Q: A man in Pakistan named Muhammad Amin claims that Surah Al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Qur’an) includes only two rulings. The first ruling ends with Allah’s saying (what means): Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 5 and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). The second, ends with Allah’s saying: Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 7 nor of those who went astray. The first contains the explanation of Tawhid (Monotheism) and the second contains the affirmation of imitation. Has this interpretation been confirmed by the Prophet (peace be upon him), his followers, or their successors? What book contains this exegesis? If the second part proves juristic imitation, was the Prophet (peace be upon him) - Allah forbid - following imitation? Is it permissible to interpret the Qur’an by analogy? Is a person who interprets the Qur’an according to his own opinion and reasoning, insisting on using his personal opinion in interpretation, a Muslim or not?

( Part No : 4,Page No:188)

 Please, answer me in light of the Qur’an and Sunnah. May Allah reward you.

A: First: Not only does Surah Al-Fatihah contain many rulings but it also sums up all the rulings stated in the Qur’an and thus it is called Umm-ul-Qur’an (the Mother of the Qur’an). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also called it by the name that Allah had given it: the Grand Qur’an,as related by Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Sa‘id ibn Al-Mu‘alla (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: While I was praying, the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by me and called me, but I did not go to him until I had finished the prayer. Then, I went to him, and he asked, “What prevented you from coming to me?” I said, “I was praying.” He said, “Did Allah not say:Surah Al-Anfal, 8: 24 O you who believe! Answer Allâh (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger ” Then he said, “Shall I tell you of the greatest Surah in the Qur’an before I leave the Masjid?” When the Prophet (peace be upon him) was about to leave the Masjid, I reminded him. He said: “Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 2 All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (i.e. Surah Al-Fatihah). It is Al-Sab‘-ul-Mathany (Seven Oft-repeated Ayahs) and the Grand Qur’an which has been given to me.” It is also relatedby Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Umm-ul-Qur’an (the Mother of the Qur’an: Surah Al-Fatihah), is the Seven Oft-repeated Ayahs and the Grand Qur’an. However numerous are the rulings contained in the Qur’an they are principally divided into three main divisions as stated in the Hadith Qudsy (Revelation from Allah in the Prophet’s words):

 (i) One is an absolute exclusive right belonging to Allah alone dictated in the first three Ayahs and includes Tawhid-ul-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Allah’s Lordship) and Tawhid-ul-Asma’ wal-Sifat (Oneness of Allah’s Names and Attributes) (ii) The second is an exclusive right of any worshipper of Allah in the Ayahs saying:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 6 Guide us to the Straight Way. Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 7 The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error). (iii) The third combines the Right of Allah and those of His servants in the Ayah saying:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 5 You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Both are called Tawhid-ul-‘Ibadah (Oneness of Worship). The evidence for this is the Hadithreported by Ahmad, Muslim, and the Compilers of Sunan (Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa’y and Ibn Majah)on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “I have divided the Salah (Prayer) between Myself and My servant, into two halves, and My servant shall have what he has asked for.” When the servant says:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 2 All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “My servant has thanked Me.” When he says:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 3 The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Allah, Glory be to Him, says, “My servant has praised Me.” When he says:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 4 The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) Allah says, “My servant has glorified Me.” When he says:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 5 You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). Allah says, “This is between Me and My servant and My servant shall have what he asks for.” When he says:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 6 Guide us to the Straight Way. Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 7 The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace , not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger (i.e. those who knew the Truth, but did not follow it) nor of those who went astray (i.e. those who did not follow the Truth out of ignorance and error). Allah says, “(All) this is for My servant and My servant shall have what he has asked for.” Thus, it becomes evident that the man is right in saying that from the beginning of Surah Al-Fatihah until

( Part No : 4,Page No:190)

 the Ayah:Surah Al-Fatihah, 1: 5 You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything). is about Tawhid (monotheism). Second: His claim that the rest of the Surah proves the legitimacy of imitation is not true. Such inference has no evidence to support it, for nothing - to our knowledge - was reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him), or any of his Companions or their followers to that effect. Moreover, citing these Ayahs in support of imitation is a kind of manipulation of the meaning intended and baseless ascription of false claims to Allah without knowledge. The Ayahs only teach servants how to supplicate the Lord and seek His Guidance to the Straight Path. They guide people to believe in Him by words and deeds, and avoid the path of those who incurred the Wrath of Allah; those who, after knowing the truth, have deviated deliberately from the Right Path like the Jews. Similarly, they should avoid the way of those who have strayed from truth and their sights were blind to follow it such as the Christians. Thus, using these Ayahs to prove imitation is an interpretation by mere opinion and setting allegations against Allah without knowledge which is Haram (prohibited). Allah (Exalted be He) says:Surah Al-A`raf, 7: 33 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawâhish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allâh for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allâh of which you have no knowledge."

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!