1. Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
The Opening
1. Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
2. Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
[All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds -
3. Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
4. Maaliki Yawmid-Deen
مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
5. Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
6. Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Guide us to the straight path -
7. Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa lad-daaalleen
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
One of the many practices taught by Islam is that its followers should begin their activities in the name of God.
The character of this surah is that of a prayer. The prayer begins with praise of the One to whom our prayer is addressed.