بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿1﴾الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿2﴾

﴾1﴿ Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem
﴾2﴿ Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen

﴾1﴿ Exclusively in the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate towards all and especially Merciful (we seek help from Him in all needs and conditions).
﴾2﴿ All the attributes of divinity are exclusive to Allah, who is the Lord and Sustainer of all the worlds.

This surah is the first surah in the written order of the Quran, and it is Makki.
“Makki” refers to surahs that were revealed before the Prophet’s migration.
The commentators have mentioned twenty names for this surah.
Its famous name is Al-Fatiha, as it is the opening of the Noble Quran and the opening of every rak’ah of prayer is with this surah.
Another name is Umm al-Quran, meaning that the objectives and fundamentals of the Quran are gathered in it.
In detail, this surah contains five types of tawhid: tawhid of essence, tawhid of lordship, tawhid of names, tawhid of divinity, and tawhid of command and legislation.
Likewise, it includes five types of knowledge: knowledge of the divine essence, knowledge of the attributes of Allah the Exalted, knowledge of the rights of Allah the Exalted, knowledge of the way that leads to the rights of Allah the Exalted, and knowledge of the people of the path and their opponents.
Similarly, there are five names of Allah the Exalted in it: Allah, Lord, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, and the Sovereign.
And it contains the refutation of seven misguided sects: all polytheists, Qadariyyah, Jabriyyah, Murji’ah, Rafidi Shia, all innovators, and Jahmiyyah.
Claim of this surah: Affirmation of the attributes of divinity (being God) exclusively for Allah the Exalted is expressed by the phrase “Al-hamdu lillah” (All praise belongs to Allah).

Summary of the surah: First, there is a claim.
Second, there are three evidences.
Third, the result is performing worship along with monotheism and steadfastness.
Fourth, teaching how to ask for guidance and steadfastness in supplication.
Fifth, mentioning these three groups.

[1] In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
The “Bā’” is for seeking help.
“Allah” is the proper name for the Divine Being in whom all attributes of perfection are combined.
“The Most Compassionate” is the One whose blessings in this world are universal and who grants the greatest favors.
“The Most Merciful” is the One who bestows special blessings and mercy upon His chosen servants in this world and the Hereafter.
Mentioning the attributes of mercy when seeking help is highly appropriate, so these qualities are specifically stated.
The phrase “in the name of” has an implied attachment, but after it, to show exclusivity, it means that we seek help exclusively with the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful, in every matter and at all times.
Specifically, when starting the recitation of the Quran in this manner, it is a rejection of associating others in seeking help.
This is the essence of the religion of Islam and the objective of all divine scriptures.
[2] “All praise is due to Allah.”
This is the central claim of this surah, and it appears at the beginning of five surahs: Surah al-An‘am, Surah al-Kahf, Surah Saba, and Surah Fatir.
In several other places in the Noble Quran, this phrase is also mentioned.
In Arabic, “praise” linguistically means to describe with admirable qualities, and in Quranic terminology, it is to praise Allah with those attributes that Allah has mentioned for Himself in the Noble Quran and that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and give him peace) has explained in hadiths.
The summary of these attributes is: (1) absolute control, management, and authority, (2) knowledge of everything, whether unseen or present, what has happened and what will happen (mā kāna mā yakūn).
These are called the attributes of divinity.
“For Allah” — the “lām” indicates exclusivity, meaning these divine attributes belong solely to Allah.
No one shares these with Him—not a prophet, saint, angel, jinn, spiritual guide, or anyone among creation.
In this way, this statement is a refutation of all forms of shirk and all groups of polytheists.
“Lord of the worlds” is the first proof for the central claim of this surah, and even the polytheists acknowledged this attribute of Allah, as mentioned in Surah al-Mu’minun, verses 86 and 87.
The word “Lord” comes from “tarbiyyah,” meaning to gradually nurture something to its perfection.
Nurturing includes two main principles: first, providing the means of life for upbringing, and second, producing effects through those means of upbringing.
No one except Allah can perform these actions, so this attribute is exclusive to Him.
“Lord” in Arabic has many meanings, some of which are used in the Quran: master, owner, reformer, benefactor, ruler, one with authority, nurturer, and object of worship.
“The worlds” is the plural of “world.” It refers to all existences except Allah and has many types, which is why it is mentioned in plural form.
Its explanation is given in Surah al-Shu‘ara, verses 24, 26, and 28.