# Surah Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة) | UK Prayer Times

> Surah Al-Fatiha: The Opening. Surah al-Fatiha is the opening chapter of the Qur'an and is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of every prayer.

*Source: https://prayer-times.co.uk/surah/al-fatiha · Page updated: 2026-07-17 · Independent, free UK prayer times.*

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Surah 1 of 114

# Surah Al-Fatiha

Quick Answer

Surah Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة) is Surah 1 of the Quran — The Opening, 7 verses, meccan. UK Prayer Times provides the Arabic text, transliteration and English translation for each verse.

Last updated 17 July 2026

الفاتحة

The Opening · 7 verses · Meccan

Surah al-Fatiha is the opening chapter of the Qur'an and is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of every prayer. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 'There is no prayer for the one who does not recite al-Fatiha' (Sahih al-Bukhari 756). It is also called Umm al-Kitab — the Mother of the Book.

Virtues & Benefits

-   The greatest surah in the Qur'an according to Sahih al-Bukhari 4474.
-   Pillar of every salah — the prayer is incomplete without it.
-   A direct conversation between the servant and Allah (Sahih Muslim 395).

When to read

-   Recited in every rak'ah of every obligatory and voluntary prayer.
-   Used as a healing supplication (ruqyah) for the sick.
-   A complete dua in itself — guidance, gratitude and submission in seven verses.

## Verses (7)

1

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

2

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Alhamdu lillahi Rabbi l-'alamin

All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds.

3

الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Ar-Rahmani r-Rahim

The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

4

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Maliki yawmi d-din

Master of the Day of Judgement.

5

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in

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

6

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Ihdina s-sirata l-mustaqim

Guide us along the Straight Path —

7

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Sirata lladhina an'amta 'alayhim ghayri l-maghdubi 'alayhim wa la d-dallin

the path of those You have blessed — not those You are angry with, nor those who are astray.

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