The companion of the Prophet (Sahabi-e-Rasool), Hazrat Abu Zaid رضی اللہ عنہ narrates: “Once it was night time, and I was walking with the Beloved Master, the Makki Madani Mustafa صلى اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم through a street of Madinah Munawwarah. Suddenly, a voice came from a house; a Sahabi رضی اللہ عنہ was reciting Surah Fatiha in the Tahajjud prayer. Hearing this, the Messenger of Allah, the embodiment of light (Noor-e-Mujassam) صلى اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم stopped and began listening to the recitation of Surah Fatiha. When the Sahabi رضی اللہ عنہ completed the recitation of Surah Fatiha, the Last Prophet of Allah, the Hashimi Messenger صلى اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم remarked: ‘مَا فِی الْقُرْآنِ مِثْلُہَا‘ — meaning, there is no Surah like it in the Holy Quran.”
Numerous virtues (Fazail) of Surah Fatiha have been transmitted in the Ahadith-e-Mubaraka, which the Ulema-e-Kiram have also mentioned under Surah Fatiha in various commentaries (Tafaseer). A few of these virtues are mentioned below:
Surah Fatiha consists of seven verses (Ayaat), of which the first three Ayaat contain the praise and glorification (Hamd-o-Sana) of Allah Almighty, and the last three contain the subject of supplication and request (Dua-o-Darkhast) from the human side, which the Lord of Honor (Rab-ul-Izzat) has Himself taught to mankind out of His mercy. The middle verse is common to both aspects—partly reflecting praise and glorification, and partly reflecting supplication and request.
In Sahih Muslim, it is narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah رضی اللہ عنہ that the Messenger of Allah صلى اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم said that Allah Almighty declared: “The prayer (meaning Surah Fatiha) is divided into two halves between Me and My servant; half is for Me and half is for My servant, and whatever My servant asks for shall be granted to him.” Then the Messenger of Allah صلى اللہ علیہ و آلہ و سلم said: “When the servant says ‘اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ‘, Allah Almighty says: ‘My servant has praised Me.’ And when he says ‘الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ‘, Allah Almighty says: ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ And when the servant says ‘مٰلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّيْنِ‘, Allah Almighty says: ‘My servant has glorified Me.’ And when the servant says ‘اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ‘, Allah Almighty says: ‘This verse is shared between Me and My servant; because one aspect of it relates to the praise and glorification of Allah Almighty, and the other aspect relates to the servant’s Dua and request.’ Along with this, it was also declared: ‘My servant shall receive what he asked for.’ Then, when the servant says ‘اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَـقِيْمَ‘ (until the end), Allah Almighty says: ‘This is all for My servant, and he shall receive what he asked for.'” (Mazhari with reference to Ma’arif-ul-Quran).
The Holy Messenger ﷺ said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the like of Surah Fatiha was neither revealed in the Torah (Taurat), nor in the Gospel (Injeel), nor in the Psalms (Zaboor), nor is there any other Surah like it within the Quran itself.” Furthermore, the Holy Prophet ﷺ stated that Surah Fatiha is a cure (Shifa) for every disease.
There is Shifa in every single letter of the Holy Quran. Those Muslims who recite the Quranic verses daily and remain in a state of Wudu (ablution), Allah Karim creates abundance (Kushadagi) for them. Such people never complain about worldly issues, nor do they suffer from depression. Their heart and mind remain at peace, as is the case with those who recite Surah Fatiha daily. The saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is that there is Shifa in Surah Al-Fatiha for every disease except death; thus, the decree of the Master of Both Worlds (Aqa-e-Dojahan) ﷺ guarantees that ease is created for those who keep reciting Surah Fatiha. Whosoever becomes an Aamil of Surah Fatiha and practices its Zikr abundantly will never face economic hardship; they will receive sustenance (Rizq) from the Unseen (Ghaib), and if they fall ill, they will recover swiftly. Surah Fatiha is also called Surah-e-Shifa.
Zakat of Surah Fatiha
The elders (Buzurg) have written countless methods to perform the Zakat of Surah Fatiha. However, in our view, the authentic method is:
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It is better to begin on a Noochandi Shab-e-Juma (the first Thursday night of the lunar month) or Friday. Otherwise, after taking Ijazat (permission) from us, you can begin whenever you wish. Prior to commencing the Zakat of Surah Fatiha, perform Wudu and offer two cycles of voluntary prayer (Nafl Namaz), and make Dua to Allah Tabarak wa Ta’ala for success in the operation (Amal).
