As Sab’ul Mathaani السبع
المثانى
والقران
(The Seven Oft Repeated Verses of Glorious Qur’aan)
By: Shahid Bin Waheed
شاهد
بن وحيد
بسم
الله الرحمن
الرحيم
الحمدلله
رب العالمين
والصلوة
والسلام على اشرف
الانبياء
وسيدالمرسلين
نبينا محمد صل
ا لله عليه
وعلى آله واصحابه
وازواجه
اجمعين -
امابعد
All the praises and the thanks be to Allaah, Sustainer
of the Universe, and blessing and salutation to be the most
distinguish of the Messengers and foremost among the Prophets, our Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of
Allaah be on him and on his wives, children and Companions.
The first
Surah (chapter) of Glorious Qur’aan is known as Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه to most people, but it is also called and/or referred as,
بِسْمِ
اللَّهِ
الرَّحْمَنِ
الرَّحِيمِ (1)
الْحَمْدُ
لِلَّهِ
رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
(2)
الرَّحْمَنِ
الرَّحِيمِ (3)
مَالِكِ
يَوْمِ
الدِّينِ (4)
إِيَّاكَ
نَعْبُدُ
وَإِيَّاكَ
نَسْتَعِينُ
(5) اهْدِنَا
الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
(6) صِرَاطَ
الَّذِينَ
أَنْعَمْتَ
عَلَيْهِمْ
غَيْرِ
الْمَغْضُوبِ
عَلَيْهِمْ
وَلَا
الضَّالِّينَ
(7)
◊ Faatihatul Kitaab (The Opening of the Book)
◊ Faattihatul Qur’aan (The Introduction of the Qur’aan)
◊ Ummul Kitaab (The Mother of the Book)
◊ Ummul Qur’aan (The Mother of the Qur’aan)
◊ Suratul Munajaat (The Chapter of Supplication)
◊ Suratus Suwaal (The Chapter of Entreaty)
◊ Suratul Hamd (The Chapter of Praise)
◊ Suratus Shukr (The Chapter of Gratitude)
◊ As’ Sab’ul
Mathaani (The Seven Oft Repeated Ayaat {Verses})
Allaah (SWT) has mentioned in Ayaah 87 of Surah Hijr,
Surah Al-Hijr 87
And
indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al-Mathâni (seven
repeatedly recited Verses), (i.e. Sűrat Al-Fâtihah )
and the Grand Qur’ân. {1}
{1} (V.15: 87) See the footnote of (V.1: 2).
Surah Al-Faatihah 2
الْحَمْدُ
لِلَّهِ
رَبِّ
الْعَالَمِينَ
(2)
All
the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord {1}
of the ‘Âlamîn (mankind, jinn and all
that exists). {2}
{1} (V.1: 2) Lord: The actual word used in the Qur’ân
is Rabb
There is no proper equivalent for Rabb in English
language.
It means the One and the Only Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Owner,
Organizer, Provider, Master, Planner, Sustainer, Cherisher, and Giver of
security. Rabb is also one of the Names of Allâh. We have used the
word "Lord" as the nearest to Rabb. All occurrences of
"Lord" in the interpretation of the meanings of the Noble Qur’ân
actually mean Rabb and should be understood as such.
{2} (V.1: 2). Narrated Abu Sa‘îd bin Al-Mu‘alla: While
I was praying in the mosque, Allâh’s Messenger صلى
الله عليه وسلم called me but I did not respond to him.
Later I said, "O Allâh’s Messenger, I was praying." He said,
"Didn’t Allâh say - Answer Allâh (by obeying Him) and His Messenger when
he صلى الله
عليه وسلم calls you." (V.8: 24). He then said to me, "I will
teach you a Sűrah which is the greatest Sűrah in the Qur’ân, before you leave
the mosque." Then he got hold of my hand, and when he intended to leave
(the mosque), I said to him, "Didn’t you say to me, "I will teach you
a Sűrah
which is
the greatest Sűrah in the Qur’an?" He said, " Al-Hamdu lillahi
Rabbil-‘âlamîn (i.e. all the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Âlamîn
(mankind, jinn and all that exists)), Sűrat Al-Fâtihah which is As-Sab‘ Al-Mathâni (i.e. the seven repeatedly
recited Verses) and the Grand Qur’ân which has been given to me." (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.6, Hadîth No. 1).
In Sahih Bikhari صحيح
بخارى
we read,
3-CHAPTER: The
saying of Allah (the Exalted and Almighty): -
And
indeed We have bestowed upon you the seven Al-Mathani (oft repeated Verses)
Sura-al-Fatihah and the grand Qur'an».
