Quran

Sūrah 1: al-Fātihah[1]
1. In the name of God,[2] the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [3]

2. [All] praise is [due] to God, Lord [4] of the worlds –

3. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,

4. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. [5]

5. It is You we worship and You we ask for help.

6. Guide us to the straight path –

7. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

---

1. Al-Fātihah: The Opening (of the Qur’ān). Note: Sūrah titles are not an integral part of the Qur’ān. A distinguishing word in a particular sūrah or a word defining its subject matter often became a common means of identification among the Prophet's companions and later scholars. Although some names, such as al-Fātihah, were used by the Prophet in reference to a particular sūrah, they were not specifically designated by him as titles.
2- God, Creator and Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is within them, the Eternal and Absolute, to whom alone all worship is due.
3- Ar-Rahmān and ar-Raheem are two names of God derived from the word “rahmāh” (mercy). In Arabic grammar both are intensive forms of “merciful” (i.e., extremely merciful). A complimentary and comprehensive meaning is intended by using both together. Rahmān is used only to describe God, while raheem might be used to describe a person as well. The Prophet was described in the Qur’ān as raheem. Rahmān is above the human level (i.e., intensely merciful). Since one usually understands intensity to be something of short duration, God describes Himself also as raheem (i.e., continually merciful). Rahmān also carries a wider meaning - merciful to all creation. Justice is a part of this mercy. Raheem includes the concept of speciality - especially and specifically merciful to the believers. Forgiveness is a part of this mercy. (See al-Qurtubī’s al-Jāmi’u li Ahkāmil-Qur’ān, pp.103-107.) However we will incorporate the translation henceforth, ‘In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful’
4- When referring to God, the Arabic term “rabb” (translated as “Lord”) includes all of the following meanings: “owner, master, ruler, controller, sustainer, provider, guardian and caretaker.”
5- i.e., repayment and compensation for whatever was earned of good or evil during life on this earth.