ABU DHABI // The first chapter of the Quran, Al Fatiha (the opening), influences mercifulness among Muslims, worshippers will be told today.
The Friday sermon will discuss the benefits and meaning of the opening chapter, which starts by praising Allah and his mercy, and then asks His guidance to the right path. With the mercifulness mentioned in the verses, there is a direct instruction for Muslims to be merciful with those around them, the sermon says.
Al Fatiha should be read in the beginning of each ruka'a, or prostration, during prayer. By this measure, a practicing Muslim should be reciting it at least 17 times a day.
"Al Fatiha means a lot because it is the base of all my prayers," said a devout Muslim, Fatima al Rashedi, 26, a financial analyst from Abu Dhabi. "I believe any Muslim who prays regularly, even if they were not covering other obligations or were not good Muslims, they will come to the right path because they are asking for Allah's guidance through Al Fatiha more than 15 times a day."
Miss al Rashedi tries to read Al Fatiha seven times after each prayer, as it is a shield from any mishaps occurring during the day.
It is believed that Allah replies to each verse of the chapter once recited, the sermon says.
"I try to read it slowly and reflect on Allah's replies and the meaning of the verses," Miss al Rashidi said.
It is believed that reciting verses from this chapter can also have medicinal value.
