The Key (Al-Fatehah)
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[36:60] Did I not covenant with you, O Children of
Adam, that you shall not worship the devil? That he is your most
ardent enemy?
Note in 36:60 God is reminding us that our souls have already
made a covenant with Him not to worship the devil. This life is
our only chance to honor our covenant with Him.
Since the human race is in conti-nuity from Adam, our soul pos-sesses
part of the breath of the creator. That is why God says
[50:16] We created the human, and we know what he
whispers to himself. We are closer to him than his jugular vein.
Reason for Contact Prayers
We have learned that part of the breath of God exists in us. This
part requires making continued contact with the creator. There-fore,
one of the most important means to nourish our souls on a regular
basis is to make continued contact with Him. This is done at least
five times a day. During other times, we keep in mind the timing
for the next Salat and the rhythm goes on.
God provided Adam specific words to say to redeem him.
[2:37] Then, Adam received from his Lord words, whereby
He redeemed him. He is the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
The system of God
Why did God have to do those extra steps to redeem Adam? First
to give him specific words then ask him to say those words and then
accept his words. He could have redeemed Adam directly.
Because that is the system of God and His system never
changes
[2:138] Such is GOD's system, and whose system is
better |
than GOD's? "Him
alone we worship."
[17:77] This has been consistently the case with
all the messengers that we sent before you, and you will find that
our system never changes.
[33:62] This is GOD's eternal system, and you will
find that GOD's system is unchangeable.
[48:23] Such is GOD's system throughout history,
and you will find that GOD's system is unchangeable. (See also 35:43)
God is our Provider too
If God is the provider of Adam, He is our Provider too. His unchangeable
system is applicable to every human soul destined to come to the
earth. He is the Gracious, the Merciful who provided us the means
to achieve redemp-tion.
Let us now review the translation of Al-Fatehah (The Key).
[1:1] In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
[1:2] Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe.
[1:3] Most Gracious, Most Mer-ciful.
[1:4] Master of the Day of Judg-ment.
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
[1:6] Guide us in the right path;
[1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have
deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.
Can these words be applied on behalf of Adam? Could Adam have
said with Eve, Guide us to the right, straight or correct path (to
heaven)?
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Did Adam and Eve stray? The answer is
YES.
Since the system of God is unchangeable, Adam was not redeemed
without providing specific words and asking him to say those words.
Therefore using the same “unchanged” system, God has
provided specific words to the children of Adam to get back on the
straight, correct or right track to heaven.
If Adam had manipulated the words provided by the Provider, would
he have been redeemed? The answer is NO. The same applies to the
children of Adam.
It is suggested that Adam could have been given the similar words
to redeem himself. However, the principles, system and mechanism
remain the same.
Did God provide us the key to contact Him?
Yes, Al-Fatehah is the key required to make and open our con-tact
with Him. God cites many simple but unique examples to understand
the Quran. The Key is one of them. If we manipulate the combination
or the structure of the key to our house or car, it does not work.
Similarly if we manipulate the Key provided by God, it will not
work.
What is in and what is not in the Key?
We also know that God does not provide us incomplete informa-tion.
Therefore, the Key (Al-Fatehah) He provided is complete.
Al-Fatehah always includes the Basmallah (the first verse of the
Quran). This is evidenced from the fact that it is the only “numbered”
Basmallah in the Quran.
Similarly seeking refuge from Satan the rejected is not part of
the Key.
The addition of any other praise to God before reciting the Key
is not
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