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would be seen that the very reference to the Israeli's Exodus
limits its scope from universality to a nationality! Furthermore
it is a group of verses from Deuteronomy and Numbers and not
a separate and complete `Surah’.
The recital of the `Lord's Prayer' may also be
seen. It is called `Paternoster'. In Latin it means `Our Father'.
It is recited very frequently, by Christians.
(viii) Validity of the Prayer:
Narrated Ubadah bin As-Saamit (Allah be pleased with him):
“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever does not recite Surat Al-Faatihah
in his prayer, his prayer is invalid”. [(Sahih Al-Bukhari,
Vol-I, Hadith No.723)- Dr M.M Khan & Dr Al-Hilali, The
Noble Quran, p.11.)]
(ix) It is `the oft-repeated'
Surah because it is recited in every Raka'ah" of every
prayer (salaah).
(x) All the seven verses
are inter-connected.
(xi) It is absolutely self-contained
and is couched in the most appropriate phraseology.
(xii) It can not be replaced
by any other Surah, in its obligatory recitation at the start
of the `Raka’ah.
(xiii) It is recited as a whole
Surah in the prayer and not recited partly as other Surahs
can be.
The Unique
Surah: Every word and expression used in this
Surah is unique in itself. It is a unique expression, articulation
and presentation of the Word, Universality of the Message
and Unity of Allah. All terminology and phraseology of Al-Faatihah
are unique, in word, letter and content. Following need detailed
study:
Al-Hamd: It is a unique term
that it is used for sincerely thankful praises for Only One
Allah Alone. `Hamd’ is not used for anyone or anything
created. It is used for The Creator-Sustainer Himself Alone.
'Hamd' is offered for something `real'
only, not imaginary, e.g., thankful praises for Providence,
Benevolence and beauty of all that exists in reality.
Lillaah: It means `for Only One
Allah Alone'. Allah is The Unique Name of Himself Alone. It
is not used for anyone or anything else. Worship-obedience-servitude-submission
are only and only for Him, none else. None and nothing is
in likeness unto Him
Rabb: It stands for the of Unity
of The Providence (Oneness of Rubuubiyah). When standing alone
(as here, without qualification), it is The Unique Name of
Allah Alone.
Al-Aalamiin: It is unique in
the sense that it is plural of the plural (Aalam). It stands
for unity of existence, unity of all creation, unity of all
mankind, unity in diversity and harmony in plurality.
Ar-Rahmaanir-Rahiim: The phrase
stands for the most intensive form of `Rahmah'. It is the
intensive-combination of the Attributes of Ar-Rahmaan and
Ar-Rahiim. The combination of both the terms, from the same
Attribute of `Rahmah’, which
covers and comprehends all other Attributes of Allah, present
its unique significance and intensity. Furthermore Ar-Rahmaan
is the unique Name of Allah Alone. It is not used for any
other creature.
Maalik: It has been categorically
clarified that on the Day of Judgement, Allah Himself will
be the Only One Alone Sovereign-Owner-King. All other titles
and commissions granted earlier during the tenure of the commission
on the planet (Earth), will completely be annulled and withdrawn.
`Maalik' is the unique Name of the
Only One Absolute Authority-Power-Judge-Ruler on that Day.
Yaum: It is not like the ordinary
day of the earth in the planetary system as at present. It
is the unique unit of time of the specific events taking place
on that Day . As `the Day', it is unique in itself, in terms
of present concepts of day and time of this world.
Ad-diin: It is the unique Diin,
distinct from all other `religions'. Particularly on that
Day, the Judgement will take place under `Ad-Diin' only. The
graphic descriptions of `the Day' make it more unique than
any and all other happenings and episodes during the whole
span of time, from the moment of creation till the Last Day.
All other names and descriptions of the already scheduled
programmes of that Day, also make it unique in the entire
`programming' done for the `Megaverse' [universe(s)] .
Iyyaaka: Multiple emphasis in
the term makes it an exclusive address to The Only One - `The
Unique One'- The Only Alone Allah Himself, in direct address
to Him. It manifests the Gracious Grace of the Most High Exalted
Allah that He has allowed such a direct personal petition
in communion!
Iyyaaka Na'-Budu: Unity and universality
of all worship-obedience-servitude-submission belongs to the
Only One Who deserves to be, aught to be, could be and should
be `Allah', and none-nothing-naught else.
Iyyaka Nastaiin: It is an appeal
to the Only One Supreme Source of strength and support that
creates, sustains and consigns all matter, energy, every force
and everything - all extant, extinct and existent.
Ihdinaa: For creation and creatures,
their existence and development, there is unity of command
and instruction, in the universe, from the Only One Guide.
He is in constant communication. He sustains develops and
carries forward all, at the same time and all the time, at
all places and planes of existence. He is the Only One guiding
and directing Force above the Mega-verse (all universes-creations).
In this phrase the collective prayer, by individuals, groups
and society, as a whole, accepts the universality of Guidance
and Unity of Command and Instruction for all, in all spheres
of life and existence.
Siraat-Al-Mustaqiim: It is the
unique and the only way. It is the only straight way. It is
the shortest.
Siraat-Allazziina An-Amta Alayhim:
Emphasis is repeated on the same and the only unique way.
It highlights unity in thought and action, of all, on the
only straight and right way - unity of conscious righteous
believers.
An-Amta-Alayhim: It portrays
unique kind of special favours done to the successful people,
individually and collectively, here and Here-after. It is
amazing to find in history that every one of them stands out
in character and role of righteousness and success. Collectively
also all of those are unique as a group, community and society.
Unique favours were done to every one and all of them. Just
take the example of each Prophet and his companions and followers.
Everyone appears to be uniquely outstanding - yet unity of
the Message continues, all along, unwavering and unchanging.
Ghayr:It makes unique distinction
by exclusion and exception from the process of excision. When
general and over whelming punishment or wrath descended, the
righteous, although a few, were specially saved as honourable
exception (Ghayr-il Maghdzuub Alayhim), while
all the wrong doers were swept away or uprooted or stoned
to death and destruction. They were clearly identified before
and during the wrath befell, e.g. Abraham (Peace be upon him)
was informed in advance about those who would be and those
who would not be saved. Noah (Peace be upon him) was clarified
about the doom of his son. Consider the unique style and precise
working of the systems of Allah! The agents of assistance
and help who descended, with His Command, from the heavens,
for the support of the believers in the battle of Badr were
identified, marked and declared as such, in advance, and their
would-be specific targets and tasks, were precisely assigned!(3-123
to 126).
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