An ‘Introduction’ given by Abdullah Yusuf Ali is reproduced below:
"First comes that beautiful Surah,
The Opening Chapter of Seven Verses,
Rightly called the Essence of the Book,
It teaches us the Perfect Prayer,
For if we can pray aright, it means
That we have some knowledge of Allah,
And His Attributes, of His relations
To us and His creation, which includes
Ourselves; that we glimpse the source
From which we come, and that final goal
Which is our spiritual destiny.
Under Allah's true judgement: then
We offer ourselves to Allah and seek His light.

"Prayer is the heart of Religion and Faith
But how shall we pray? What words shall convey
The yearnings of our miserable ignorant hearts
To the Knower of all? Is it worthy of Him
Or of our spiritual nature to ask
For vanities, or even for such physical needs
As our daily bread? The Inspired One
Taught us a Prayer that sums up our Faith,
Our hope, and our aspiration in things that matter
We think in devotion of Allah's Name and His Nature;
We praise Him for His creation and His cherishing care;
We call to mind the Realities, seen and unseen;
We offer Him worship and ask His guidance;
And we know the straight from the crooked path
By the light of His Grace that illumines the righteous."