Surah 1 · 7 verses
Surah Fatiha in English: translation, transliteration and word-by-word meaning
The Opening · ٱلْفَاتِحَة
Surah Al-Fatihah — also written Surah Fatihah, Surah Fatiha, Surah Fathihah — is the 1st surah of the Quran and has 7 verses. Every verse below shows the Arabic with tajweed colours, an English transliteration, a plain British English translation, and the meaning of each individual word. Press play to hear it recited, then read along.
Quick answers
- What does “Al-Fatihah” mean?
- The Opening.
- How many verses are in Surah Al-Fatihah?
- 7 verses (ayaat).
- Is it Makki or Madani?
- Makkan.
- How do I pronounce and recite Surah Al-Fatihah?
- Use the transliteration under each verse to get the syllables, then play the recitation and copy it phrase by phrase. The coloured letters show where to stretch (madd), hum (ghunnah) and bounce (qalqalah).
The opening chapter, recited in every unit of prayer. A short, complete supplication.
Verse 1:1
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Word by word
- bismiبِسْمِ
In the name of
- Allaahiٱللَّهِ
Allah
- ar-Rahmaaniٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ
the Most Gracious
- ar-Raheemٱلرَّحِيمِ
the Most Merciful
Verse 1:2
Al-hamdu lillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
Word by word
- al-hamduٱلْحَمْدُ
All praise
- lillaahiلِلَّهِ
belongs to Allah
- Rabbiرَبِّ
Lord of
- al-'aalameenٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
all the worlds
Verse 1:3
Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem
The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Word by word
- ar-Rahmaaniٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ
the Most Gracious
- ar-Raheemٱلرَّحِيمِ
the Most Merciful
Verse 1:4
Maaliki yawmid-deen
Master of the Day of Judgement.
Word by word
- Maalikiمَٰلِكِ
Master of
- yawmiيَوْمِ
the Day of
- ad-deenٱلدِّينِ
Judgement
Verse 1:5
Iyyaaka na'budu wa iyyaaka nasta'een
You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help.
Word by word
- Iyyaakaإِيَّاكَ
You alone
- na'buduنَعْبُدُ
we worship
- wa iyyaakaوَإِيَّاكَ
and from You alone
- nasta'eenنَسْتَعِينُ
we seek help
Verse 1:6
Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem
Guide us along the straight path.
Word by word
- ihdinaaٱهْدِنَا
Guide us
- as-siraataٱلصِّرَٰطَ
the path
- al-mustaqeemٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
the straight
Verse 1:7
Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alayhim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alayhim wa lad-daalleen
The path of those You have blessed — not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.
Word by word
- siraataصِرَٰطَ
the path of
- allazeenaٱلَّذِينَ
those whom
- an'amtaأَنْعَمْتَ
You have blessed
- 'alayhimعَلَيْهِمْ
upon them
- ghayriغَيْرِ
not of
- al-maghdoobiٱلْمَغْضُوبِ
those who earned anger
- 'alayhimعَلَيْهِمْ
upon them
- wa laaوَلَا
and nor
- ad-daalleenٱلضَّآلِّينَ
those who went astray
Other short surahs word by word
Want to read this yourself, not just follow along?
Quran Closer teaches reading from the first letter, at your own level, with tajweed colours, recitation practice and word-by-word meanings throughout.