[4703]
Abu Sa'id Al-Mualla narrated: While I was praying, the Prophet (The blessing and
peace of Allah be upon him) passed by and called me, but I did not go to him
till I had finished my prayer. When I went to him, he said, «What prevented you
from coming?» I said, «I was praying». He said, «Didn't Allah say, O you who
believe! Answer the call of Allah (by obeying Him) and to His Apostle». (8:24)
Then he added, «Shall I tell you the most superior Sura in the Qur'an before I
go out of the mosque?» When the Prophet (The blessing and peace of Allah be
upon him) was going to go out (of the Mosque), I reminded him and he said,
«That is: Alhamdu-lillahi Rabbil -Alamin (
[4704]
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: Allah's Apostle (The
blessing and peace of Allah be upon him) said: «The Umm (substance) of the
Qur'an is the seven oft-repeated verses (Al-Mathani) and is the Great Qur'an
(i.e. Surat-al-Fatiha).
In Sahih Muslim صحيح
مسلم
we read,
Chapter 11
THE RECITING OF AL - FATIHA IN EVERY BOW OF PRAYER IS OBLIGATORY
[394] Ubada b. As - Samit reported from the Apostle of Allah (may
peace be upon him): He who does not recite Fatihat al - Kitab (opening of the
Book) is not credited as a prayer.
[394R1] Ubada b. - Samit reported: The Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) said: He who does not recite Umm Al- Qur'an has not credited
a prayer.
[394R2] Mahmud b. Al - Rabi, on whose face the Messenger of Allah
(may peace be upon him) squirted water from the well, reported on the authority
of Ubada b. As - Samit that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)
said: He who does not recite Umm Al- Qur'an has not credited a prayer.
[394R3] This hadith has also been transmitted by Ma'mar from Al -Zuhri
with the same chain of transmitters with the addition of these words: «and
something more.
[395] Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: If anyone prays in which he does not recite Umm al - Qur'an, it
is deficient [he said this three times] and not complete. It was said to Abu
Huraira: At times we are behind the Imam. He said: Recite it inwardly, for he
had heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) declare that Allah the
Exalted had said: I have divided the, prayer into two halves between Me and My
servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Most High says: My
servant has praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of
Judgement, He remarks: My servant has glorified me, and sometimes He would say:
My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshipper) says:
Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is between
Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he
(the worshipper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom
Thou hast been Gracious - not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor
of those who have gone astray. He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My
servant will receive what he asks for. Sufyan said:
[395R2] It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that he had
heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) saying: He who prayed but
he did not recite the Umm Al -Qur'an in it, and the rest of the hadith is the
same as transmitted by Sufyan, and in this hadith the words are: «Allah, the
Most High said: The prayer is divided into two halves between Me and my
servant. The half of it is for Me and the half of it for my servant.
[395R3] Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: He who said his prayer, but did not recite the opening chapter
of the Holy Book, his prayer is incomplete. He repeated is incomplete. He
repeated it thrice.
[396] Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) said: One is not credited as a prayer without the recitation (of Al
-Fatiha). Abu Huraira said: (The prayer in which) the Messenger of Allah (may
peace be upon him) recited in aloud voice, we also recited that loudly for you
(and the prayer in which) he recited inwardly we also recited inwardly for you
(to give you a practical example of the prayer of the Holy Prophet).
[396R1] Ata narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira who
said that one should recite (al - Fatiha) in every (bow of) prayer. What we
heard (i.e. recitation) from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), we
made you listen to that. And that which he (recited) inwardly, we (recited)
inwardly for you. A man said to him: If I add nothing to the (recitation) of
the Umm al Qur'an (
[396R2] Ata reported it on the authority of Abu Huraira who said:
Recitation (of
[397] Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be
upon him) entered the mosque and a man also entered and prayed, and then came
and paid salutation to the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). The Messenger
of Allah (may peace be upon him) returned his salutation and said: Go back and
pray, for you have not offered the prayer. He again prayed as he had prayed
before, and came to the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and saluted
him. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) returned the salutation and
said: Go back and say prayer, for you have not offered the prayer. This (act of
repeating the prayer) was done three times. Upon this the person said: By Him
Who hast sent you with Truth, whatever better I can do than this, please teach
me. He (the Holy Prophet) said: When you get up to pray, recite takbir, and
then recite whatever you conveniently can from the Qur'an, then bow down and
remain quietly in that position, then raise yourself and stand erect; then
prostrate yourself and remain quietly in that attitude; then raise yourself and
sit quietly; and do that throughout All your prayers.
[397R1] Abu Huraira reported: A man entered the mosque and said
prayer while the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was sitting in a
corner (of the mosque), and the rest of the hadith is the same as mentioned
above, but with this addition: «When you get up to pray, perform the ablution
completely, and then turn towards the Qibla and recite takbir (Allah o Akbar
Allah is the Most Great).
