How to recite Surah Al-Fatiha

Surah Al-Fatiha, "The Opening", is the first chapter (surah) of the Quran. It has seven short verses (ayahs). It is called The Opening because the Quran opens with it. You will say it more than any other words in your life as a Muslim, because it is recited in every rak'ah of every prayer.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that there is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book, meaning Al-Fatiha (Sahih al-Bukhari 756 and Sahih Muslim 394).

That can sound like a lot of pressure when you are new. It does not need to be. Some people learn Al-Fatiha quickly and some take longer, and both are fine. The Prophet said that the one who recites the Quran skillfully will be with the noble angels, and the one who recites it with difficulty, stumbling over the words, will have two rewards (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937 and Sahih Muslim 798).

Al-Fatiha, verse by verse

Here are the seven verses. Each card shows the Arabic, a transliteration to help you pronounce it, and the meaning in English from the Saheeh International translation. The transliteration is only a guide: Arabic has sounds that English does not, and an apostrophe (') marks a sound made deep in the throat. Listening to a slow, clear recording is the best way to learn the sounds, for example the audio on the Quran.com page linked in the sources below.

In the numbering used in most printed copies of the Quran, Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim is verse 1. Scholars differ on whether it counts as a verse of Al-Fatiha and on whether it is said aloud in prayer, so you may hear imams do it differently. Follow the practice of your local masjid.

How to practice

Where Al-Fatiha goes in the prayer

In every rak'ah, you recite Al-Fatiha while standing, before you bow. In the first two rak'ahs, the Prophet recited another surah after it, and in the last two rak'ahs he recited Al-Fatiha alone, as Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported (Sahih al-Bukhari 776 and Sahih Muslim 451). You will learn some short surahs later in your path. When you pray behind an imam, scholars differ on whether you recite Al-Fatiha yourself or listen to the imam, especially when he recites aloud, so follow the practice of your local masjid.

When you finish Al-Fatiha, say Ameen. It means "O Allah, answer", and scholars agree that it is not a verse of the surah. When you pray behind an imam and he says Ameen, say it with him. The Prophet said that whoever's Ameen matches the Ameen of the angels will have his past sins forgiven (Sahih al-Bukhari 780 and Sahih Muslim 410).

While you are still learning

If you cannot yet recite Al-Fatiha, do not stop praying. A man once told the Prophet that he could not learn anything of the Quran, and asked him to teach him something that would be enough for him. The Prophet taught him to say these words (Sunan Abi Dawud 832, hasan):

Many scholars teach, based on this hadith, that someone who has not yet learned Al-Fatiha says these words in its place while they keep learning. Think of it as a bridge, not a replacement. If you are unsure what fits your situation, the imam of your local masjid will be glad to help.

In the next lesson, you will learn what each verse of Al-Fatiha means, so that your recitation becomes a conversation with Allah.