The Opening
The opening begins in Allah’s name and turns immediately to praise. Notice how mercy frames the reader’s first approach to the Quran. Read these lines slowly before continuing to the request for guidance.
Based on Quran 1:1–2. Original study prompt, not a complete tafsir. Compare the passage ↗English Translation - Noor International Center · QuranEnc.com · v1.1.2 ↗
Issued by Noor International Center. Publisher footnotes appear with their verses.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(1) In the name of Allāh,[2] the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.[3]
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
(2) [All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord[4] of the worlds -
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
(3) The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
(4) Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.[5]
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
(5) It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
(6) Guide us to the straight path -
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
(7) The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.