Al-Fatiha الْفَاتِحَة

Al-Fātiḥah (Arabic: الْفَاتِحَة‎, The Opening or The Opener. George Sale translates simply as The Preface, or Introduction) is the first chapter (sūrah) of the Quran. Its seven verses (āyāt) are a prayer for the guidance, lordship, and mercy of God.[1] This chapter has an essential role in Islamic prayer (salāt). Quranic chapter titles are a human fabrication and are not considered by Muslims to be part of the divine revelation of the Quran.[2] The primary literal meaning of the expression "al-Fātiḥah" is "The Opener," which could refer to this Surah being "the opener of the Book" (Fātiḥat al-kitāb), to its being the first chapter recited in full in every prayer cycle (rakʿah), or to the manner in which it serves as an opening for many functions in everyday Islamic life. Some Muslims interpret it as a reference to an implied ability of the Surah to open a person to faith in God.[3]