In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
2
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٢
All praise be to Allah[1], the Lord[2] of the worlds[3],
Footnotes
[1] Allah is God’s most unique name.
[2] The Arabic term "rabb" (translated as "Lord") includes all of the following meanings: "owner, master, ruler, controller, sustainer, provider, guardian and caretaker."
[3] "the worlds" means mankind, jinn, and all that exists.
3
ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣
the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful[4],
Footnotes
[4] Ar-Rahmān and Ar-Raheem are two names of Allah: Rahmān is used only to describe Allah, while raheem might be used to describe a human as well. Rahmān carries a wider meaning - merciful to all creation. Justice is a part of this mercy. Raheem includes the concept of specialty - especially merciful to the believers. Forgiveness is a part of this mercy. In addition, Rahmān is adjectival, referring to an attribute of Allah and is part of His essence. Raheem is verbal, indicating what He does: i.e., bestowing and implementing mercy.
4
مَٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤
Master[5] of the Day of Judgment.
Footnotes
[5] Other meanings for "Mālik": Sovereign, Owner, etc.
5
إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ ٥
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
the path of those whom You have blessed[6]; not of those who incurred Your Wrath[7], or of those who went astray[8].
Footnotes
[6] The way of the Prophets and those who follow them.
[7] Those who know the Truth and do not follow it, like the Jews.
[8] Those who are ignorant of the Truth and follow misguidance, like the Christians.