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Recite Surah Al-Fatiha 41 times along with Bismillah. Recite Darood Shareef 11 times at the beginning and the end. This must be done daily between the Sunnah and Farz of the Fajr prayer. This Amal must be performed without any gap for 41 consecutive days.
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After completing the Zakat, maintain its consistency (Mudawamat) by reciting it 41 or 21 times daily.
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The benefits and virtues of Surah Fatiha are boundless. Whoever continues its recitation will achieve immense spiritual bounties and blessings (Fuyoos-o-Barakat) by the grace of Allah Tabarak wa Ta’ala. However, briefly, some highly effective (Teer-ba-Hadaf) operations are mentioned here:
For Needs (Hajaat)
For all kinds of religious and worldly needs (Hajaat), make it a routine to recite Surah Fatiha 70 times daily. Allah Almighty will fulfill the need.
For Success in Every Task
If you make it a routine to recite Surah Fatiha 41 times daily after the Fajr prayer, no task of yours will stop from being accomplished. Every lawful need will be fulfilled by the command of Allah.
For Shifa from Illness
For cure from illness, the Auliya and Sufiya-e-Kiram state that Surah Fatiha holds the status of a healing remedy for every type of disease. With the intention of Shifa from an illness, one should recite Surah Fatiha 33 times after every Namaz and supplicate to Allah for recovery. This Amal must be performed continuously for 21 days. On the final day, Surah Fatiha should be written with saffron (Zafran) on a ceramic/porcelain plate, and its water should be drunk. Insha-Allah, Allah Tabarak wa Ta’ala will grant Shifa from illnesses.
For Freedom from Debt
To attain freedom from debt, fast for 3 days and then recite Surah Fatiha abundantly for 7 days. Insha-Allah, means for the repayment of the debt will manifest, and the debt will be paid easily.
For Abundance of Sustenance and Blessings in Business
Surah Fatiha is an elixir (Akseer) for business growth and blessings in sustenance (Rizq). In this regard, one should maintain the Mudawamat of Surah Fatiha 41 times after every Namaz for 40 days. Insha-Allah, by the command of Allah, there will be blessings in business.
For Domestic Prosperity
Similarly, with the intention of domestic prosperity, sit in a clean place on Shab-e-Juma (Thursday night) after the Isha prayer and recite Surah Fatiha 111 times, continuing this recitation for 40 days. On the fortieth day, distribute sweetmeats (Shireeni) in the way of Allah. Insha-Allah, by the command of Allah, an atmosphere of joy and happiness will be created in the house. Whichever task you undertake, success will follow. However, one should occasionally feed the poor (Miskeen) according to one’s capacity (Taufiq).
Protection from Sudden Calamities
With the intention of deliverance from a sudden calamity or misfortune, gather all family members and recite Surah Fatiha 125 times daily for 40 days. By the grace and mercy of Allah, the calamity will be averted, and whatever lawful need there is, Allah Almighty will fulfill it through His grace.
For Epidemic Diseases
To remain safe from all kinds of epidemic diseases, keeping the Naqsh of Surah Fatiha with oneself brings blessings. If there is a risk of an epidemic spreading in a place and no remedy is visible, one should write the literal talismanic square (Harfi Naqsh) of Surah Fatiha in a state of Wudu, or have it written by a Ahl-e-Ilm (person of knowledge), and wear it around the neck. This Naqsh is beneficial for people of all ages. If someone is afflicted with an illness, wearing it will bring swift recovery, Insha-Allah Ta’ala. The elders of religion (Buzurgan-e-Deen) have described immense virtues and properties of this Naqsh.
For Marriage (Nikah)
If there is a desire for marriage at a specific place but the family members do not agree, sit facing the Qiblah after the Fajr prayer in a state of Wudu and recite Surah Fatiha 125 times, then pray to Allah Almighty for the achievement of your purpose. Do not speak to anyone during the operation. Insha-Allah, means for marriage at the place of choice will be created. Additionally, recite it 125 times, blow (Dum) onto water, and give it to the family members to drink.