Quran Garden

Session 20, Chapter 1, verses 6 and 7,  a continuation

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيم

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed, not the way of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.  (Chapter 1:Verses 6-7)

Take a moment to think about all the luxuries and pleasures in our world: the fancy hotels you want to stay in, the fine restaurants where you wish to dine, the beach resorts and spas you would love to visit, the designer clothes, sports cars, and so on.  All these items and experiences are the work of humans, limited by our capabilities and imagination.  Now contrast that to the pleasures and luxuries that God Almighty, who is limitless in knowledge and ability, has prepared for you in Paradise.  Everything pales in comparison.  God says, describing the heavens,

There they will have whatever they wish, and with Us there is yet more (50:35)

In Paradise, not only will you find what you desire the instant it crosses your mind, but the Lord will also furnish you with unexpected pleasures beyond your wildest imagination.  Keep in mind that all the descriptions of Paradise in the Quran are only a metaphor, an approximation, so you can draw a mental picture of its pleasures.  In reality, heaven contains that which no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no man has ever imagined.

An idea or a concept must exist in one's mind first in order to express it through words.  For example, we did not know the names of the television and the mobile phone until they were invented.   Similarly, there aren't any words in any human language that express the pleasures of Paradise because no eye has seen these pleasures, no ear has heard, and no mind has ever conceived them.  Thus, everything you recite in the Quran only approximates the luxuries of Paradise but is far from reality.  Listen to the following aya,

The likeness of Paradise which the God-revering, pious ones are promised is this: in it are rivers of water incorruptible; and rivers of milk whose taste never changes; and rivers of wine delicious for the drinkers; and rivers of pure, clear honey.  And in it, there are also fruits of every kind for them, as well as forgiveness from their Lord.  Are those who will enjoy all this like the ones who will abide in the Fire and be given boiling water to drink, so that it rends their bowels?  (47:15)

Take note that God began the verse with "The likeness of Paradise," because the description that followed is not the actuality of Paradise, but a distant resemblance fit for our worldly minds.  

When reciting Al Fatiha, you begin your supplication in verse six by asking God to guide you to Paradise.  Then you appeal to Him to protect you from veering off his path and help you stay away from those who have angered him.  You recite: "Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed, not the way of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray."    

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيم

صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

How does one earn God's anger?  Through repeated transgression and wrongdoing despite receiving God's guidance.   God says,

Say: Shall I point out something to you much worse than this, judging by the treatment it received from God?  Those who received the curse from God and His anger, those of whom some He transformed into apes and swines, those who worshipped evil and false gods— These are worse in rank, and far more astray from the even Path (5:60)

This verse refers to a tribe of the Israelites around the time of the Prophet David.  They had received God's message and believed.  However, they earned His anger by repeatedly devouring people's rights and altering the scriptures to obtain temporary wealth and power. 

The supplication continues, "nor of those who went astray."  This phrase includes two types of people: those who lost their way and those who misled others.  

The person who loses his or her way acts and indulges without taking the hereafter into account.  The words 'astray' or 'lost' are typically associated with a road; a person on a journey losing track of the destination.  Meanwhile, those who mislead others not only abandon God's path themselves but also actively try to lure and lead others astray.

All sinners will come on the Day of Resurrection burdened with their own sins, except for the misleaders; they will come bearing their sins and the sins of anyone they led astray.  God says,

Hence, they will bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection and some of the burdens of those whom they, being ignorant, caused to go astray.  Look now!  How Evil is the burden they load upon themselves (16:25)

Take note that in Al-Fatiha, you ask for God's protection against being amongst those who went astray, but you do not explicitly ask for protection against becoming a misleader.  Why?  Because a person must go astray first before misleading others.  Hence, seeking God's protection from misguidance protects you from both: going astray and misleading others. 

Now, as we conclude this marvelous Surah, we take inspiration from our beloved Muhammad.  The Angel Gabriel taught him to say "Amen" after reciting "The opening".  "Amen" is from Gabriel's words to Muhammad, not from the words of the Quran.  It means "Lord, Accept our supplication when we say 'Guide us to the straight path, the path of those whom You have blessed, not the way of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.  '"   This is because our need for guidance and protection does not end by asking for them; we also need to ask for acceptance of our supplication.  The word 'Amen' fulfills this purpose.  

The same practice is followed during congregational prayers.  When the Imam finishes reciting Al-Fatiha, we all say 'Amen.'  This is because the supplication in the last two verses is recited by the Imam on behalf of everyone praying behind him.

When Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, supplicated the Lord to destroy the wealth of the people of Pharaoh, God Almighty replied in the following verse:    

God said: The prayer of you both has indeed been accepted, therefore continue in the right way and do not follow the path of those who do not know.  (10:89)

Note that while Prophet Moses was the one who supplicated, God addressed both Prophets, Moses and Aaron, in response.  Why?  Because Prophet Aaron followed his brother's supplication by saying "Amen," and thus he became one of the supplicants.

We offer you our sincere gratitude and heartfelt congratulations on completing the Tafsir of Surah Al-Fatiha!!  You achieved a divine milestone that will unlock profound blessings with every salat prayer, fuel your spiritual growth, and deepen your connection with Allah.  Please share this sacred knowledge with at least one friend to spread its light!

Are you ready for your next adventure?  Please join us on the next journey with the Tafsir of Surah Al-Baqarah.  We promise to share with you life-changing knowledge full of blessings and wisdom.   May Allah guide us further on His straight path.  Amen.