001 – Al Faatiha – The Opening

The primary meaning is THE OPENING and it opens the Qur’an on optimism and gratitude. Hamd is a combination of praise and gratitude.

This sura recited in every cycle of salaa and also recited on occasions as diverse as funerals, weddings, birth, inauguration of official events , beginning of journeys, etc. It is the first complete chapter to be revealed; a synthesis of the message of the Qur’an and its most important sura thus also given the title – Mother of the Book

It has a  threefold structure:

The first answers WHO IS GOD?
The middle verses deal with the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN BEINGS AND GOD
The final section deals with the VARIOUS STATES OF THE HUMAN BEING