Chapter
43
EXCELLENCE OF
[806] Ibn 'Abbas reported that while Gabriel was sitting
with the 'Apostle (SAW) he heard a creaking sound above him. He lifted his head
and said: This is a gate opened in heaven today, which had never been opened
before. Then when an angel descended through it, he said: This is an angel who
came down to the earth who had never come down but today. He greeted and said:
Rejoice in two lights given to you which have not been given to any prophet
before you: Fatihat Al-Kitab and the concluding verses of
[807]
'Abd el-Rahman b. Yazid reported: I met Abu Mas'ud near the House (Ka'ba) I
said to him: A hadith has been conveyed to me on your authority about the two
(concluding) verses of
[807R1]
This hadith has been narrated by Mansour with the same chain of transmitters.
[808]
Abu Mas'ud reported what Allah's Messenger (SAW) had said: If anyone recites
the two verses at the end of
[808R1]
A hadith like this has been narrated by Abu Mas'ud from the Apostle of Allah
(SAW) through another chain of transmitters.
[808R2]
It is through another chain of transmitters that this hadith has been reported
by Abu Mas'ud from the Apostle of Allah (SAW).
In Sunan Abu Dawud we read the following:
Chapter
501
ON RECITING SURAH AL-FATIHAH
[1452]
Abu Hurairah reported the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying:
All praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe" (Qur'an, i.) is the
epitome or basis of the Qur'an, the epitome or basis of the Book, and the
seven oft-repeated verses.
In Muwatta we read,
Yahya related to me from Malik from al-Ala ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn
Yaqub that Abu Said, the mawla of Amir ibn Kuraz told him that the Messenger of
Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, called to Ubayy ibn Kab while
he was praying. When Ubayy had finished his prayer he joined the Messenger of
Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the Messenger of Allah put
his hand upon his hand, and he was intending to leave by the door of the
mosque, so the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace,
said, "I hope that you will not leave the mosque until you know a sura
whose like Allah has not sent down in the Tawrah nor in the Injil nor in the
Qur'an." Ubayy said, "I began to slow down my pace in the hope of
that. Then I said, 'Messenger of Allah, the sura you promised me!' He said, 'What
do you recite when you begin the prayer?' I recited the Fatiha (Sura 1) until I
came to the end of it, and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and
grant him peace, said, 'It is this sura, and it is the "seven
oft-repeated" and the Great Qur'an which I was given.' "
Recitation of the Ta’awwudh
and Tasmiyyah.
Whenever a Muslim commences with the recitation of
Glorious Qur’aan, he and/or she must recite,
“I seek refuge with Allaah from Shaytaan, the
accursed”
This phrase is referred to as the Ta’awwudh. Allaah
says in Surah Nahl سورة
النحل,
Surah An-Nahl 98
So
when you want to recite the Qur’ân, seek refuge with Allâh from Shaitân (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one).
After reciting the Ta’awwudh, one should recite the Tasmiyyah,
i.e.,
In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most
Merciful
The
above Tasmiyyah should also always be recited before reciting all the
Surahs of Qur’aan with the exception of Surah Bara’ah (Surah Taubah {chapter
nine}) where the Tasmiyyah will not be recited after completing Surah Anfaal
and commencing Surah Taubah, which is the only Surah in the Qur’aan that does
not have Bismillah بسم
الله [Tasmiyyah].
Since
the entire Ummah is unanimous about the fact that Surah Al-Faatihah consists of
seven Ayaat (verses), let me quote Imaam Shafi’ee امام
شافعئ رحمة
الله
who said that بِسْمِ
اللَّهِ
الرَّحْمَنِ
الرَّحِيمِ forms the first of these seven Ayaat (verses).
In conclusion, let it be known that according to Glorious
Qur’aan, Sunnah and the unanimous aqeedah Muslim Ummah, seven oft-repeated
Ayaat (verses) always refers to the first chapter and/or Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه. Readers must know
that Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه (The Opening) has
been called the Glorious Qur’aan in the Ayaah 15:87,
which indicates that the Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه is, in a way, the whole Qur’aan- because
the basic principles of Islaam have been merged in it. As the above evidence establishes that Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه consists of seven oft-repeated Ayaat
(verses) since these Ayaat/verses are repeated in every Salah five times every
day by Muslims. In fact, Surah Al-Faatihah سورة
الفاتحه has been recited (or these seven
oft-repeated verses have been recited) more in the history of Islaam and/or
Muslims than Bible is read or recited in the history of thousands of years (of
Old Testament and New Testament combined).
Monday,
May 17, 2004