Names of Surah Al-Fatiha

This is the first chapter of Quran. Al-Fatiha means the opening. Surah Was Revealed in Makkah and Madinah.

Surah Al-Fatiha is also known by several other names, such as:

1. Sab’ul Mathani (The Seven Repeated Verses)

2. Al-Hamd (The Praise)

3. Ummul-Qur’an (The Mother of the Qur’an)

4. Ummul-Kitab (The Mother of the Book)

5. Ak-Salat (The Salah or prayer)

6. Al-Kanz (The Treasure)

7. Ash-Shifa (The Cure)

The explanations of these names are found in the following hadiths and verses from the Qur’an.

Sab’ul Mathani (The Seven Repeated Verses)

The name Sab’ul Mathani is mentioned in Surah Al-Hijr, verse 87:

وَإِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ سَبْعًا مِّنَ الْمَثَانِي وَالْقُرْآنَ الْعَظِيمَ

“And We have certainly given you, [O Muhammad], seven of the often repeated [verses] and the great Qur’an.” (Qur’an 15:87)

This verse highlights the significance of Surah Al-Fatiha and confirms that it is referred to as Sab’ul Mathani (The Seven Repeated Verses).

Al-Hamd (The Praise), Ummul-Qur’an (The Mother of the Qur’an), and Ummul-Kitab (The Mother of the Book)

These three names are mentioned in the following hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ أُمُّ القُرْآنِ وَأُمُّ الكِتَابِ وَالسَّبْعُ المَثَانِي وَالقُرْآنُ العَظِيمُ

Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA): The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin (Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds) is Ummul-Qur’an, Ummul-Kitab, Sab’ul Mathani, and Al-Qur’an Al-Azim.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3124)

This hadith clarifies that Surah Al-Fatiha is known by these four names. The phrase الحمد لله رب العالمين (Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin) refers specifically to Surah Al-Fatiha, which begins with words of praise for Allah.

As-Salat (The Prayer)

The name As-Salat is mentioned in the following hadith:

قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى: قَسَمْتُ الصَّلَاةَ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَبْدِي نِصْفَيْنِ، وَلِعَبْدِي مَا سَأَلَ

Allah the Almighty said: “I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant shall have what he asks for.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 395)

This hadith refers to Surah Al-Fatiha as As-Salat (The Prayer) because it is recited in every unit of the prayer (Salah), emphasizing its fundamental role in worship.

Al-Kanz (The Treasure)

The name Al-Kanz (The Treasure) is found in the following narration:

إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ رَاهَوَيْهِ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِنَّ هَذِهِ السُّورَةَ نَزَلَتْ مِنْ كَنْزٍ تَحْتَ العَرْشِ.

Ishaq bin Rahwayh reported from Ali (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “This Surah was revealed from a treasure beneath the Throne.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 7833)

This hadith signifies the high value and divine origin of Surah Al-Fatiha.

Ash-Shifa (The Cure)

The name Ash-Shifa (The Cure) is mentioned in the following hadith:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: “أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الْفَاتِحَةِ؟ إِنَّهَا أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ وَهِيَ الشِّفَاءُ”.

Abu Huraira (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Have you not seen Al-Fatiha? Indeed, it is Ummul-Kitab and it is a cure.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3789)

This hadith confirms that Surah Al-Fatiha is a source of spiritual and physical healing.