship should only be directed to the One true and Living God. Only God can guide us, mold us, help us, save us, and finally rescue us.

Guide us to the straight path;
The path of those whom you have blessed, not of those who have deserved anger, nor of those who stray.

The end of the opening is difficult, but very important. In translation, these verses lose something of their impact and their immediacy, but let that go. These verses teach us that there are three paths in life: a path leading to paradise, and two paths leading to damnation.

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