The Spiritual Significance of Surah Al-Fatihah: Seeking Allah’s Love and Guidance
Discourse of His Eminence Pir Sahib, may Allah have mercy on him,
delivered on 14th February 1987
Discourse # 78
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
فَنِعۡمَ الۡمَوۡلٰی وَ نِعۡمَ النَّصِیۡرُ
رَبِِّ اشۡرَحۡ لِیۡ صَدۡرِیۡ وَیَسِّرۡ لِیۡۤ اَمۡرِیۡ وَ احۡلُلۡ عُقۡدَۃً مِّنۡ لِّسَانِیۡ یَفۡقَہُوۡاقَوۡلِیۡ
اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِ عَلٰی سَیّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰی اٰلِ سَیِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍوَّعَلٰی اَصْحَابِہٖ وَعَلٰی اَذْوَاجِہٖ اَجْمَعِیْنَ وَبَارِکْ وَسَلِمْ وَصَلِ عَلَیْہٖ
اَ لْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ
The Almighty Allah be praised that the Master of All Sovereignty once again granted us today the opportunity to gather in His remembrance and pleasure. Millions and billions of blessings and salutations upon the Leader of the Prophets, the Beloved of Allah, Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa, peace and blessings be upon him, through whom this grace has been granted.
Respected listeners! Allah Almighty has included Surah Al-Fatihah in the Holy Quran. This Surah has several meanings, one of which is that Allah Almighty has taught humanity the method of supplication through it. He has then instructed us to ask Allah Almighty for the Straight Path, followed by guidance to seek the companionship of those who follow the Straight Path. In other words, He has taught us to express our need.
Since the complete method of becoming a true servant of Allah Almighty has been taught in this Surah, its recitation has been made obligatory several times a day; that is, prayer cannot be performed without it. By reciting it repeatedly, in addition to receiving its immense blessings and benefits, a person continues to remember and learn what is required to become a true human being. In this way, one continues to strive against the lower self and Satan, who seek to make a person heedless at every moment, and remains prepared at all times to confront them.
To make a supplication, it is essential first to praise Allah Almighty and then send blessings upon the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family.
It is mentioned in a Hadith that the correct method of making supplication is to remember Allah Almighty first, then send blessings upon the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and thereafter make supplication. In this way, the supplication is accepted.
All praise be to Allah, for this is the very method followed in this gathering, where these blessed supplications are recited.
What should we ask for in our supplications? Bread, clothing, children, and a house? These are merely ordinary things, sources of grief and worry, and, in times of hardship, means that can lead to misguidance. These are human needs. The One who created us has already taken responsibility for fulfilling these needs.
Allah has taught us in Surah Al-Fatihah to ask for the Straight Path, so that by following it, we may attain honor and distinction, achieve success, and benefit from all the blessings that our Master has prepared for us in both religion and worldly life.
The point to understand is which way constitutes the Straight Path, because the fundamental difficulty is that all human beings who go astray in this world do so because of Satan and the lower self. The followers of Satan and the lower self have misled people by presenting their own path as the Straight Path. Therefore, Allah has also instructed us to seek the companionship of those who attained their goals and achieved success by following the Straight Path. We should ask to follow their example and seek refuge from the companionship of those who have strayed and gone astray.
This is because two things are essential for human welfare and reform: first, the Book of Allah, which contains the laws and methods governing every aspect of life; and second, the Rijal Allah (men of Allah), who have followed these teachings, achieved success, and become capable of guiding others.
Another point is essential here: such people, that is, the Rijal Allah, must follow the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family. Anyone who acts even slightly against the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, must be avoided as one would avoid deadly poison, even if that person were to fly in the sky.
This gathering has been established for the purpose of praising and glorifying Allah Almighty, sending blessings upon the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, and then seeking Allah Almighty’s help, kindness, and the Straight Path. It is also intended to seek those blessings that are reserved for the servants of Allah and to seek refuge from such ways and practices as incur His displeasure.
Therefore, while reciting these supplications, keep this plea in your heart:
“O Lord of all the worlds! Hundreds of thousands and millions of thanks are due to You for granting us the ability to receive Your guidance and love. O Lord of the Kingdom! Now grant us the Straight Path that leads to attaining Your pleasure and love, keep us steadfast upon it, and count us among Your chosen servants on the Day of Judgment.”
Now, let us begin.
بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
The blessed Aurad-e-Naziriyah were recited, and supplication was made.
