Quran 1:1
Al-Fatiha 1 :1
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
— Sahih International
Context
The Bismillah, which opens the Quran and is recited before most actions in Islamic practice.
Quran 1:1
The Bismillah (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ) - the invocation that opens the Quran and precedes all but one surah.
Significance
This phrase is among the most frequently recited words in the world, spoken by Muslims before:
- Reading the Quran
- Beginning prayers
- Eating meals
- Starting any significant action
The Divine Names
The verse contains three names/attributes of God:
- Allah (الله) - The God, the proper name
- Ar-Rahman (الرحمن) - The Most Gracious, indicating all-encompassing mercy
- Ar-Rahim (الرحيم) - The Most Merciful, indicating specific mercy to believers
Both Rahman and Rahim derive from the root r-h-m (رحم), related to “womb,” suggesting nurturing, maternal compassion.
Al-Fatiha
This verse begins Surah Al-Fatiha (“The Opening”), which is recited in every unit of Muslim prayer and is considered the greatest surah of the Quran.