الفاتحة
A short prayer that opens the Quran. Every Muslim recites Al-Fatiha 17 times a day, in every rakat of every prayer.
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Master 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 You have blessed, not of those who earned anger, nor of those who went astray.
About Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha is called "The Opening" because it opens the Quran. It is the most repeated surah in Islam: every Muslim recites it at least 17 times every day, in every rakat of every prayer. Without it, the prayer is not complete.
It's a short, beautiful conversation with Allah: praising Him, asking Him for help, and asking Him to show us the right way to live.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that Al-Fatiha is so important, Allah Himself called it the greatest surah in the Quran.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book." Once you know Al-Fatiha, you have the heart of the prayer.
Learn how to pray one rakat →Surahs often paired with Al-Fatiha
After reciting Al-Fatiha, Muslims often follow it with another short surah. These three are the most common companions:
For Parents
What does Al-Fatiha mean?
Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة) means "the opening" or "the opener." It is the very first surah in the Quran and the very first surah every Muslim child learns.
It is called "the opening" because it opens the Quran and opens every prayer.
How long is Surah Al-Fatiha?
Al-Fatiha is seven verses long. It takes about 30 to 45 seconds to recite calmly.
It is short enough that most children can memorize it within a few weeks of regular listening.
Why do Muslims recite Al-Fatiha in every prayer?
Al-Fatiha is the heart of every prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that there is no prayer without it.
Muslims recite it in every rakat (unit) of every prayer, which means at least 17 times every day.
How many times a day do Muslims recite Al-Fatiha?
Muslims recite Al-Fatiha at least 17 times every day, once in every rakat of every daily prayer.
The five daily prayers have 17 rakat total: Fajr has 2, Dhuhr has 4, Asr has 4, Maghrib has 3, and Isha has 4. Sunnah and Nafl prayers add even more.
What are the other names of Al-Fatiha?
Al-Fatiha is known by several names. The most common are Umm al-Kitab (Mother of the Book), As-Sab'a al-Mathani (The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses), and Ash-Shifa (The Cure).
Each name reflects a quality of the surah: its central importance, its repetition in every prayer, or the tradition that it brings healing.
When was Surah Al-Fatiha revealed?
Surah Al-Fatiha was revealed in Mecca, in the early years of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) prophethood.
It is one of the earliest complete surahs revealed in the Quran. From the very beginning, it became part of every Muslim's daily prayer.
What is the easiest way for a child to learn Al-Fatiha?
Listening is the most powerful way. Play Al-Fatiha audio often, during car rides, before bed, while playing. Children absorb the rhythm and sounds naturally.
After a while, recite one verse out loud and let your child echo it back. Most kids can recite Al-Fatiha within a few weeks of regular listening.
Is Al-Fatiha a prayer or a chapter of the Quran?
Both. Al-Fatiha is a chapter (surah) of the Quran, but its content is itself a short prayer asking Allah for guidance.
That is part of what makes it special: the heart of the Quran is itself a conversation with Allah.