Tafsir Ibn Kathir of Qur'an - Surah Fatiha

Surah Fatihah-The Opening

Chapter 1

Revealed in Makkah

 There is no disagreement over the view that Al-Fatihah contains seven Ayat. According to the majority of the reciters of Al-Kufah, a group of the Companions, the Tabi'in, and a number of scholars from the successive generations, the Bismillah is a separate Ayah in its beginning. We will mention this subject again soon, if Allah wills, and in Him we trust.

 In the beginning of the Book of Tafsir, in his Sahih, Al-Bukhari said; "It is called Umm Al- Kitab, because the Qur'an starts with it and because the prayer is started by reciting it.'' It was also said that it is called Umm Al-Kitab, because it contains the meanings of the entire Qur'an. Ibn Jarir said, "The Arabs call every comprehensive matter that contains several specific areas an Umm. For instance, they call the skin that surrounds the brain, Umm Ar- Ra's. They also call the flag that gathers the ranks of the army an Umm.'' He also said, "Makkah was called Umm Al-Qura, (the Mother of the Villages) because it is the grandest and the leader of all villages. It was also said that the earth was made starting from Makkah.''

Further, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah narrated about Umm Al-Qur'an that the Prophet Muhammad SalAllahu Alayhi Wassalam said, 

 (It is Umm Al-Qur'an, the seven repeated (verses) and the Glorious Qur'an.)

Also, Abu Ja'far, Muhammad bin Jarir At- Tabari recorded Abu Hurayrah saying that the Messenger of Allah said about Al-Fatihah,

 (It is Umm Al-Qur'an, Al-Fatihah of the Book (the Opener of the Qur'an) and the seven repeated (verses).)

 Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal recorded in the Musnad that Abu Sa'id bin Al-Mu'alla said, "I was praying when the Prophet called me, so I did not answer him until I finished the prayer. I then went to him and he said, (What prevented you from coming) I said, 'O Messenger of Allah ! I was praying.' He said,

'Didn't Allah say, O you who believe! Answer Allah by obeying Him and (His) Messenger when he (peace be upon him) calls you to that which gives you life)

 He then said, (I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an before you leave the Masjid.) He held my hand and when he was about to leave the Masjid, I said,

 'O Messenger of Allah! You said: I will teach you the greatest Surah in the Qur'an.' 

He said, Yes

 ﴿ﺍﻟْﺤَﻤْﺪُ ﻟﻠَّﻪِ ﺭَﺏِّ ﺍﻟْﻌَـﻠَﻤِﻴﻦَ ﴾

(Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'Alamin)''

(It is the seven repeated (verses) and the Glorious Qur'an that I was given.)''

 Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, An-Nasa'i and Ibn Majah also recorded this Hadith. Also, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said,

"The Messenger of Allah SalAllahu Alayhi Wassalam went out while Ubayy bin Ka'b was praying and said, (O Ubayy!) Ubayy did not answer him.

Prophet Muhammad SalAllahu Alayhi Wassalam said, (O Ubayy!) Ubayy prayed faster then went to the Messenger of Allah saying, 'Peace be unto you, O Messenger of Allah!'He said,

Peace be unto you. O Ubayy, what prevented you from answering me when I called you

He said,

'O Messenger of Allah! I was praying.'

He said,

Did you not read among what Allah has sent down to me,

 (Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he () calls you to that which gives you life)