I
first thought of trying to write an article or a brief commentary
on Al-Faatihah on July 10, 2000, but couldn’t make any
progress. It always pinched me that I had not fulfilled my
`covenant’ in this regard. Ultimately, with the Blessings
and Guidance of Allah, in all humility, I started the humble
effort of compiling this book, on January 31, 2003, after
I was made O.S.D. (Officer on Special Duty) on January 14,
2003. One of my colleagues, by way of encouragement, interpreted
this as an `opportunity’ provided by Allah Subhaanahuu
wa-ta’Alaa to accomplish some righteous work in His
Way. Allah The Ever-All Gracious, The Ever All-Merciful made
it all easy. I gave the first draft to Professor Muhammad
Yusuf Shaikh, Principal, Cadet College, Larkana, on May 11,
2003. A day after, notification of my promotion to BS-22,
and then posting orders were issued with the Blessings of
Allah. It seems, now, that this period of `paid holiday’
was arranged by Allah Almighty as a special favour to take
up this task exclusively and accomplish with peace of mind!
Alhamdulillaah!
It took another
about three months to finalize the draft and yet additional
about six months to prepare its glossary, index, bibliography,
contents; make corrections and complete many other related
finishing touches.
This book is a modest attempt to collect some
material for research into Al-Faatihah. Most of the material
could have been further condensed and précis presented
in own words. But mostly it has been reproduced, because of
following considerations: (i) importance of the statements
and references, (ii) special position and stature of the author,
(iii) degree of authenticity, (iv) variety of opinions, (v)
argument, expression and articulation.
The book does not provide close ended answers.
It rather encourages inquisitive mind and increases quest
for observation, exploration, reflection and reasoning. It
does not quench thirst. It increases it.
There may appear to be
repetition of some explanations and verses. It is due to the
fact that generally one verse contains more than one subject
or argument. It is also a fact that there are many verses
on the same subject, but covering different points or aspects
in the argument.
Furthermore,
an attempt has been made to explain the subject matter from
different approaches and perspectives, e.g. philosophy, logic,
science, etc. In spite of this, many issues have not been
explained or elaborated in detail, because of limitations
of the subject matter of this book.
Bibliography, Glossary, General Index and Content-Index
are given at the end of the book.
Material on different issues or subjects has been
compiled or written in such a manner that each can be made
out into separate and short note or article. Many of them
have not been fully elaborated because of considerations of
subject and volume of the book.
Different statements and views of various authors
and scholars have been reproduced and arranged in a manner
that they present a sort of interconnected discourse or discussion
on the subject.
Translations of holy verses have not been given from one,
but different translators.
