Qur’an (English) — Surah Al-Fātiḥah

Surah Al‑Fātiḥah opens with “Bismillāh.” It is not only a beginning; it is a principle that corrects the direction of life. In our era, when we build major systems—communication networks, satellites, or complex automated machines—we first define purpose, then establish rules, and only then initialize the system. If purpose is wrong or core configuration is broken, performance collapses. “Bismillāh” sets the core configuration of the heart: my actions are not for ego, but in the name of the Lord who created every system.

“Ar‑Raḥmān” and “Ar‑Raḥīm” teach that the universe is not held by power alone, but by mercy with wisdom. Modern science shows that Earth’s habitability rests on delicate balances: atmospheric protection, magnetic shielding against radiation, the right distance from the sun, stable rotation and tilt, and the continuous water cycle. A major change in any of these could erase life. This is why the Surah begins with mercy—so the human being sees not only the strictness of laws, but the care that sustains existence.

“Lord of all worlds” expands the mind beyond Earth and beyond humanity. Classical scholars explained “worlds” as every category of creation—humans, jinn, animals, insects, and more. It means Allah’s lordship surrounds all existence.

In today’s age, we understand that a “world” is not only what the eye can see. Entire realms exist within life itself that are invisible but powerful. Micro-organisms such as bacteria cannot be seen by the naked eye, yet they can cause disease, damage the nervous system, and even lead to death. This teaches a deep truth: a world can be unseen, yet completely real and massively influential.

Modern technology also helps the mind grasp this concept. Every system has its own domain: communication systems store messages in structured repositories; financial systems preserve records under strict rules; each platform has its own environment with its own laws and boundaries. Similarly, “worlds” in the Qur’anic sense can mean countless domains of creation—each running under its own rules, yet all governed by the same Rabb.

Then the Qur’an lifts our eyes to the cosmos. Earth belongs to a solar system; life here survives through delicate balances—sunlight, atmosphere, gravity, and protection. Yet humans now study Mars, the moons of Jupiter, and search distant planets for signs of life. That search itself suggests reality is wider than our single world.

The Qur’an reinforces this vastness with: “And none knows the armies of your Lord except Him.” This places a boundary on human knowledge. Many galaxies are beyond reach, distances are unimaginable, and creation may exist far beyond what we can ever access. Yet Allah’s worlds and armies are countless.

So “Lord of all worlds” means Allah is not only the Lord of humans or Earth—but the Lord of every realm we know, and every realm we do not know. He creates, sustains, and manages all worlds. This builds humility: no matter how much knowledge increases, Allah’s creation remains far greater.

This verse repeats mercy because increased knowledge can inflate arrogance. When people build advanced automation, monitor distant places instantly, and access global information in seconds, they may assume they control everything. The Qur’an breaks this illusion: the Lord of the universe is Ar‑Raḥmān and Ar‑Raḥīm. Mercy is the true protection of power; without mercy, human strength becomes self‑destruction. That is why the Qur’an begins by anchoring the heart in mercy and keeping the door of return open.

“Master of the Day of Judgment” exposes the weakness of worldly justice. Even with modern records, people sometimes escape accountability, truth is hidden, and the weak are oppressed. The Qur’an declares that final judgment belongs to Allah—where justice is complete.

This is the Day of ultimate accountability. We know any system collapses if accountability is removed. Likewise, when a person forgets the Hereafter, desire can lead to ظلم and فساد. This verse teaches the modern human: knowledge and resources are powerful, but they become safe and meaningful only when the heart accepts accountability.

This verse is the center of life: “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.” Today we have tools, machines, and interconnected systems. Yet when a major system stops—power outages, communication failure, technical breakdown—people immediately feel fragile. The Qur’an reminds us: tools are temporary; the true support is the Creator’s help. Use means, but keep the heart dependent on Allah, because His help is lasting.

Worship here is not restricted to ritual. It shapes the entire moral system: truthfulness, justice, integrity, purity, and honoring rights. In a noisy material age, this ethical framework keeps the human being upright.

“Guide us to the straight path” is the essential prayer of our time. Information is abundant, content is everywhere, but direction is rare. As with travel, if the route is wrong, the farther you go the farther you drift. The Qur’an teaches that guidance is not merely knowing the path, but staying firm upon it.

The Qur’an then clarifies three outcomes: those blessed who accepted truth and acted upon it; those who recognized truth yet rejected it out of stubbornness; and those who wandered without knowledge, driven by desire or environment. This division forces a person to review their thinking, intentions, and actions—so they recognize the straight path and remain upon it.